Mass of Christian Burial for Robert “Mr. T” Tholkes, 55, of Dawson, was  at 11: a.m. on Tuesday, June 8, 2010, at St. Edward Catholic Church in Minneota.

Interment followed the service at St. Edward Catholic Cemetery in Minneota.

Robert Joseph Tholkes was born on January 30, 1955, in Canby, to Cyril and Marie (Eischens) Tholkes.

He worked at the Body Shop in Minneota from the age of 12 through his entire life.

He also enjoyed bartending part time at the Minneota Municipal Liquor Store.  He enjoyed socializing, especially with his nieces, nephews, family and friends or around an outdoor fire in the summer.

He made  more than 30 annual trips to the Demontreville Retreat Center in Lake Elmo, MN.

A lifetime resident of the Minneota area, for the last 13 years Bob has been living near Dawson.  He died on Friday, June 4, 2010, at the Johnson Memorial Hospital in Dawson.

He is survived by his siblings Donald (and Luetta) Tholkes of Elk River, Sharon Tholkes of Hopkins, Kathleen (and Edward) Olander of Hinkley, Lois (and Don) Ricke of Minneota, Bonita (and Charles) Suedbeck of Lester Prairie, longtime friend Julie Nilson of Dawson and her daughter, Misty (and Dalton) Pharr and children Elizabeth, Nicolas, Tabatha, Rachel, and Caleb.  Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Raymond.