John Robert "Bob" Crain, 88 of Duluth died Tuesday, September 29, 2015 in his home with his family by his side. Bob was born February 11, 1927 in Waterloo, Iowa to John F. and Hildur (Alm) Crain. They moved to Duluth when Bob was a child. He graduated from Cathedral High School and joined the US Air Corps near the end of WW II. He married "The girl in the Blue Velvet Dress", Mary Lou Pokorney, in Duluth on September 3, 1948. They moved to Winona where he attended St. Mary's College and then moved back to Duluth and raised their 11 children. Bob worked as a pipefitter/steamfitter at US Steel until it closed and then worked for Diamond Match in Cloquet until his retirement. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, and the former St. Clements Catholic Church, and was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed woodcarving, tinkering at the cabin and was known for his collection of tools, which he graciously shared with family and friends. Bob will be remembered for his repertoire of witty songs and sayings that will continue to bring a smile. He enjoyed winters at their Arizona home and summers at the cabin where they welcomed and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Mel Monsaas.
Bob is survived by his wife, Mary Lou; children, Chrissy (Michael) Koralia and children, Theresa (Scott) Emerson, Susan (Will) Hartman and Lisa (Tim Killian) Koralia; Frank Crain (late Jon Peandon); Cathy (Thomas) Champaigne; Coralie (Jon) Rice and her children, Nicole (Erik) Beissel and Shaun (Jess) Samuelson; John Crain and children, Andrew and Joseph Crain and their mother, Jane Crain; Michael (Judy) Crain and children, Scott (Becky) Crain and Shelly Crain; Patrick (Barb) Crain and children, Jaime Jo Crain (Pete Mellin), Katie (Rob) Cannon and Tony (Beth) Crain; David (Mary) Crain and children, Ryan (Ji Hae) Crain, Ross (Jamie) Crain and Megan "Sr. Amata Mariae" Crain; Joe (Sheila) Crain and children, Anna (Adam) Stolpestad, Dan (Annie) Crain, Mike (Anna) Crain, John (KarLee Roehl) Crain and Leah Crain; Marcie Crain and children, Josh and Jake Kuno and their father, Kevin Kuno; Jennifer (Lowell) Harnell and their children, Ben, Matt and Lizzy; 27 great grandchildren; also, siblings, William (Jean) Crain, Patricia (Don) Diesen; sisters-in-law, Barbara "Bardie" (late Larry) Brown, Katy (late Robert) Pokorney, Mary (late Ed) Pokorney; very special friend and brother-in-law William "Bill" (late Joan) Sommers; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Monday from 5-7pm with Rosary recitation at 6:30pm in the Dougherty Funeral Home. Visitation will continue Tuesday from 10am to the 11am Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Family Catholic Church, 2430 W 3rd St. Duluth. Military honors accorded by the Duluth Honor Guard will follow. Burial at Calvary Cemetery will be at a later date. Memorials are preferred and may be directed to CHUM 102 W 2nd St. Duluth, MN 55802 or the Damiano Center, 206 W 4th St. Duluth 55806.
Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E 2nd St. Duluth, (218) 727-3555.
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