Obituary of Bob Wentzlaff

Bob Wentzlaff, 84, of Yankton, SD, died on January 11, 2014 at the Avera Yankton Care Center, his home the last four years. He was surrounded by the love of his family. Visitation will be on Tuesday, January 14 from 5-7 PM at Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory in Yankton with a Rosary at 7:00 PM and a 7:30 PM Scripture Service. Memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton with Rev. Mark Lichter officiating. Viewing of the body will be at the Visitation and Wake Service only. Burial of the cremated remains will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Yankton. A time to embrace the family will be one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Honorary Urnbearers will be all of Bob's grandchildren and great-grandchildren, in addition to family friends, David Erfman, Pamela Stone, and Brad Dykes. Bob was born on December 10, 1929 at Nicollet, MN to Henry and Leocadia (Berger) Wentzlaff. He married Marivonne Olsen on February 14, 1950 in Nicollet, MN. Throughout his life, Bob enjoyed several service-oriented jobs including work at Gambles Department Store, produce management at grocery stores in Huron, Vermillion, and Yankton, Insurance work through Farmer's Union, Senior Companion Care in Yankton, and ownership and management of the Wolsey Café. Bob's love of community was demonstrated through his involvement in the Catholic Church as a lector, CCD Teacher, and EME. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and Kiwanis Club in his earlier years. He was quick to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He treated everyone with dignity and respect, always affirming the positives in people. Bob's hobbies included fishing, hunting, and birdwatching/feeding. He was an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins and Mount Marty Lancers. Gardening was a favorite pastime throughout his life; however, his most treasured times were those spent with family and friends. Bob is survived by his wife, Marivonne, of Yankton; sons, David (Everlyn) Wentzlaff of Maplewood, MN and Brad (Mary) of Grand Island, NE; daughters, Jane (John) Hohm of Freeman, SD; Sue (Steve) Lowe of Apple Valley, MN and Sr. Maribeth Wentzlaff, OSB of Yankton, SD; in addition to 11 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren; surviving siblings include: Eunice Ranweiler, St. Cloud, MN; Virginia Chrystal, Brainerd, MN; Geraldine Leonard, Nicollet, MN; Shirley Peterson, Hudson, WI and sister-in-law, Coralyn Fleeger, of Watertown, SD. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Leocadia Wentzlaff; brothers, Henry and Edward Wentzlaff; sisters, Elsie Skarda, Dorothy Armstrong, and Mary Wentzlaff; daughter-in-law, Gail Wentzlaff, and precious children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren lost prior to birth. Bob would be honored to have memorials directed to the Eden Care Project care of Bob's family. This will help to continue his passion for feeding the birds, caring for the animals, and beautifying the property with flowers.