Brother (Frat) Robert J. Craanen, O. Praem. answered God's call to come home on February 23, 2013, after a long and courageous battle with M.S. Brother Bob was a member of the Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey, De Pere, WI. Bob was born on June 8, 1948, in Green Bay to Donald and Genevieve (Brunner) Craanen. His home parish was Holy Cross Parish, Green Bay, WI. In 1966, Brother Bob graduated from Premontre High School, Green Bay, WI and in 1972 from St. Norbert College. He received a BBA in Business Administration in 1972 and an MAT in Business Education in 1978 from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, WI. Upon entering St. Norbert Abbey, he was vested as a novice on August 28, 1966. He professed Simple Vows on August 28, 1968, and Solemn Vows on August 28, 1973. Brother Bob served on the faculty at Premontre High School. He was Key Club Moderator at Premontre and was the Assistant Administrator of the Wisconsin-Upper Michigan District Key Club International and a member and past President of the Southwest Green Bay Ashwaubenon Kiwanis Club. Brother Bob was awarded the prestigious George Hixon Award of Achievement for Kiwanis International in 1998 and 1999. Bob was a longtime volunteer at The Salvation Army. His passion was community service and helping others. Brother Bob is survived by the Norbertine Community; his mother, Genevieve; two brothers, Roger (Jeanne), Tim (Pam Naze); three sisters, Linda (David) Beyer, Shirley (Diane Miller), Julie (Rick) Paye; nieces and nephews, Angie (Brett) Baker and their son Silas, Stephanie Beyer and her children Damian Jr. and Alannah, Matthew Beyer, Nicholas (Diane) Craanen and their sons Zachary and Tyler, Kristina (Mitchell) Gauthier and their children, Ava, Landon, Brock and Kyan. Jacob (Hannah Sutrick) Craanen, Brandon (Amy Koenig), Taylor and Brianna Paye, and Jennifer Naze; his Godfather Herbert Craanen. Brother Bob was preceded in death by his father, Donald; maternal grand parents Joseph Brunner and Antone and Alice (Brunner) Allen; paternal grand parents, Jacob and Mary Craanen; Godmother Adelle Burkart. The Reception of the Body/Vespers of the Dead will be held at St. Norbert Abbey Church on February 26, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will follow until 8:30 p.m. and will continue on Wednesday, February 27 from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the Abbey Church at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 27, 2013. Rt. Rev. Gary J. Neville, O. Praem., Abbot of St. Norbert Abbey, will preside at the funeral liturgy. Burial will be in the St. Norbert Cemetery. Ryan Funeral Home, De Pere, is in charge of the arrangements. The Craanen Family would like to thank the Norbertine Community at the Abbey, Joanne and the Abbey nursing staff for all their kindness and loving care given to Brother Bob during the past years.