Robert Stirling

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 14, 2010 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Highmore with Pastor David Peterson officiating. Burial was held at Spring Lake Cemetery, rural Highmore. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 13, 2010 followed by a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at the church.

Bob was born on July 30, 1918 at the Stirling ranch in rural Stanley County to Allen and Ada (Hoisington) Stirling. He grew up on the Stirling ranch attending a rural Stanley County grade school and High School in Fort Pierre.

Bob’s transportation to and from school, both grade school and high school was usually the back of a horse. He purchased and operated his own ranch in Stanley County soon after graduation from High School. On December 24, 1943 he married Carrie E. Harry (Peggy). To this marriage three sons were born. Bob made his living in the early days of his ranching career by raising Hereford cattle and horses. He raised horses for his own use and he also raised them to sell. He bred, raised and broke horses selling them to the U.S. military. He ranched in Stanley County until the Oahe dam was built. He lost a fair amount of his land to the waters of the Oahe dam. Bob then purchased a ranch in northwest Hyde County.

In October 1957, Bob moved his family and livestock to the “Other Side” of the Missouri River. Robert remained active on the ranch until 2003. Over the years Bob encountered many ranching related events. He had a deep appreciation for the animals and the solitude of the ranch life. Bob moved to Miller (under protest) in 2003, as living on the ranch was getting hard on the “Old Cowboy”.

Robert was a member of the Sedgwick Lutheran Church of rural Hyde County.

Grateful to have shared in his life are his three sons: Cal (Kathy) Stirling of rural Highmore, SD, Vern (De) Stirling of rural Lebanon, Missouri and Ernie (Shirley) Stirling of Miller, SD; seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Carrie; parents, four younger brothers, one younger sister and an older infant sister.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Robert's arrangements.

MINISTER
Pastor David Peterson

CASKETBEARERS
Cal Stirling
Vernon Stirling
Ernie Stirling
Matt Stirling
Jason Stirling
Robert Stirling

HONORARY CASKETBEARERS
Patricia Burns
Heather Stirling
Jenni Baquerizo
Crystal Stirling

USHERS
Terry Spilde
Greg Myers

GUESTBOOK
Lucille Myers

FLOWERBEARERS
Ramona Jensen
Wanda Myers

ORGANIST
Cindy Sampson

SOLOIST
Brenda Christensen
     "Mansion Over The Hilltop"

CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
"In the Garden"
"Amazing Grace"

INTERMENT
Spring Lake Cemetery
rural Highmore, South Dakota