Robert James Wyffels was born on December 17, 1934, in rural Cottonwood to Peter and Irma (Van Overbeke) Wyffels. As a child, he moved with his family to a farm just west of Marshall where he attended St. Joseph’s Academy and later graduated from Marshall High School in 1952. His formation for the priesthood continued at the minor seminary at St. John’s University in Collegeville and he pursued philosophy and theology at the St. Paul Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood on February 21, 1960. Father Bob served the diocese of New Ulm as a parish priest and school administrator in many locations including Winsted, New Ulm, Sleepy Eye and Morgan. On February 26, 2006, he was invested with the title of Monsignor at the Church of St. Mary in New Ulm.
Father Bob died on Saturday, November 29, 2014, at the Golden Living Center in Wabasso. He is survived by his siblings Richard Wyffels of Brooklyn Park, Donald (and Angie) Wyffels of Marshall, Mary Anne Van Lerberghe of Minnetonka, Dennis Wyffels of St. Michael, sister-in-law Maxine Wyffels of Marshall, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister, brother Lawrence and sisters-in-law LeeAnn and Carol and great-nephew Nick.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred.
