Robert LaFortune

Robert Martin LaFortune passed away August 12, 2014 after a short battle with cancer, surrounded by his family who loved him very much. A prayer service will be held Friday, August 15th at 7:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. His memorial service will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 16th at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Bob?s cremains will be laid to rest at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis at a later date.

Bob LaFortune was born October 1, 1944 to Walter and Katherine (McWeeny) LaFortune. Bob attended school in Highmore and in April, 1965, joined the Army and served for three years. He was honorably discharged in April, 1968. On April 23, 1966 Bob was united in marriage to Virginia ?Ginny? Schock and to this union two children were born.

Bob began working with Beadle Electric in 1966 when he returned from the service. He worked as a journeyman-lineman for 32 years and retired in 2000. Bob coached the Colts Teen Team as well as the girls softball teams his daughter and granddaughter played on. Bob was an avid hunter and fisherman and had great interest in Native American artifacts. Bob was a flagman for stock car races for several years and was active in racing when his son, Matt, raced and enjoyed working the Wissota Races in Huron.

He loved watching the New York Yankees play, especially when they were in the World Series. He worked part time as a substitute custodian for the Huron School District and enjoyed working in the campground at the fair.

Bob had 8 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter who were his pride and joy. Bob thoroughly enjoyed all the time he spent with them. He was so proud when he became a great grandfather and wanted, in the worst way, to live long enough to see the two that will be coming in December and January.

Bob is survived by his wife of 48 years, Virginia ?Ginny? of Huron; daughter, Michelle (Jim) Vissia of Plankinton; son Matt (Amy) LaFortune of Huron; eight grandchildren, Nash (Laura) Eickholt, Seth (Alisha) Eickholt, Cordel Vissia, Chasity Vissia, Samantha (Tyler) Dahl, Steven (Denise Zerr) LaFortune, Shane (Cassie) LaFortune, Spencer LaFortune; one great granddaughter, Henley Eickholt; sister, Mary Jo (Orville) Gran of Pierre; five sisters-in-law, Char (Butch) Evans of Arizona, Pat (Marvin) Hasart of Ree Heights, Mildren (Allen) Binneboese of Iowa, Nancy (Jerry) Peterson of Minnesota, Janice Schock of Aberdeen; one brother-in-law, Charles Schock of Ree Heights; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Clayton, one cousin, Gene McWeeny, whom his parents raised, one brother-in-law, Dennis Schock, and his father and mother-in-law, Edward and Lillian Schock.