Robert “Bob” Lasch died peacefully at home on April 18, 2026, at age 86.
Robert was born Aug. 26, 1939, in Grand Forks, ND, to Carl and Helen (Brown) Lasch. He grew up in Moorhead, Minn., where he shared fond memories of playing ball with neighborhood kids, including Robert Velline, later known as Bobby Vee. Carl’s job later took the family to Minneapolis, where Robert graduated from Marshall High School in 1957. While there, he was a member of the swimming and wrestling teams.
Following graduation, the family returned to Moorhead. Robert began his career with American Crystal Sugar Co. in 1963. When the company built a factory in Drayton, N.D., Robert relocated there and put down roots. While living in Drayton, he met Earlene Grundstrom, and the two were married Aug. 13, 1966. They shared 49 years of marriage and raised three children: Dale, Larry and Becky.
Robert took pride in being around people and in serving his community. A longtime member of St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Drayton, he served on the parish council, as a Eucharistic minister and was active in many church functions. He served on the Drayton City Council for 18 years, volunteered with the Drayton Ambulance Service for 14 years — including 12 years as an EMT — and later served on the Pembina County Housing Authority during the 1990s.
After 33 years with American Crystal Sugar Co., Robert retired in 1998. He remained active through part-time work hauling fertilizer for Cenex–Harvest States and as a sugar company supply sales representative, as well as driving beet truck for local farmers during harvest. A loyal supporter of local youth, he attended home high school basketball and football games long after his children had finished participating. He also enjoyed spending time at the Drayton Golf Course.
Following the death of his wife in April 2015, Robert’s broken heart was never quite healed. He later moved to Fargo to be closer to his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed reading newspapers, watching sports on television and working word-find puzzles. Perhaps his favorite pastime was “cruising” the halls of Edgewood Manor and Riverview Place, joking with and teasing everyone he passed along the way.
Robert is survived by his children: Dale (Darci Peterson) Lasch of Moorhead, Minn.; Larry (Elizabeth) Lasch of Wahpeton, N.D.; and Becky (Patrick) McGrath of Fargo, N.D. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Kasey (Taylor) Gibson, Gus Lasch, Mike McGrath and Katie McGrath; two great-grandchildren, Elsie Gibson and Jack Gibson; sisters-in-law, Jeanie Lasch, Janice Elshaug and Muriel Thorsteinson; brothers-in-law, Dallas Grundstrom and Lavern (Sharon) Grundstrom; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Helen Lasch; his wife, Earlene; his brother, Richard Lasch; brothers-in-law, Jack Elshaug and Francis Thorsteinson; and his sister-in-law, Paulette Grundstrom.
A funeral service will be held at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Drayton on Friday, 11:00 am, April 24. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Drayton Ambulance Service. Arrangements by Austin Funeral Home, Drayton.
Online Guestbook: https://www.austinfuneralchapel.com/obituary/robert-bob-lasch
Funeral Home: Austin Funeral Home
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