Robert L. Waagmeester

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Robert “Bob” Leroy Waagmeester, 90, of Dell Rapids went to his heavenly home on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls.

Bob was born at home on October 23, 1927 in Dakota City, Nebraska, and shortly after his family moved to a farm near Granite, Iowa. Bob’s stories of his early years included tales of walking two miles to a one-room schoolhouse, where his paint-pail lunchbox would often freeze in the winter in the school’s entryway before lunchtime.

In 1936, Bob and his family moved to Larchwood, Iowa.  At the age of 16, he began working as a hired hand on a farm for a close family friend. Later, he began working for his Uncle Richard, whose generosity allowed Bob to officially start his own farm.

On August 27, 1950, Bob married Janet Wagner.  The couple resided in Larchwood before moving to a converted one-room schoolhouse near Ben Claire, South Dakota. In 1952, Bob and Janet moved to their farm on old Highway 77 near Baltic. Bob and Janet were blessed with two daughters, Sandra and Susan, and together they made many wonderful memories of working together in the fields, completing daily chores, and spending time together as a family.

Bob’s career as a farmer was defined by his hard work ethic and attention to the land, which earned him an award from the state of South Dakota as an Outstanding Soil Conservationist in 1972. It is impossible to talk of Bob’s time on the farm without mentioning his generosity. He openly shared his knowledge, time and resources with others.

In 1979, Bob retired from farming and with Janet built a new home on their land. For the next 24 years, Bob drove a school bus for the Baltic School District. He later moved to a home in Dell Rapids, where he lived until becoming a resident at Orchard Hills Assisted Living in 2013.

Bob was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Dell Rapids since 1955, and was instrumental in completing the church’s new addition in 1996. He enjoyed building houses for Habitat for Humanity, was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge and served on the Baltic School District Board of Education for 13 years. He shared his time, talents, and gifts with his communities and church with heartfelt generosity and kindness.

Bob is survived by his daughter, Susan Cosenza (Lou) of Franksville, WI; son-in-law, Jay Sittig (Bobbi) of Dell Rapids; three grandchildren, Amber Pollmann (John) of Dell Rapids, Ryan Sittig of Baltic, and Ashley Zellhoefer of Milwaukee, WI; and three great-grandchildren, Miles and Max Pollmann and Gavin Sittig.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Janet; daughter, Sandra Sittig; parents, Cornelius and Leona Waagmeester; and siblings, Merle and Gordon Waagmeester and Beverly Wilke.

Visitation with family present will take place at the Minnehaha Funeral Home Chapel in Dell Rapids on Friday, August 10, 2018 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. A private family burial will take place on Saturday, August 11, 2018, followed by a public memorial service at the United Methodist Church in Dell Rapids at 11:00 a.m.

The family asks that memorials be directed to Feeding South Dakota.