Robert "Bob" Ellsworth
April 30, 1936 ~ July 1, 2021
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Robert "Bob" Ellsworth, 85, of Stephan, passed away Thursday, July 1, 2021, at the Avera Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls.
Funeral Mass was held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at the Crow Creek Gym in Stephan. Burial was at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Stephan, SD. Visitation was at 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday, July 5, 2021, followed by a 7:00 p.m. wake service, all at the Crow Creek Gym in Stephan, SD.
Robert Duane Ellsworth was born April 30, 1936, to George and Della (Cunningham) Ellsworth of Woonsocket, South Dakota. He attended country school and graduated from Ree Heights High School. Following high school, he worked construction and as telephone linesman in North Dakota, Colorado, and Nebraska. United in marriage to Bernice King on October 8, 1958, at Immaculate Conception Church at Stephan, South Dakota. He was drafted into the Army and served in Germany during the Berlin Crisis. Following the Army, they returned to Stephan and started working at Mac’s Corner where he continued to work until the time of his death.
He was one of the five founding members of Hyde County Action Club, member of Immaculate Conception Church Council, honored by the Lakota Nation, honored by Highmore High School Rodeo Club, bowled with the Mac’s Corner bowling team for many years. During his 34 years as a sales rep for Pioneer Seeds he received many awards.
Bob loved his family and always put everyone before himself. His grandchildren and great grandchildren were the apple of his eye. He was their biggest fan.
Grateful for having shared his life, wife Bernice of 62 years; children, Bobby (Kathy) Ellsworth of Ft Thompson, Jeff (Lori) Ellsworth of Stephan, SD, Cindy (Dusty) Anderson of Yankton, SD and Greg (Buffy) Ellsworth of Carbondale, IL; grandchildren: Hattie Ellsworth, Augie (Dani) Ellsworth, Hannah (Wyatt) Schaack, JimBob (Jacey) Ellsworth, TJ (Melanie) Ellsworth, Tyrel (Lacey) Ellsworth, Deseray Ellsworth (Kyle Clement), Shae (Jake) Stephenson, Staci (Nick) Wolf, Cole Anderson (Brittany Hermann), and Alana Ellsworth; great grandchildren: Coby, Eli, Maddie, Abigail, Eleanor, Della, Brooklyn and Eliza Ellsworth, McCrae Schaack, Coy and Cambri Stephenson, Colt, Whitley, Cowan & Tylee Wolf; and brother and sisters: Aaron (Rita) Ellsworth, Patricia Shaw, Karen (Bob) Kroning, Janice (Gene) Moncur, and Barbra (Gordon) Sluneka; brother and sisters-in-law: Judy (Jay) Runestad, Bill (Julie) King, Jerry (Jamie) King, Marie (Greg) Arendt, and Marile (Gary) Straight; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by his parents; son, Timothy Ray Ellsworth; granddaughter, Shantel Ray Anderson; brother, Ken Ellsworth; father and mother-in-law, James and Eleanor King.
Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Bob's arrangements.
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My condolences to Bob’s family. He was always a caring and friendly person. He will be greatly missed.
So sorry to hear this news. God bless and comfort you folks. Bob will be missed for sure.
Thoughts and prayers for the family of Bob Ellsworth!!!!
My sincere sympathy to the family of Robert “Bob” Ellsworth.💙🙏
Our prayers are with you and your family. Bob always had a friendly helping hand when he saw you. He was a great friend to Alfred Satterlee before he was also called
to heaven many years ago.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.It has been a while since we had seen your dad but have many memories of stopping for gas, worms and good conversation when we were back in the neighbor hood.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Bob was one of a kind and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. He is at peace now but his passing has left others with a big hole in our hearts.
you will be missed bob you were a good man proud to have known you
Bernice & family-so sorry to hear about Bob's passing. He was a great friend and neighbor to us for many years. So many great memories. Our thoughts and prayers for your family. Carl & Marge
Dear Bernice and family,
So very sorry to get this news. So many special memories of him and all of you, down through the years. We will be keeping you all close in our prayers.
The Knippling Krew
Macs corner will be. Sad without Bob but he will still watch over all from Heaven .
My condolences to your family for Bob’s loss. He lived a long successful life and will live on forever in your hearts. I’m sure there are family reunions and celebrations going on in heaven right now. Many hugs to all!
Prayers for Papa Bob's family. He left quite a legacy and loved by many.🙏💗
Bob was a humble kind man that will be missed by many people. Sending prayers and condolences to his many family members 🙏🏽.
Bob was a wonderful Family Friend and will be greatly missed we send our condolences to Bernice & Family
Ellsworth family, was sorry to hear of Bob's passing. You are in my thoughts.
Love, comfort and grace to all of Bob's family. I can't think of Stephan without remembering his kind, cheerful face at Mac's Corner.
So sorry, Berniece and family.
So sorry, Berniece and family.
Bob was an amazing man! Like a 2nd dad, not only to me, but the many young lads of the day, a man to look up to.
When I would stop in the store he would always look me up and spend a few moments catching up on the family, talking about the some of old days or an event that he thought humorous.
He liked to laugh!
It was always a highlight of the day to get to talk to Bob!
Just recently, I was very fortunate to have been hunting in the area and got to visit Bob a few minutes, little did I know I was saying goodbye.
I’ll sure miss Bob, a man to emulate and look up to.
Rest In Peace Bob until we meet again!
I wanted to share this special story of Bob. In the winter of 1971-72, it was so cold. And I got up one morning and I could not get the feed truck or tractor started. And I didn't really know what to do. Dad was gone. So I called Bob and shortly afterwards he came over and helped me get them started so I could feed cattle. I will never forget that day and Bob. I have many other stories. I will never forget. My thoughts and prayers to you and family.
Our heartfelt condolences to all of you. I watched the video and your family was certainly the center of love and participation. I am Rod Hall's significant other and told him of Bob's passing. He sends his best to the family. He has fond memories of the community and the Stephan days and his stopping at the store for whatever and for sure a quick visit.
BOB will always be remembered, his legacy will continue on through his beautiful family. God only takes the best.
So long Cousin see you on the other side.
Our Sympathy to the Family.
So sorry for your loss. He will be missed
bob was the most kind thoughtful generous guy you will ever meet . we could all learn to be more like him.
My sincere condolences to the Ellsworth family, may your hearts be filled with precious memories ♥️
Lyle A. Iron Horn, class 71. I always remember the ham and cheese sandwiches you would carve up for us hungry students on those wonderful fall days back at dear Ole Immaculate Conception Indian School. Rest well and thank you, Bob.