Robert Theunissen
May 7, 1931 ~ February 6, 2020
Robert T. Theunissen, 88, of Hoven, passed away Thursday, February 6, 2020 at the Avera Gettysburg Hospital.
Funeral Mass was held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 15, 2020 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Gettysburg, with Fr. Jerry Kopel presiding. Burial of his cremains will take place at a later date in St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery, Hoven.
Robert “Bob” Theunissen was born at home to Herman and Ann (Bruckner) Theunissen in rural Hoven, South Dakota, on May 7, 1931. His father died in 1943 at the age of 39. He and his mother moved to a farm southwest of Hoven in 1947. His mother died in 1958. Bob continued to reside on the farm until December of 2018, when he moved into the Avera Oahe Manor.
Bob attended school at St. Anthony’s, boarding with the Sisters in an upstairs dormitory. He graduated from the 8th grade in 1945. Bob took a mechanic’s course through the mail. In 1958 he worked as a mechanic at Zabel Implement in Selby. He also worked for Neil and Peggy Nauman and trucked for Jim Beringer. Dutch Nagel, Melvin Maas and Bob formed MNT, Inc. and for several years he trucked under that name. For over 50 years he farmed with Chris, Melvin and Freddie Maas, who were neighbors. In the early 2000’s he retired and started renting his land. At that time, he took up woodworking. He started making candle holders and later evolved to making very detailed tractors, trucks, combine, crawler, road grader, scraper, wrecker and other farm and construction equipment.
He was a member of the South Dakota Draft Horse and Mule Association. He and Don Hericks spent countless hours going to threshing bees, parades and other activities, which he thoroughly enjoyed.
Bob was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Gettysburg and St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Hoven.
He is survived by several cousins, and he was preceded in death by his parents.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Robert’s arrangements.
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Thots and prayers to family and friends of Bob. Loved his dry sense of humor, will miss visiting with him at the Manor!
Remember the times Dad, Leonard Raether, sat at the kitchen table with Bob laughing over the good times they had together. Good bless Bob and family.
Uncle Bob as I called him even though he was a cousin…. He loved to laugh and come up with some good dry jokes. He gave me my first taste of plug tobacco when I was about 4 or 5…. Never cared for the stuff since….. He's in good company and forever in my memory, thoughts and prayers….
I have so many fun memories of time spent with Bob. As a kid, my mom would send me to the farm in the summer to spend time with Aunt Ann and Bob. He took great delight in teasing me and me him. He was always fun, loved a good joke, had an infectious chuckle. Bob was always there if needed and was a rock of support when my brother died. I spoke to Bob after Christmas and am so glad I made the call. Even though he was sometimes difficult to understand, his true spirit came through. Rest in Peace