Robert "Bob" Haneke
June 22, 1938 ~ November 12, 2018
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Robert J. Haneke, 80, of Polo, passed away Monday, November 12, 2018 at Select Specialty Hospital of South Dakota in Sioux Falls.
Funeral Mass was held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 17, 2018 at St. Liborius Catholic Church, Polo with Father Christopher Hughes, celebrant. Burial with military honors followed at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Polo. A wake service began at 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 16, 2018 at St. Liborius Church in Polo.
Robert J. Haneke was born June 22, 1938 to Fredrick and Elizabeth (Kriener) Haneke on the family farm near Orient, SD. He attended St. Liborius School at Polo
On February 10, 1965, Bob married Barbara Jean Bucher and to this union, eight children were born: Theresa, Leo, Ron, Natalie, Ray, Jim, Jon, and Joe. Later Dean Schlechter joined the family. On June 22, 2002, he married Janet Lee (Kempf) Ellsworth. They made their home in Polo until moving to Hartford and later Sioux Falls.
Bob had many different ventures throughout his life. He farmed, co-owned and operated K&H Processing with his good friends Verlin and Lucille Kolda, and later owned the Polo Store where his people skills and personality really shined. Haneke Dairy was the next venture and finally Pheasant Tail Farms which later became Flying J Outfitters; working with his sons. He was known at the pheasant lodge as the bus driver, cook, handyman, and was the all-around entertainment director for over a decade. The hunters all loved Bob.
Bob was a lifetime member of St. Liborius Catholic Church and his faith was very important to him. He was a member of National Guard as well as proud member of the Polo American Legion, which was a true source of pride and joy to him. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, singing, and playing the organ, accordion, and piano all by ear. He provided the musical entertainment at the Ponderosa for years. He and Jan loved camping with The Good Sam Club with his good friends George and Delores Wieseler and many others. Owning and piloting his own plane with the CB handle “Yellow Bird Base”, brought one of the longest-running, greatest pleasures of his life taught by his dear friend, Jim Kinney. Later, he enjoyed time spent flying and visiting with Ray Zemilicka. He knew he was loved and blessed with his family and to spend his life on his farm.
His memory will be cherished by his children and grandchildren: Theresa Schlechter and Dean Schlechter and children: Taylor and Callie; Leo Haneke; Ron (Nicole) Haneke and children: Nathan, Ashley, and Jessica; Natalie (Brian) Bertsch and children: Colin, Brianne, and Connor; Ray (Olga) Haneke and son: Dyllun; Jim (Jessica) Haneke and children: Justin, Ty, Colton, Jersey, Dillon, and Hadley; Jon (Jessica) Haneke and children: Rylan, Braden, and Morgan; Joe Haneke; Gloria (Ron) Weidmann, William (Michelle) Ellsworth, Brenda (Mark) Johnson, and Gary (Julie) Ellsworth; grandchildren: Rory Ross (Jacalyn), Casey (Laiken) Wiedmann, Stephanie (Nick) Fisher, Grand Richard Ellsworth, Cody Ellsworth, Lindsey Sandell (Andy Dietrich), Kirsten (Harvard) Taylor, Kyle (Lexi) Fickes, Chelsey Ellsworth, and Gillian Ellsworth; great grandchildren: Reese, Reeve, Logan, Lukas, Paisley, Phoenix, Lennon, Braylon, Gabriel, Kylie, and Mila; one brother-in-law: Leo “Doc” Froning; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Janet; children’s mother, Bobbi Jean Haneke; and siblings: Ben (Dena) Haneke, Elfrieda (Gerald) Martinmaas, and Lucy Froning.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Bob's arrangements.
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Deepest sympathy to all of Bob’s family. We will never forget him or how much he meant to Janet. God Bless!
Haneke Family….Thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. Take solace in knowing your Dad is at peace and resting easy in Heaven. Hold your memories close and take comfort from them. God Bless!
My sympathies to Bob’s family. I always enjoyed visiting with him when he and Janet were in Aberdeen. I am Janet’s niece. He was very good to her!
Our condolences to all of Bob’s family. Bob is a great man, neighbor and friend who will be missed by all. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers at this time of loss. God’s Blessing on each of you.
Our sympathy to Bob’s family. Enjoyed the visits with him when coming back to Polo at the Ponderosa. Did a lot of reminiscing when we attended St.Liborius School. My he Rest In Peace. Lorne & Pat Ruzicka
Dear Family, My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you at this sad time, and sorry I could not attend the funeral. I will always remember the good times with Uncle Bob, including hearing him play the piano, his infectious laugh, and SO many more!! His pet name for me was "Pete Bloom!"; I always loved that, although never found out for sure what that meant! He and brother Ben had nicknames for almost everyone they knew! I used to love it when our families farmed together in the "old days" I will miss him, but am happy for him, as he is in a better place! God Bless; cousin Fred
Haneke Family, Sending our deepest sympathy in the loss of your Dad. Thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
We are going to miss Bob so much. The time we spent together in Minneapolis will be time I will cherish. And the love he had for mom was never ending. Thank you Bob for all you did for her.
Our hearts go out to all of Bob’s family and friends – he was truly a good man. When he and our friend Janet met and got married, their love for each other was an inspiration. We will always remember the twinkle in his eyes, his great sense of humor and little grin, and the wonderful care he took of our dear Janet. Rest in peace good friend.
Rest in Pease Bob. We’re going to miss you.
Sending my condolences to all of Bob’s family. Praying you find comfort in knowing that he is again with Janet.
To My Cousins, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I’m so sorry I can’t be there to console you during this difficult time. Uncle Bob was a real entrepreneur and renaissance man but more importantly he was kind, loved his kids and Janet and was a faithful servant. He was also a part of a long line of truly incredible human beings that lived by faith, hope, grace and love and I feel blessed to have experienced their incredible example. Fly high now Uncle Bobbie along with Janet, my daddy, your sisters and everyone you love that you are now reunited with. Watch over and guide us to live by the Lord’s grace so we can all be reunited one day to live in his paradise together. Bis wiedersehen, Uncle Bobbie. I love you, Kimmy
Theresa, Natalie and the rest of the family, so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. He helped raise some great kids with great memories. Cherish the time he spent with you. Happy memories always make these tough times easier. God bless
Our family was saddened to read about your loss of Bob. Precious people leave a special place in our hearts. May Comforting words and thoughts sustain you in the months and years to come. For a ‘lift’ in the disquieting days ahead, Search: ‘loss of loved one’ at jw dot org.