Robert Joseph Rokusek

CLERGY
Fr. Mathew Vazhappilly
Pastor Leon Schulz
MUSIC
Organist ~ Georgianne Pravecek
St. George Choir
Congregational Hymns
"Amazing Grace"
"Be Not Afraid"
"How Great Thou Art"
HONORARY URNBEARERS
Bob's Grandchildren
Kristin, Karla,
Kendra, Kayla,
Danika, Riley,
& Victoria
Bob was born on Saturday, November 11, 1944 to Alvin and Helen (Brezina) Rokusek in Parkston, South Dakota. He grew up on the family farm north of Scotland and graduated from Scotland High School in 1962. Following high school, Bob worked as a welder and with Vern Liebl Well Drilling before engaging in farming. Bob married his wife of 44 years, Darlene Sayler, on June 5, 1965. They farmed together for 24 years before purchasing a home in Scotland in 1989. At that time, they moved off the family farm but he remained active on the farm for the rest of his life. Next year, 2010, will be the anniversary of the farm being in the Rokusek family for 100 years. Bob was a very passionate, determined and successful man, always eager to help family, friends and neighbors. He had a tremendous love for nature – raising pigs and farm crops, growing beautiful flowers, gardens and trees, raising and taking care of birds (purple martins), chickens, and ducks. He was very mechanical and could fix anything he came across. Bob had a talent for woodworking; he created beautiful furniture keepsakes amongst other meticulous woodworking projects. Bob enjoyed country music, playing pinochle and solitaire, fishing, traveling, class reunions and visiting with family, extended family, grandchildren and friends. He also enjoyed foods of his Czech heritage: duck, dumplings, and kolaces. At the time of Bob’s death, he was restoring a 1938 “B” John Deere tractor similar to the one he received from his grandfather Joseph Rokusek at the age of 9.
Bob and Darlene had just returned from a wonderful weeklong vacation to the Black Hills when Bob very suddenly became seriously ill; he passed away on Monday, August 24, 2009 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls at the age of 64 years, 9 months and 13 days. Bob was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather; he will be missed very much.
Grateful for having him in our lives are his wife, Darlene; his son, Joe (Lisa) of Olivet; daughter Linda (and special friend, Kim Kotas) of Sioux Falls; seven grandchildren: Kristin, Karla, Kendra and Kayla Rokusek of Olivet, Danika and Riley Mammenga of Sioux Falls, and Victoria Ockinga of Gothenburg, Nebraska; two sisters: Betty (Mike) Vetch of Surprise, Arizona and Joan (Ken) Kaiser of Omaha, Nebraska; four nieces and nephews: Toni Vetch and Jeremy Vetch of Surprise, Arizona, Jeff (Lisa) Kaiser of Omaha, Nebraska, and Todd (Candice) Kaiser of Thornton, Colorado; three aunts: Jean (Don) Norby of Sioux City, Iowa, Hattie Becvar of Tyndall and Ella Schmidt of Tripp; and uncle Edward Brezina of Tripp and Geraldine Brezina of Tripp. He is also survived by his in-laws, Richard (Ida) Sayler of Menno; brother-in-law Don (Barb) Sayler of Menno; sister-in-law Marlys (Dan) Haase of Scotland; and numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
Bob was preceded in death by his father, Alvin Rokusek and his mother, Helen (Brezina) Rokusek.