Robert "Bob" Mlodozyniec, aka "Mr. Mudd" left this world on Wednesday, January 7,2026 after 95+ years.
Bob’s parents Joseph & Josephine MLODOZYNIEC and his oldest sister, Sophie were born in Poland and came over thru Ellis Island in 1922. His parents had 14 children from 1921 thru 1944. Bob was born August 20, 1930, the 7th of 14 children, eight sisters and five brothers. Currently he has two sisters, Lucille (91) and Emeline (81) still living.
He enrolled in the ARMY at the age of 17 where he was an E3 Private First Class from 1947-1948 stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington.
He married Phyllis DeSmedt in July 1952. Together they raised 4 children until his wife passed in 2003 just after their 50th wedding anniversary. Family reunions and frequent gatherings occurred all the time with all his siblings and their families.
Bob worked for St. Germain’s Paint & Glass until 1961 when a work accident left him with a disability and 2 steel plates in his back after it was broken when a ton of glass landed on him. He then helped his good friend Sammy open up several Sammy’s Pizza locations and was very supportive of the daily operations for several years. He was a jack of all trades and worked other odd jobs.
He and his friends played baseball for the Y.O.T (Young Oldtimers Club) for several years. Bob also played league horseshoes and cribbage. Bob and 4 of his brothers were great bowlers at Stadium Lanes on a league that consisted of 8 teams of 5 brothers.
Bob was a lifetime member of the French Club through Holy Family (formally St. Jean’s) Parish. Living very close to Harrison Community Club Bob was very active in the organization in the 60's and 70's where he flooded the skating rink for several years so we all could enjoy winter skating. He was a Bingo caller and collector for St. Jean’s Keno in the 1970’s and 80’s and loved playing cards and doing puzzles. He belonged to the American Legion and VFW where he actively played Bingo into his early 90’s.
Bob's hobby in the 90's and early 2000's had him making several wood creations such as Christmas deer, Easter bunnies and flamingo's that he gifted to many friends, family and others who, helped him.
Bob was a great cook and loved to make homemade Polish sausage and pigs in the blankets. Friday night was always homemade cheese pizza or walleye fish which he caught on the banks of Fish Lake.
Bob lived in his home until he was 92 years old when he suffered a mild stroke. He resided at Heritage Haven since June of 2022, first in House #1 and later moved to House #3. Since then, he had been ruled a fall risk and was wheelchair confined. He seemed to move around quite well in the chair, loved to people watch, was a member of the clean plate club, played Bingo and other games, and kept the staff on their toes especially when it came to their desserts.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Phyllis; brothers, Chet, Joesph (Moniak), Walt, Eugene, Gerald (Butch); sisters, Sophie, Irene, Lorraine, Joanne, Patricia and Dianne; in-laws, Rose & Maurice DeSmedt; brother-in-law, Donald; son-in-law, Ronald Forester and John Gulland; and grandson-in-law, Dan Lane.
Bob is survived by his children, Susan(John) Gulland, Sandy Forester, Gary (Brenda)and Greg; his grandchildren, Christa Lane, Eric Gulland, Kari Perry and Kenny Quade; great-grandchildren, Jewlliana Hartel, Lucy & Silvie Lane, Mecca Quade; and great-great-granddaughter, Meliah Mae Hartel; sisters, Lucille Hoppe and Emeline (Babe) Brock; and brother-in-law, Harry Brock; along with 195 nieces, nephews, their spouses and their children.
Bob's family would like to thank the thoughtful and caring staff at Heritage Haven, especially his number one caretaker, Melody.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am on Friday, January 16, 2026 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 2430 W 3rd. St., Duluth with a Visitation beginning at 10am. Luncheon to follow.
