Robert “Bob” Biel

Robert “Bob” Biel, of Harmony, Minn., passed away on January 26, 2025, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minn., at the age of 71. 

Robert Royal Biel was born on July 14, 1953, to Russel Henry and Martha Elizabeth (Lietz) Biel in Cresco, Iowa. Bob was baptized and confirmed at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Granger, Minn. He attended school in Harmony and graduated from Harmony High School with the Class of 1971.  Following graduation, he attended technical school in Albert Lea, Minn.  

He married his friend and classmate, Eunie Jones, on October 20, 1973, at Saetersdal Lutheran Church.  Together they raised their two children on the family farm in rural Harmony. 

Spending his days on the farm was exactly where he wanted to be.   He spent many hours in the dairy barn with his beloved Holsteins, raising and selling steers, taking care of his crops and working on machinery.  Trips to town included his special farm dog riding shotgun in the pickup. There was always plenty to do on the farm.  Bob loved to work, and found great joy in “getting things done..

Over the years, Bob found time to enjoy numerous activities including: playing softball in Granger, bowling, playing cards (especially 500), snowmobiling, riding motorcycle and later in life, driving his Gator around the farm. He enjoyed listening to and watching sports, including football, where he was able to complain about how the Vikings were doing.  Bob loved to visit and spend time chatting with the salesmen and implement dealers about machinery and future purchases.

He was a lifelong member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, where he served on church council and the cemetery board.  He was also a board member of the Granger Coop Creamery for several years.  

Bob truly loved spending time with his family and will be greatly missed by those who loved him most. 

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Eunice; daughter Elizabeth (Jason Resseman) Biel, son Kevin (Kelly) Biel, eight grandchildren: Kayla (Kasey) Koch, Kelsey Biel, Kristina Biel, Klaudia Biel, Kenneth Biel, Korra Biel, Klara Biel and Ruby Resseman; great-grandson Kade Koch, sister Karen (Elayne Achilles) Biel, brother Paul (Suellen) Biel, sisters- and brothers-in-law Kathleen (Tom) Kappers, Marian (Stuart) Morem, Mary Ellen (Paul Claus) Jones and Margaret (Alan) Ness; along with several nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, brother Gary Biel, infant sister Carol, infant grandson Kasey Biel and father and mother in-law Ole and Ruby Jones.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Matthew’s Cemetery. 

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 31, 2025, at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Granger, Minn.  Visitation will be held from 9-11 a.m. prior to services on Friday morning at the church.  Burial will take place at St. Matthew’s Cemetery. Schmelzer (formerly Lindstrom) Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.