Robert G. Crist

Robert Crist, age 66 of Milbank, passed away at his residence on December 31, 2023.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank. Rev. Thom Bowsher and Levi Wadell will officiate. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and continue on Thursday, one hour prior to the service. Burial, with military honors, will be held at the Milbank City Cemetery.

Casket bearers will be: Bobby Crist, Eric Crist, Brandon Crist, Abegail Crist, Casey Mielitz, and Tyrone Ronke. His grandchildren will be honorary bearers: Ava Sichmeller, Jazmynne Ronke, Nevaeh Crist, Mya Ronke, Molly Crist, and Jaxson Crist.

The service will be livestreamed, recorded and viewable below this obituary.

Robert Gordon Crist was born on May 26, 1957, in Black River Falls, WI. At the age of two years, Bob was adopted by Gordon and Ruth (Gilbertson) Crist. Bob grew up in Milbank and attended school. He served in the National Guard, 740^th Transportation Company in Milbank.

Bob was united in marriage with Gloria Vollmer on August 4, 1979. They were blessed with four children: Bobby, Eric, Brandon, and Abegail. Bob worked a variety of jobs in Milbank including working at the family business, A&W, at Dakota Granite Company, Dewey’s Lawn Care, a custodian for Milbank High School, Gesswein Motors, and was a Reserve Officer for the Milbank Police Department.

Bob loved to cheer for the Green Bay Packers! He enjoyed snowmobiling, camping, and Harley Davidson motorcycles. He adored his children and grandchildren. He attended Living Word Lutheran Church.

Left to cherish his memory are his children: Bobby Crist (fiancé, Casey Mielitz) of Ortonville, MN; Eric Crist of Milbank, SD; Brandon Crist (Ali Julian) of Jacksonville, NC; and Abegail Crist (Tyrone Ronke) of Milbank, SD; sisters: Janice Krpata of Black River Falls, WI; Lynette (Duane) Gussiaas of Sioux Falls, SD; brother, Charlie (Mary) Annis of Hilton, WI; six grandchildren: Ava Sichmeller, Jazmynne Ronke, Nevaeh Crist, Mya Ronke, Molly Crist, and Jaxson Crist; nieces: Penny (Neil) Madison of Browns Valley, MN; and Melissa (Jerry) Morton of Sioux Falls, SD; and nephew: Brian (Steph) Helmbrecht of Sioux Falls, SD. He was preceded in death by his parents: Gordon and Ruth; his birth mom, Irene; grandson, Dominic Knutson; an infant grandchild; and a nephew, Jacob Helmbrecht.