Robert Newton Dayland

Robert N. Dayland age 71 of Balaton, MN died Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at the Sanford-Tracy Area Medical Center. Services will be 2:00 PM Sunday, January 12, 2014 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Balaton. Visitation will be from Noon until time of service at 2:00 PM on Sunday, also at the Almlie Funeral Home. A luncheon will be served in the Balaton Community Center immediately following the service. Interment will be at a later date in the spring of 2014. The Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton is handling the arrangements. Robert Newton Dayland was born April 24, 1942 to James and Gladys (Hively) Dayland in Tyler, MN, Lincoln County. He was baptized and confirmed in the Presbyterian Church in Balaton and attended Balaton Public Schools. In April of 1960, just prior to graduating Robert enlisted in the U.S. Army and received his GED while in basic training. He trained in the technical corp. as an engineer and was assigned to the 10th Engineer Battalion. He served over seas in Germany until his honorable discharge in April of 1963 and returned to Minnesota. He lived in Minneapolis, working for Control Data Corp. and that is where he met his future wife. On May 20, 1967 Robert married Betty Kersten in Minneapolis, where they made their home. In 1969, they moved to Arizona, where he worked for Motorola. In 1970 they moved to Balaton, MN and Robert returned to farming. They moved to the family farm in 1974 and remained on the farm until his death. Robert raised sheep until 1990 and also was a salesman for Pioneer and Legend Seed Companies, until he retired in 2004. He was a past member of the National Wool Growers Association and the Balaton School Board. He enjoyed gardening, woodworking, bowling, golf, and Big 10 Basketball. He also loved playing cards and games with his family. Robert was very proud of his family's farm being recognized as a Century Farm by the state of Minnesota. Recently his health required him to become a patient of the Sanford-Tracy Area Medical Center, where he died, Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at the age of 71. Robert is survived by his loving wife, Betty Dayland of Balaton, MN; one son, Chris Dayland of Balaton, MN; one daughter, Denise (Jerry) Gladis of Tracy, MN; six grandchildren, Kirsten and Lily Gladis, JJ (Kami) Gladis, Jesse (Lori) Gladis, Jeni (Josh) Davidson, and Josh (Jodie) Gladis; one brother, Gordon (Judy) Dayland of Peterson, MN; one sister, Bonnie (Marvin) Dwire of Marshall, MN; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and many friends. His parents, James and Gladys Dayland, one son, James Dayland, one brother, Darwin Dayland and one sister, Linda Laursen, preceded him in death.