1920
Walter
2008
Walter Robertson
April 17, 1920 — February 27, 2008
On February 27, 2008, Walter "Bud" Angus Robertson died at his home at Fairway View with his wife of 56 years by his side. His strength, intelligence, faith, and humor were evident even through his last days. Bud was born in the hills of Veblen, SD, on the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation on April 17, 1920. He was a survivor of the American Indian boarding schools, yet somehow retained his faith in education. After his "schooling",Bud held a variety of jobs, among them as a ranch and farmhand. During those early years, he developed his own style of conflict resolution and Indian gaming. As a young adventurer, he found himself at the farm of Oliver and Mattie Benson in Ortonville. Not only did Bud work for the Bensons', but they became his second family and their son, Kenneth, his life-long brother.
It was from there that Bud joined the Marine Corps where he served in the Pacific Islands with the 6th Tank Battalion, 4th Regiment in the 6th Marine Division during WWII. As with most combat veterans, the experience changed him forever. Struggling with the effects of the war, he journeyed back to Ortonville. It was then he found a new faith in God and was led to a young schoolteacher, Lorene McFarland, who became his wife and life-long companion. To that union, six children were born and raised. Bud, along with Lorene, served as faithful and active members of the First United Methodist Church, whose many members he considered his good friends. He held several jobs in the area, but identified himself as a draftsman with Rausch Brothers Monuments in Ortonville. Through the years, he belonged to several organizations and was a proud member of the VFW and American Legion Post 229. Bud was proud to be Dakota and during his retirement spent time on the "rez" visiting brothers, relatives and friends. He was excited to once again hear and re-learn the Dakota language of his childhood. He will be missed by a host of nieces, nephews, and kodas (friends) on the Sisseton-Wahpeton Reservation.
Bud was a man of peace and faith and was especially proud of his years working with inmates through the REC prison ministries in Sioux Falls and Appleton. His testimony of faith brought hope and comfort to the men - many of whom are serving life sentences. Bud loved to garden, go camping, and tinker around the house, but, more than that, he loved a good meal and his coffee and any chance to visit with family and friends. Bud and Lorene's retirement travels included five "once-in-a lifetime" trips to Alaska and Marine Corps reunions all across the country. Bud was an avid sports fan and music lover especially when his children and grandchildren were involved. Even when his eyesight failed, he was blessed to hear them sing and play their music.
Above all else, Bud loved his family. He cherished his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as they him, and they will miss him terribly. Walter "Bud" Robertson is survived by his wife, Lorene (McFarland); 6 children, John (Debbie) Robertson of Morton, MN, Donald (Marci) Robertson of Sacred Heart, MN, Mary Jane (David) Ward of Pine City, MN, Doyle Victor (Greg Jeresek) of Onamia, MN, Ann (Doug) Streed of Morris, MN, Keith (Ami) Walter of Denver, CO; 13 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
It was from there that Bud joined the Marine Corps where he served in the Pacific Islands with the 6th Tank Battalion, 4th Regiment in the 6th Marine Division during WWII. As with most combat veterans, the experience changed him forever. Struggling with the effects of the war, he journeyed back to Ortonville. It was then he found a new faith in God and was led to a young schoolteacher, Lorene McFarland, who became his wife and life-long companion. To that union, six children were born and raised. Bud, along with Lorene, served as faithful and active members of the First United Methodist Church, whose many members he considered his good friends. He held several jobs in the area, but identified himself as a draftsman with Rausch Brothers Monuments in Ortonville. Through the years, he belonged to several organizations and was a proud member of the VFW and American Legion Post 229. Bud was proud to be Dakota and during his retirement spent time on the "rez" visiting brothers, relatives and friends. He was excited to once again hear and re-learn the Dakota language of his childhood. He will be missed by a host of nieces, nephews, and kodas (friends) on the Sisseton-Wahpeton Reservation.
Bud was a man of peace and faith and was especially proud of his years working with inmates through the REC prison ministries in Sioux Falls and Appleton. His testimony of faith brought hope and comfort to the men - many of whom are serving life sentences. Bud loved to garden, go camping, and tinker around the house, but, more than that, he loved a good meal and his coffee and any chance to visit with family and friends. Bud and Lorene's retirement travels included five "once-in-a lifetime" trips to Alaska and Marine Corps reunions all across the country. Bud was an avid sports fan and music lover especially when his children and grandchildren were involved. Even when his eyesight failed, he was blessed to hear them sing and play their music.
Above all else, Bud loved his family. He cherished his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as they him, and they will miss him terribly. Walter "Bud" Robertson is survived by his wife, Lorene (McFarland); 6 children, John (Debbie) Robertson of Morton, MN, Donald (Marci) Robertson of Sacred Heart, MN, Mary Jane (David) Ward of Pine City, MN, Doyle Victor (Greg Jeresek) of Onamia, MN, Ann (Doug) Streed of Morris, MN, Keith (Ami) Walter of Denver, CO; 13 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.