Robert "Corky" Lager, Jr.

Robert “Corky” James Lager Jr., age 86 of Winona, MN, died peacefully on Tuesday March 6, 2018, at Saint Anne Extended Healthcare.

Visitation will be held from 10 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM on Saturday, March 10, 2018, in the Chapel of Our Lady at Saint Anne Extended Healthcare in Winona. Burial will be in St Mary’s Cemetery following the Mass. The Reverend Robert P. Stamschror will officiate.

Robert was born August 24, 1931, to the late Robert Lager and Marian (Donahue) Lager in Caledonia, MN. After graduating in 1949 from Loretto High School, he married the late Lorraine Wilma (Kragness) November 6, 1954, in Caledonia, MN.  Corky was a veteran of 9 years of service in the Army Reserves. He and Lorraine farmed in the Caledonia area. In 1994, they moved to Winona where he worked as a security guard before retiring in 2011.

Corky and Lorraine raised four children, the late Robert [Bob] James Lager III (Chris Przybilla), Gary Lager (Yvonne), Mark Lager (Sonia) and Sharon Gates (Joseph). They have eight grandchildren, Angela Dickmann (Shawn) and Robert [Bo] James Lager IV, James and Melissa Lager, Eric and Alex Lager, Mia and Claire Gates; and a great-grandchild, Brooke Dickmann. Corky the oldest child, was preceded in death by siblings, Geraldine Chase, Joseph Lager and Donna Lager, and survived by siblings Richard Lager, and Ilene Ernster (John).

Corky enjoyed Guy Lombardo, Lawrence Welk, telling jokes and being the life of the “party”. His favorite color was any color as long as it was red. He enjoyed traveling, spending time with his family, and collecting John Deere memorabilia.

The Lager Family would like to thank the following for the wonderful care Corky and Lorraine received over the years: Callista Court Assisted Living, Winona Health Foundation, Saint Anne Extended Healthcare of Winona, Winona Health Hospice Services. We also want to thank the Catholic Parish of The Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka where our parents were members. Memorials are preferred to any of the above organizations.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Corky’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.

Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.