Robert E. Belland

Robert "Bob" Edgar Belland, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away on October 19, 2026, at the age of 99 ½.

Born in St. Paul on February 25, 1927, Bob was the oldest of seven children born to Edgar and Louise (Longtin) Belland. Raised in a French-Canadian family rooted in faith, patriotism, and hard work, he carried those values throughout his life.

Bob proudly served his country during World War II, serving in the United States Navy during the final year of the war aboard several ships in the Pacific Theater, including service in the Philippines and Okinawa.

Following the war, Bob spent 45 years as an electrician with Mereen-Johnson Custom Engineered Machinery, where he wired large, complex wood-cutting machines. His remarkable ability to understand how things worked carried into every part of his life. He built his home in Little Canada, worked on cars, repaired appliances, and could fix nearly anything. Having lived through the Great Depression, he valued hard work, a dollar well spent, and never wasting anything. If something was broken, Bob would find a way to fix it. He simply never gave up.

Bob's Catholic faith was central to his life. He was a longtime member of the Lay Carmelites, served for many years as treasurer of the Knights of Columbus, and was an active member of the Schoenstatt Movement for over 45 years. This is the Community to which his daughter, Sr. Mary Dolores, belongs.

Above all, Bob was devoted to his family. He was married to his beloved wife, Antoinette (Toni), for 64 years and took great pride in being a husband and father. He showed his love through a lifetime of hard work, service, and always being there when his family needed him. Bob and Toni were avid square dancers and loved to polka. On occasion music and dancing were a joyful part of family gatherings.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Antoinette; son, Robert Gerard "Bobby"; sister, Bernice; and brothers, Larry, Richard, Jim, Walter, and George.

He is survived by his children, Fr. David Belland, John Belland, Sr. Mary Dolores, Donna (Richard) Trent, Jerry (Jeanne) Belland, and Patrick (Tonsha) Belland; grandchildren, Andrew, Sara, Laura, Mikaela, Blake, and Jennifer; and great-grandchildren Quincy, Addison, Hayden, Felix, Cora, Teagan, and Lilian.

Bob leaves a lasting legacy of faith, drawing strength from a life of prayer centered on God and devotion to the Blessed Mother, which nurtured family life, love and service of God and neighbor. His family will forever remember the man who could fix almost anything, never gave up, and loved his family above all else.

Dad, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa—you will be deeply missed and forever loved.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in the form of stipends for Holy Masses for Bob, or donations to the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Bob will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, October 27 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 380 E. Little Canada Road, Little Canada. Visitation will be held from 4-7 PM Monday, October 26 at Mueller-Bies Funeral Home - Roseville, 2130 N. Dale St. at County Rd B, and at the church from 10-11 AM Tuesday. A Rosary prayer service will occur at 4:00 PM Monday at the funeral home. Interment will follow the Mass at St. John's Church Cemetery.