Robert Justin

Robert John Justin, 88 of La Crescent, MN passed away Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at the Golden Living Center, 4 days following the death of his beloved wife, Pat.
He was born December 17, 1927 in the family home in Bangor, WI to Adolph and Lillian (Anderson) Justin. He attended the first through the sixth grades at St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral School in La Crosse. The family moved to La Crescent when Bob was in the 7th grade. He attended Aquinas High School where he belonged to the boxing team until joining the U.S. Navy in 1946 where he continued his boxing career. Bob served in Italy, Greece and the Mediterranean during WWII aboard the USS James C. Owens. Following his discharge in 1948 Bob returned to La Crescent . While painting his father’s house one day he met Pat Scanlan and they were married on August 17, 1948.
Bob worked on his father-in-law’s turkey farm for 10 years until forming Griffen/Justin Painting with Harold Griffen. He worked as a self-employed painting contractor until he turned 80. Bob’s passions included spending time with his family, gardening and his four legged friends.
Survivors his seven children; Mary Rusin, Connie Veglahn, John (Janet) Justin, Rose Tande (Bernard Kutil), Kathy (Andy) McCulloch, Patty (Dan) Harlos, Terri (Dale) Williams, sixteen grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren and three more on the way. He is further survived by his dog, D. J. In addition to his wife Pat, he was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Eileen Becker and one son in law John Veglahn.
The family would like to thank the entire staff at Golden Living Center and also to Dr. Joe Caron for his compassion and support of dad and the family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at the Church Of The Crucifixion in La Crescent. Rev. Gregory Havel will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may call on the family Saturday morning at the church from 9:30 am until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be used in Bob’s memory.