Fred James Dobesh, 94, of Aitkin, MN, passed away peacefully in his sleep, Thursday, February 13, 2025 at the Minnesota Veterans home in Silver Bay, with his loving wife Gloria asleep in the bed next to him. They had moved to the Veterans home during the summer of 2023 to be near family.
Fred was born September 7, 1930 to Joseph and Bozena “Bessie” (Barton) Dobesh at home on the family farm in Denham, MN. Fred was the sixth of eight children and was the youngest son. Fred was very proud of his parents and how hard they worked on the farm to provide for their family, and he shared many interesting stories of ‘how things got done.’ Yet, on the weekends the family would go to the Bohemian Hall to play, listen and dance to the music, this is where Fred became a wonderful dancer.
As WWII and the Korean War came around, his older brothers were called to service. Fred wanted to go to Korea, but with his brothers already overseas, he was ultimately assigned to Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Aurora, Colorado. Fred was extremely proud of the work he did in the Admitting & Discharge Department of Fitzsimons, making sure the critically injured men & women (arriving from Korea) were sent directly to the correct surgical/medical units they required.
After the army, Fred found a small apartment in Mpls. and acquired a job at Honeywell, Inc., from which he would eventually retire. While out dancing one evening, Fred would meet his future wife, Gloria Mae Hattling. Fred & Gloria were married June 21, 1958, in Mpls., MN. In 1961 they would move out to the suburbs (Brooklyn Center) and welcome their only child, Renee.
Fred enjoyed fishing, gardening, planting flowers of all kinds, keeping a beautiful lawn and going dancing with Gloria on the weekends, all while keeping close to his brothers and sisters.
In 1993 Fred & Gloria sold their place in Brooklyn Center and moved to Ripple Lake, just outside of Aitkin, MN, this is where they would live the rest of their lives, gardening, fishing, ice fishing was his favorite and enjoying life.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph & Bessie (Bozena) Dobesh, his 7 siblings (and their spouses), Florence Walker, Edward Dobesh, Elsie Granos, Joseph Dobesh Jr., David Dobesh, Dorothy Lingle, Joyce Kowalski, and uncles Charles Dobesh & John Dobesh.
Fred is survived by his wife of 66 years, Gloria, daughter Renee (David) Iverson of Silver Bay, Grandson Ian Iverson of Hermantown and granddaughter Amy Iverson, great-grandson Gage VanHouse, great-granddaughter Bailey VanHouse, all of Silver Bay, and many nieces & nephews.
A service will be held at the MN State Veterans Cemetery – Duluth, at a future date.
To share a memory or leave an online condolence visit www.cavallinfuneralhome.com.
