William Stewart

Funeral services for William Robert "Bob" Stewart, 89, will be held on Monday, August 25, 2014, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Wilmot Lutheran Church in Wilmot, South Dakota. Pastor Cheryl Rondeau will officiate.

Visitation will be held at Mundwiler Funeral Home on Sunday, August 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. and continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.

Casket bearers will be David Stewart, Greg Stewart, Jim Owen, Kevin Koppmann, Mark DeFea, and Alex DeFea. Honorary bearers are Doug Owen, and all of Bob's grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Burial will be in the Milbank Cemetery.

William Robert "Bob" Stewart was born on April 21, 1925, in Clark County, South Dakota (rural Elrod) to William and Hannah (Moren) Stewart. He grew up near Henry, South Dakota, attending rural schools and graduating from Henry High School in 1944. In December of 1950, Bob joined the U.S. Army. He was a member of the 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division and served as a tank gunner in the Korean Conflict. Achieving the rank of Sergeant 1st Class, Bob was honorably discharged in September of 1952.

Bob was united in marriage with Margie Marker Gustafson in Webster, South Dakota on December 1, 1952. Bob was a lifelong farmer and raised sheep and cattle. He was a member of the Wilmot Lutheran Church, where he served on the church council and as a Sunday School teacher. Bob was also a member of the VFW, the Community Club, and served on the Election Board. He was very interested in politics and world affairs. In his free time he enjoyed hunting and fishing and passed his skills on to the next generations. Most important was the time Bob spent with his children and grandchildren.

Bob died on August 21, 2014, at the Milbank Area Hospital, having reached the age of 89.

Left with his loving memory are his wife Margie of Milbank; children: Lonni (Vicki) Stewart of Cottage Grove, MN; LaMoyne (Denise) Stewart of Medford, MN; and Jaloy (Candyce) Gustafson of Poulsbo, WA; six grandchildren: Ashia (Todd) Mills and their four children; Chad (Erin) Stewart and their three children; Christopher (Jennifer Miller) Stewart and their five children; Jeremy (Holly) Stewart and their two children; Clardon (Susan) Gustafson; and Dane (Rachael) Gustafson and their two children; sister Lois Koppmann of Watertown, SD; brother-in-law DeLaine Owen of Watertown, SD; sister-in-law Elsie Stewart of Sioux Falls, SD; and many nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; sister Lillian; brothers: Glenn, Elton, and Hubert; and brother-in-law Duane Koppmann.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to hospice or cancer organizations are appreciated.