Robert Francis Zasmeta

Robert Francis Zasmeta, 84 of Isle, longtime resident of Aitkin died at his home on Monday, May 13, 2024 with his loving wife at his side.  Robert was born June 7, 1939 in Duluth, Minnesota the son of Joseph and Helen (Wicorek) Zasmeta. He grew up and attended schools in International Falls and Aitkin graduating from the Aitkin High School in 1957. He then attended Autobody trade school in Duluth. He married Illona (Lonnie) Marie Weitnauer on December 29, 1958 in Aitkin, MN. They made their home in Aitkin and Robert worked as an autobody repairman for Northern Service. He then started Aitkin Auto Body with his father-in-law Cletis Weitnauer. He then started the Aitkin Sports Center. In 1975 he and Red Welshons purchased Hazelwood Corp and operated that until 2002. He married Geraldine “Geri” Larson in 1999 at Hibbing, Minnesota. He farmed, raising beef cattle along with his cattle dog Shep, who went with him everywhere. He retired from farming in 2020. He and his wife Geri bought a cabin on Mille Lacs Lake near Isle in 2012 and moved there permanently in 2021. He was a member of St. James Catholic Church in Aitkin, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Central Minnesota Cattlemen’s Association. He enjoyed restoring pedal tractors and pedal cars, gardening, hunting and fishing with friends and family and in his younger days snowmobiling.

He is survived by his wife Geri of Isle, Sons: Kevin and Andrea Zasmeta, Mark and Linda Zasmeta, daughters: Gretchen and Tim Catlin, all of Aitkin and Leslie and Luke Spalj of Deerwood. 14 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, Step Children: Terry Berkholz of Isle, Nicole and Dean Kapsner of Hillman, Angie and Neil Biermaier of Harris, 14 step grandchildren and 9 step great grandchildren and brother and sister-in-law: Herman and Bernice Zasmeta of Wisconsin. Many other special relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his Parents and first wife Lonnie in 1996.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00am - Saturday, May 18, 2024 at St. James Catholic Church in Aitkin. Fr. Keith Bertram officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 10 AM until the 11 AM services on Saturday. Interment will be in the St. Thomas Cemetery in Aitkin. Arrangements are with the Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Aitkin, MN.  Go to www.srtfuneral.com to leave a message of condolence.

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