Robert R Nestoss

Robert (Bob) Ragnvald Nestoss, 79, of Fargo, ND, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2023, at Bethany Retirement Home in Fargo, surrounded by family. Bob was born April 4, 1944, to Vernon and Laurine (Jacobson) Nestoss in Valley City, ND. He loved to tell people his birthdate was 4/4/44!

The first five years of school he attended the Anne Carlsen School for the disabled. He then went on to further his education at the Valley City Public School system and received his GED equivalent in 1963.

Born with cerebral palsy, at a young age he became an advocate for the disabled community, serving with multiple organizations associated with the disabled. Bob was named Valley City's Handicapped Citizen of the Year in 1966 and Fargo's Handicapped Citizen of the Year in 1981. He was also a member of the Valley City Elks club for 18 years.

Bob married his wife of 47 years, Connie Kitzman, on May 29, 1977, in Fargo, ND. They welcomed their son Andy in 1981 and enjoyed all the experiences of raising him, including becoming grandparents of 3 granddaughters.

For 32 years, Bob enjoyed working at the Veterans Administration in Fargo as a medical records file clerk, retiring in 2009. After retirement, he and Connie made multiple trips to Arizona to escape the frigid north during the winter season and to spend time with family and friends. He also enjoyed going to the mall frequently to walk and visit with regulars. One of his favorite foods was a good, rare steak; he loved telling the wait staff to make sure it was still "mooing"! A unique habit of Bob's was his years of smoking a pipe (until the birth of his 1st granddaughter). He always managed to leave a trail of tobacco in his path for Connie to track him down.

Bob was an avid bicycle rider. He and his son, Andy, enjoyed many bike rides over the years. When the weather allowed, he rode his bike to work every day! On a nice day, he loved sitting on his driveway or patio visiting with neighbors. Bob and Connie went on many drives around Fargo to catch up and visit with many nearby friends and family. He was a true storyteller to the end.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Heather; his wife's parents, Clayton and Angeline Kitzman; his brothers-in-law, Bill Hansen and Ron Almquist; and his sister-in-law, Pat Kitzman.

He is survived by his wife, Connie; his son, Andy (Elizabeth) Nestoss; his granddaughters, Laila, Lainie and Lindie Nestoss; his brother, Jon (Donna) Nestoss; his sisters-in-law, Betty Hansen, Colleen Kitzman, and Clayann Almquist; his brothers-in-law, Jim (Debbie) Kitzman and Mike Kitzman; plus, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Memorial donations may be made in Bob's honor to St. Paul's Free Lutheran Church and Hospice of the Red River Valley.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 11:00 A.M., at St. Paul's Free Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND, with visitation one hour before the service. Interment will follow at a later date at Woodbine Cemetery in Valley City, ND.

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