Robert Badavinac

            Robert Badavinac of Pengilly was surrounded by family when he passed away peacefully on July 9th at Grand Itasca Hospital. Bob was born on May 19th,1930 in Pengilly to Martha and Peter Badavinac Sr. where he was raised and lived most of his life. Shortly after graduating from Greenway High School in 1948 he enlisted with his buddies and went into the army. Bob was stationed in Austria where he served in the signal corps as a morse code instructor at the beginning of the Cold War. While there, he played military football for the Austria Bulldogs of Zone Command who won a European championship. Following that, he received a congressional appointment and football scholarship to West Point Military Academy. Bob eventually transferred to the University of Minnesota and was a member of the Gopher football team for a season. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in communication, he married Junita Shipka of Taconite and settled on the Range to raise his three children in Pengilly. Bob tragically lost his adored wife when he was only 46, but later went on to marry JoAnn Johnson of Grand Rapids and was a step-father to her children. Bob was a self-made man and had many business interests. He ran a service station and propane gas service for many years in Pengilly, had a real estate license, developing and selling land around Pengilly and Jacobsen, and was co-owner of a business that provided hospital laundry services in Cannon Falls. Everyone used to say “you always knew where you stand with Bob” and in the 1970’s he led the legal battle to stop a local mining company from dumping waste-water into Swan Lake. After Junita passed, Bob devoted himself to learning how to play polkas on the button box which brought joy that would last the rest of his life. He was a member of the Mayfair Avenue Button Box Club and for many years performed in nursing homes and at area festivals. He was an active member of the Miskovich-Marinoff post of the Pengilly VFW. Bob quietly donated to many local charities over the years, and helped along local initiatives, never wanting it widely known. He enjoyed being at his home on Swan Lake, reading anything he could get his hands on, listening and dancing to polkas, watching Greenway sports, snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, and 4 wheeling with his son Rob. He could often be found at area festivals where he loved to socialize. Late in life, Bob was blessed when he met Tim, a son he never knew about, and his family, whom he cherished getting to know.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and three siblings, Judo, Rolly, and Peter, his first wife Junita, and second wife JoAnn. He is survived by his children: Tim (Elizabeth) Bagger, Raula (Doug Clark) Badavinac, Nancy (Tom) Russell, Rob (Becky) Badavinac; grandchildren: Kim (Mike) Maxon, and Aaron Badavinac of California, Junita (Peter) Bognanni, Kate (Nate)  Gustafson Hulke, Tyler (Tessi) Russell, Jaye (Brian) Barnthouse, Bron (Alex) Badavinac, Laura (Pat) Evans; 12 great grandchildren, and several beloved nieces and nephews. Bob’s family would like to especially thank the staff at Home and Comfort of Coleraine for their love and incredible care while he was there, as well as the wonderful support of St. Croix Hospice. As per Bob’s wishes there will be a private family graveside service at a later date.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Badavinac, please visit our floral store.