Robert A. Brekken

Robert was born April 26, 1927 at Ulen, Minnesota to Olaf and Rubye Bucholz Brekken. He moved with his family to Summit, South Dakota when he was three weeks old, and at the age of ten moved to Hawley, Minnesota, graduating from Hawley High School in 1945. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1945 to 1946, serving on the USS Alamosa. Following his military discharge he attended Concordia College for one year, then attended the University of Minnesota for four years, graduating in 1951 with a degree in journalism. He was employed as a newspaper man for the Red Lake Falls Gazette in Red Lake Falls, Minnesota from 1951 to 1952. In 1952 he became owner and editor of the Hawley Herald, retiring in 1989. He was a member of the Hawley Chamber of Commerce, Rodeo Association, Hawley Golf Association, VFW, American Legion, Hawley Cemetery Association and was chairman since the early 1980's. He was also a member of the Red River Valley Flyers, a Pigeon Racing Club, where he held various offices, he was a member of the Western Minnesota Steam Thresher's Association, the C400 at Concordia College and the Clay County Historical Society. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Jacolyn Kelly. He is survived by his nephew, John Kelly; and numerous cousins.