Robert J. Foley

Robert J. Foley, 89, of Red Wing died Wednesday, April 1, 2009, at the Red Wing Health Center. He was born on August 4, 1919, in El Paso, Wisconsin, the son of John and Agnes (Langer) Foley. The eldest son of 10 siblings, he grew up in Prescott, Wisconsin and attended University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie. While at Prescott, he played and was an All-Star basketball player during high school. He was a 22 year veteran of the Air Force, serving 11 years overseas duty, to include Puerto Rico, India for 39 months, SE Asia (Japan, Vietnam and Thailand). He married Alene Truttmann on June 14, 1945, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Ellsworth, Wisconsin. He retired in October 1967 from the Air Force to Ellsworth, where he and Alene farmed and he also worked at the Minnesota State Training School and later Gould's in Lake City. He was dedicated in serving his country. His passions were playing basketball and baseball. He was an avid sports fan, loved fishing, growing flowers and writing.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Alene; son, David; daughter, Monica and son Doug (Mary); three grandchildren, Nicole, Natalie and Christopher, four brothers, Walt (Ruby), Stan (Dorothy), Roger (Joann), and Donald and one sister-in-law, Audrey. He was preceded in death by one son, Daniel; his parents; three sisters, Florence, Sister Jerome OSB and Carmen and one brother Francis "Bud".

Funeral will be 11 a.m. Monday at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel with Dar Reeck officiating. Burial will be in the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Ellsworth. Pallbearers will Ron, Rick, Nicole, Natalie and Christopher Foley and Dean Potts. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home and for one hour prior to the service. Memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer's Association or donor's choice.