Robert Lee Dodge

Robert Lee Dodge (Moose/Runs with Wolves), age 44 of Saint Peter, MN, passed away suddenly in his home on July 27, 2026. Services will be held at Kolden Funeral Home in Le Sueur, MN on August 14, 2026 with wake from 1-3 pm and service starting at 3 pm. Officiated by Pastor Melanie Sickles, Music sang by Amy Magnus and instrumental by Chris Magnus.

A Celebration of Life will follow at a different location for close family and friends. Robert’s ashes will be taken by wife and family to where his father’s ashes are spread in Montana in 2027. Robert’s service animal, Gingers, ashes will be spread there as well during that time.

Robert was born on March 17, 1982 in Mankato, MN to Ronald Dodge, Sr., and Laurie (Kaufman). Robert enjoyed being a typical young boy competing in youth wrestling and being a spitfire until being diagnosed with ALL at 7 years old with full remission at age 15. Robert continued on throughout his life with ongoing health issues and while that slowed him down it never stopped him from trying to live his life to the fullest and always helping others. He spent many summers of his childhood either next to his grandmother at her restaurant business in Marshall, MN or weeks in the mountains of Montana with his father and older brother. Robert’s favorite place was in the kitchen making food for his family and loved passing his knowledge of cooking on to others.

Robert attended Le Center High School and later gained his GED at SCC in North Mankato in 2001, and attended one year at Le Cordon Blu. Robert was told he could never have children and was blessed in his 20’s with his bonus son, Isaiah, and a short time later blessed with his own child Nevaeh, which gave him great joy. Robert spent time caring and being with his father until his passing of cancer in 2013. Robert was never afraid to talk about his struggles with drug addiction and on February 15, 2018 he began his sobriety journey.

In his recovery he had support from many people in his life and attended 5 Star in Chaska, MN. About one month before his graduation from Le Sueur Drug Court in 2019, he married his high school friend and love, Ann. He gained the joy of three more bonus daughters, Katrina, Nevaeh, and Erika. Robert continued his sobriety journey using The Red Road to Wellibriety helping him stay sober for over 8 ½ years this year. Since March 2020 it has not been easy with one health set back after another, along with being failed by support systems that were supposed to help him resulting is catastrophic health changes once again turning his life upside down.

Throughout it all the ups and downs, Robert tried to find joys attending the Mahkato Powwow every year, taking family to Montana in 2021, reading books, spending time outdoors, helping and building in the garden, attending Mankato Pride events, baking cookies with the children, working on the truck with his wife, finding stuff he or Ann needed in free piles, and cuddling watching movies with his wife. After Robert’s service animal, of 18 ½ years Ginger, passed away October 19, 2025, he took what food that was left from Ginger and gave baggies out to the homeless so that their fur babies would have food. Robert had too big of a heart for this world and would give the shirt off his back being there in what ways he could be when someone needed help. If it was his last dollar it did not matter, he knew there were people hurting worse than he was and he never wanted to see anyone hurt.

Robert was recently helping others to advocate for themselves to receive better care after his experiences. Robert was beloved by everyone that he came into contact with. He always fought for the better of the future seven generations. He has passed the torch on to all of us to now to carry his torch forward to make a better world for the future seven generations.

Robert is survived by his spouse, Ann Dodge of St. Peter, MN; children, Katrina Fries (significant other Brenden Lapp), Nevaeh Fries (Domestic partner Connor Kulas), Nevaeh Dodge and Erika Fries (special friend John Flippo); grandchildren, Atlas Jensen-Fries; his mother, Laurie (Dan) Heldberg of Le Sueur; siblings: Ronald Dodge, Jr., Kimberly (Junior) Hernandez and many nieces, nephews, brother and sister in laws, cousins, aunts, uncles, and pets Ollie (chunky), Cal, Dixie, Ralph, Jerry, and Eri.

He is preceded in death by his son, Isaiah Klingfus; great-nephew Frankie Hernandez, Jr.; beloved cousin, Chris Swenning; father, Ronald Dodge, Sr.; and his pet companions, Ottie and Ginger.

Thank you to everyone, friends and family, that has helped financially, emotionally, and physically in giving Robert a proper send off to be with the ancestors and helping our family through this hard time. Thank you as well to Kolden Funeral Home, Pastor Melanie Sickles, Amy and Chris Magnus, and anyone after this announcement is posted for going above and beyond during this stressful time in our families life.

Out of respect for Robert if you attend the services and have issues with someone at the event, please take your issues away from the venue and deal with it there as respect for Robert, his wife Ann, the children, and family so others are to be able to mourn Robert’s sudden passing.

Donations can be made to https://gofund.me/c5c0f9e4e or cash app $temperanceanne or venmo @temperanceanne

For more about Robert's journey that he has been on since 2020, check out Ann’s Facebook page: https://facebook.com/TemperanceAnne85

Please go listen to three of his favorite songs that he listened to everyday: 

https://youtu.be/ljgdvlmPARQ  

https://youtu.be/769vXLvjxvA 

https://youtu.be/WBDpb7SwSgU