Robert Aesoph

View Bob's Recorded Funeral Service

Robert Leo Aesoph, 83, of Highmore, passed away Friday, June 5, 2020 at Faulkton Area Medical Center.

Funeral Mass was held at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 10, 2020, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Orient, with Father Christopher Hughes presiding. Burial will be at 4:00 p.m., Thursday, September 17, 2020 at the church cemetery.  A wake service was held at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at the church with visitation two-hours prior.

Following the burial, a gathering with the family will take place in the Orient park. If anyone is not comfortable attending the services due to social distancing please feel free to join them there.

Robert Leo Aesoph was born March 3, 1937 in Miller, SD to Leo and Berneice (Baloun) Aesoph. He attended Banner Country School, Miller High School and graduated from Orient High School as salutatorian.

Bob entered the United States Army in 1955 between the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He was honorably discharged on July 25, 1958 and was active in the reserves until 1962. After his discharge from the Army, Bob returned home to South Dakota to farm with his family.

On August 22, 1960, Bob married Maralyn (Vopat) in Seneca, SD. They made their first home on the Wainwright place, where they lived for four years. They moved to the Johnny Lusk place just west of Leo and Berneice and lived there for eight years. In 1972, they built their home on the George Aesoph farm 11 miles west of Orient. Bob and Maralyn raised nine children during their 40-year marriage. In August 2001, Bob lost Maralyn and his daughter Jennifer in a car accident.

Bob was blessed to find love again and married Marlas Gillette on July 5, 2005. The Aesoph crew grew by three more children with this union.

Bob was a lifelong member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Orient. He was a parish council member many times over the years. He supported everything “Orient,” from church, to softball, pool leagues, community celebrations and the local bars. He coined the phrase, “If you can’t buy it in Orient, you don’t need it.” Bob’s optimistic attitude was summed up by his response to the question, “How are you?” with “I’m always good.”

Bob loved farming! He spent his life working the land, and with the help of his wife and children, raising hogs, sheep and cattle. His children were his life, and he loved working alongside them as well as supporting them in their sporting activities (in Orient). He retired from farming in 2015. In his later years, he took over the vegetable garden, loved canning and enjoyed dispersing the fruits of his labor to friends and neighbors. It was always a nice surprise to find a five-gallon bucket of sweet corn or a jar of pickles delivered to many homes from Bob.

Bob is survived by his wife Marlas; children: Terry (JoAnn) Aesoph, Stacy (Steve) Hunt, Maggie (Tony) Kellogg, Mary (Terry) Schlechter, Chad and Trixie Schlechter, Sarah (Greg) Baumberger, Sam (Kelly) Aesoph, Ben (Stacy) Aesoph, Elizabeth (Mark) Hall, Kristi Gillette, Kate (Tom) Hurlbert, and Todd Gillette; sisters: Pat McCloud, Joan (Dick) Bent, Karen Kusser, and Jackie Aesoph; brothers: David Aesoph, Mike (Staci) Aesoph, and Steve Aesoph; grandchildren: Makenzie (Nathan) Sindelar, Kody (Emma) Aesoph, Rob, Madeline and Maria Aesoph; George, Rose and Ike Kellogg; John, Ellen and Grace Schlechter; Xavier (Mallory) Schlechter, Jake and Hannah Schlechter; Simon, Ella, Matt and Claire Baumberger; Jack, Alex, Isabel and Anna Aesoph; Charlie, Gabby and Drew Hall; and Landy Hurlbert; great-grandchildren: Vivienne and Sloane Sindelar, Eden Aesoph, and Conrad Schlechter.

He is preceded in death by his wife Maralyn; daughter, Jennifer; granddaughter, Sophia; parents: Leo and Berneice; in-laws: Amy and James Vopat; brothers: Gerald and Jeff Aesoph; and sister, Virginia Wharton.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Bob’s arrangements.