Bobbi Weibel, age 52 of Cokato, Minnesota, suddenly and tragically passed away on Thursday, February 2, 2023. She was born February 9, 1970 in Parkers Prairie, Minnesota, to Alvin and Kathleen (Karger) Kratz. Bobbi was baptized at Zion Lutheran North Effington in Parkers Prairie, and confirmed at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, Minnesota. She graduated early from Dassel-Cokato High School in 1988. Professionally, Bobbi worked most of her life in the restaurant industry. She started as a waitress at the Norseman in Cokato at a young age, where she worked with her dad, Al. Bobbi eventually worked as both a line cook and a prep cook for the Norseman, and then Daniel’s. After leaving the restaurant, she worked for Home Health with Cokato Manor, but eventually decided to pursue something that brought her much more joy—providing babysitting and drop-in day care for kiddos. Bobbi always loved being around children, and from a young age knew that she wanted to be a mom. Her first marriage to Chris Leinonen brought two beautiful daughters, Kailee and Brittany, who truly are her pride and joy. After their divorce, Bobbi spent much of her mid-twenties focused on raising her children. She met Ron Weibel, and they started dating and fell in love. He proposed at the Rose Garden at Lake Harriet, and on July 31, 1999, the two were married.
Much of Bobbi’s memory will be tied to her love and dedication to her family and friends. Bobbi loved fully and fiercely, especially her daughters, Kailee and Brittany; she was always their number one fan, cheerleader, supporter, and protector. Being a mom was an integral part of her identity. But as much as she loves her daughters, a worthy competitor came for her affection in July 2021 when her first grandchild Liam was born. Being his “Baba Bob” brought the biggest smiles and happiness to Bobbi. There were many parts of Bobbi’s life that were challenging in the years before her passing, but Liam was the brightest light in her day. In addition to Liam, Bobbi cared for several other children throughout the years. She adored being a “bonus” grandmother-figure to Kaia, Kalvin, Betty, Blake, Lena, Mari, and William, which is clear to see from her walls of photos, camera reel, and the way she lit up when talking about them. Bobbi was also an amazing friend, always willing to offer a helping hand and a listening ear.
It would be a disservice not to mention Bobbi’s other love language, food. She was a tremendously talented cook and baker, and loved making meals and goodies for others. Bobbi was an incredibly caring and nurturing person, and loved to show this through her food. She loved gardening, quilting and sewing, playing cards and board games, fishing, hearing the loons, camping, feeding and watching the birds in her yard, watching Wheel of Fortune, and being surrounded by her loved ones. Her passing leaves an unimaginable hole in the lives of those who love her.
Bobbi is preceded in death by: her grandparents Clarence and Martha (Orness) Kratz, and Margaret (Schober) Kratz, and Willie C. and Martha (Mielke) Karger, and Elna (Syverson) Karger; father-in-law and mother-in-law Duane and Jane (Barfnecht) Weibel; brother-in-law Randy Weibel; her aunts and uncles Clarice and Elden Diedrich, Charles Karger, Russel McLaughlin, Lavonne (Ost) Karger, W. Scott MacDonald, Kathy (Kratz) and Larry Hahn; and cousins Lory Allen Diedrich and Joel Jensen.
Bobbi is survived by: her husband Ron; daughters Kailee Leinonen-Wright (Will Wright) and Brittany Leinonen-Lintelman (Noah Lintelman); grandchildren Liam Leinonen-Wright and a second Leinonen-Wright baby due in June; her mother Kathy Kratz; father and stepmother Al and Julie Kratz; her sister Kristi Landato; brother and sister-in-law Wil and Jess Kratz; sister-in-law and bother-in-law Renee and Mike Salonek; sister-in-law Robin Weibel; and many other family members and friends.
A gathering for family and friends to celebrate Bobbi’s legacy will take place in two parts; on April 21, 2023, a wake will be held at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato from 4 to 7 pm, and a funeral will be held the following day, April 22, 2023, at St. John’s Church in Winsted, Minnesota, at 11 am.