Robert Awender, age 80, of Twin Valley, MN, died Saturday, February 13, 2016, in his home surrounded by his family under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Robert Anton Awender, the son of Anton and Mary (Haas) Awender, was born on December 13, 1935, at home in Slope County, ND. He was raised there and attended country school for eight years. In 1950, Robert and his family moved to Oakes, ND. Robert graduated from Oakes High School in 1954. He then worked with his father on the family farm until he enlisted in the United States Air Force. Robert served most of his four years in Kansas City, KS. Following his honorable discharge, Robert returned to North Dakota to help his father for about two years until he purchased land near Twin Valley, MN, and began raising cattle. Robert was married to Melissa Davies and was blessed with nine children. On February 26, 1981, Carol Underdahl Aker married Robert and together they raised the family. Over the years, he worked as butcher and meat cutter as he owned his own locker plant and worked for Garberg Foods Grocery Store. He also did TV repair for the Gambles/Hardware Hank store for a time. Robert began working for the city of Twin Valley and was later hired as a police officer. Robert proudly served as Chief of Police for the City of Twin Valley for 23 ½ years. After Carol's death, Robert continued to make Twin Valley his home. On August 21, 2004, Robert was united in marriage to Bonnie Johnson and they have made their life together since.

Robert was an avid hunter and fisherman. He owned an exotic animal farm and raised buffalo for 25 years. Robert also enjoyed the hobby of taxidermy.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie of Twin Valley; five sons: Gregory (Glenda) of Ogema, MN, Ranse (Laurie) of Crookston, MN, Kevin (Mae) of Dwight, ND, Matt of Apache Junction, AZ, and John (Angela) of Dazey, ND; three daughters: Roberta Combs of Sandpoint, ID, Theresa (Lionel) Sandness of Fertile, MN, and Annie (Ken) Piper of Mt. Vernon, WA; step-children: Kelly (Dave) Woodruff of Hackensack, MN, Matt (Kim) Johnson of Moorhead, MN; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brothers, Joe (Monica) Awender of CA and Pete (Mary) Awender of Oakes, ND; sisters: Betty Moss of CA, Jean (Joe) D'Amico of El Dorado Hills, CA, Adeline (Jim) Hardesty of Tempe, AZ, Angeline (Stan) Mathias of Casselton, ND and Mary Ann (Harry) Giehll of Apache Junction, AZ.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Carol; his son, Robert Jr., "Robbie"; a brother, Richard and a sister, Agnes.