Funeral services for Robert Bolander, 78, Winner, were held on Feb. 2 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Gregory. Burial with military honors was at the Winner Cemetery
Robert Michael Bolander was born Feb. 27, 1942, in Winner, SD, to Cornelius Bolander and Anne (Speckman) Bolander. He was the tenth child born to this union.
Bob grew up on the family farm northwest of Winner and graduated in 1960 from Winner High School. His class enjoyed getting together for reunion parties.
In the fall of 1960 Bob enlisted and served four years in the US Air Force. He was stationed in North Africa and worked in the fire department.
After being discharged from the Air Force in May, Bob met Sherri Neumiller while out cruising around Winner. He stopped her and said, “I’ve been watching you.” Bob and Sherri were married on Feb. 3, 1968 at St. John Lutheran Church. This union brought Billy, Beth, Brady, and Blaine.
Bob was employed at Blomstrom Oil Company from 1965-1984 driving fuel truck and enjoyed visiting the local farmers. In the fall of 1984, Bob started his postal career as a letter carrier. He walked the city routes for 20 years and retired in 2004.
Bob’s part time mowing career turned into full time after retirement and lasted 36 years. If he wasn’t mowing, you could find him tending his garden and flowers.
Bob would take the family on summer vacations to the Black Hills every year touring different areas. Many times taking cousins or friends but always great memories were made. Bolander family gatherings have lots of laughs and lots of people that have inherited that one of a kind Bolander laugh.
Bob was a leader and coach in his younger years and spent time supporting his kids at sporting events and later followed his grandkids around the state for their sporting events.
Many hours were spent in the kitchen cooking and baking. Chocolate chip cookies were his specialty and his kids could eat them by the dozen.
After retirement Bob began his morning with the coffee crew at McDonald’s where he could talk to anyone from anywhere about anything no matter the age.
Bob passed away on Jan. 28, 2021, at the Winner Regional Hospital after his heart could not fight any longer for the ones he loved.
He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, but especially by Sherri who has lost the love of her life.
Bob is survived by his wife Sherri Bolander of Winner, SD; daughter Beth (Chad) Ulvestad, Lead, SD; sons Brady Bolander, Winner, SD, and Blaine (Katie) Bolander, Gregory, SD; grandchildren Brecken, Breven, Brennen, Alyssa, Ayden, Jack, Dylan, and William; siblings Theresa Weber, Winner, SD, Francis Bolander, Winner, SD, Mary Wellesley, CA, Donald Bolander, NE, Loretta Allen, Arlington, TX, Joan Brunkow, Winner, SD, and Dianne Vrbsky, Colome, SD. He was preceded in death by his son Billy Bolander, parents C.A. and Anne Bolander, in-laws Pete and Beth Neumiller, brothers Richard Bolander and Daniel Bolander, and sister Genevieve Bolander.
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