Robert Brendsel

Robert “Bob” D. Brendsel, age 83, of Garretson, died on Thursday, March 13, 2008 at his home. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 A.M. Monday, March 17, 2008 at Zion Lutheran Church in Garretson. Visitation will be from 2-4:00 P.M. Sunday at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Garretson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be donated to the Garretson Ambulance or Garretson Fire Department.

Bob was born July 13, 1924 to parents Knute and Lula (Juve) Brendsel in Baltic, South Dakota. He graduated from Baltic High School. After his education he moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he worked and attended Electrical School. He returned to South Dakota and married LaVonne “Vonnie” Paulson December 7, 1949 in Luverne, Minnesota. They lived in Baltic before moving to Garretson in 1958. In Garretson he owned and operated the Gamble Store, Brendsel Plumbing and Heating, Garretson Laundromat, Blue Chip Ice, and was a state electrical inspector and salesman for Trane and Thermal Companies. He retired in 1990.

Bob was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and the Garretson Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed carpentry, hunting, fishing, and most of all following his grandchildren’s sporting activities.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Vonnie, Garretson; a son, Wesley (Liz) Brendsel, Lancaster, Ohio; four daughters, Connie (Dan) Lenz, Madison; Deb McClelland, Bokeelia, FL; Monica (Chuck) McGillivray, Madison; Cherie (Heath) Herber, Colorado Springs, CO; 8 grandchildren, Chad & Shannon Frewaldt; Misty Ramsey; Levi McClelland; Angela McGillivray; Caroline & Robert Brendsel; and John Best; 8 great grandchildren, Mitchell & Morgan Frewaldt; Kelbi Koch; Hannah & Lucie Frewaldt; Kayden Rivero; Ryder & Jase McClelland; two brothers, Rolland (Neva) Brendsel, Mission, TX; and Harold (LaVonne) Brendsel; Colman. He was preceded in death by a son in law, Richard McClelland, 2 brothers, Roger and Donald and a sister, Leona.