Robert Muffenbier
Aug. 23, 1937 – July 12, 2022
Robert Wesley Muffen-
bier, the son of Mike and
Johanna (DeGroat) Muf-
fenbier was born on Au-
gust 23, 1937 in Rugby,
North Dakota. He died at
the age of 84 years on
Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at
his home in Balta, North
Dakota.
Wesley was raised on
his parent’s farm and
there is where he found
his passion in farming. He
attended school and gra-
duated from high school,
all while, he was always
helping his father farm.
After high school, he con-
tinued to farm, farming on
his own and also farming
with his brother, Larry for
many years. On October
5, 1963, he was united in
marriage to Rita Ann
Wangler in Balta, North
Dakota. The couple was
blessed with their
daughter, Karla, who he
was so proud of. Besides
farming, Wesley also
worked for Solar Gas, he
hauled gravel and drove
the school bus for Rugby
and really enjoyed all the
kids on his bus.
Wesley enjoyed fishing
and bowling in his
younger years, playing pi-
nochle with his friends
and 7-up with his grand-
sons. He and Rita enjoyed
traveling, they made
many trips across the Un-
ited States visiting family.
They also made trips to
Germany to visit their
daughter and her family
while they were stationed
there in the USAF. After
Wesley retired from farm-
ing, he enjoyed spending
time with Rita and help-
ing her around the house,
taking care of the garden,
plants, lawn and snow.
He loved doing anything
he could to help her out.
She was the love of his
life. He was on the Farm-
ers Union Board and Our
Lady of Mount Carmel
Catholic Church Board, a
member of the Rugby
Eagle’s, Rugby Knights of
Columbus, and the Balta
Wildlife Club.
Wesley is survived by
his wife, Rita; daughter,
Karla (Chreas) Kratzer of
Stewartstown, PA; grand-
sons, Carson and Easton
Kratzer; siblings, Dennis
(Myrna) Muffenbier of
Rugby, Larry (Diane) Muf-
fenbier of Balta, Mary Lou
(John) Bahnsen of West
Fargo and Rod Muffenbier
of Balta; Rita’s family;
many nieces, nephews;
other relatives and
friends. He was preceded
in death by his parents; si-
blings, Gerald Muffenbier
(2012), Joan Muffenbier
(1943) and Mary Ann
Muffenbier (1947).
Mass of Christian burial
was held at 10:30 a.m.
Monday, July 18 at Our
Lady of Mount Carmel
Catholic Church in Balta
with burial in the church
cemetery. Father Franklin
Miller, Celebrant
Organist: Glenda Mack
Vocal leader/Cantor: Sa-
mantha Wentz
Reader: Riley Schaan
Casket Bearers: Carson
Kratzer, Easton Kratzer,
Rod Muffenbier, Kevin
Muffenbier, Doug Broden
and Kevin Wangler
Arrangements with the
Anderson Funeral Home
of Rugby. Online registry:
funeralsbyanderson.com