Robert “Bob” Mahanke, age 88, of Brookings, SD, passed away on Monday, February 7, 2022, at United Living Community in Brookings. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown. Rev. Kent Stillson will officiate. Music will be provided by A. J. Sherrill as organist with Robbyn and Darian Givens as vocalists. The service will be live-streamed via the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel website.
Visitation will be at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel prior to the services on Saturday, from11:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
Private family burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown. Military graveside honors will be conducted by Codington County Post #17 of the American Legion, Watertown, Frank H. Adams Post #750 of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Watertown, and the Funeral Honors Team of the U.S. Navy. Active pallbearers will be his grandchildren: Kristin (Ryan) Owen, Kari (Cole) Weller, David Struve, Kelli Struve, Morgan Mahanke, Makenna Mahanke, Brock Mahanke, and Bryce Mahanke.
Robert was born on January 23, 1934, to Maynard and Eva (Heathcote) Mahanke, at their rural farm home in Codington County. Bob attended Codington County rural school, graduating from 8th grade. Bob was baptized at St. Peters Lutheran Church on July 23, 1941, confirmed at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church on August 3, 1951. Bob was inducted into the US Navy on October 23, 1951, discharged on January 6, 1955. Bob proudly served in the Korean War aboard the USS Macon (CA-132).
On November 25, 1956, Bob married Marjorie Schwandt. They raised three children west of Lake Kampeska. Marjorie passed away on June 6, 1973. He was later united in marriage to Marilyn Jarman on December 8, 1973, in Watertown.
Bob held mechanical positions for Co Motors, Monument Works, Codington County Highway Dept., SD Highway Dept., Arrow Truck Line, and Watertown Municipal Utilities. After retirement, Bob mowed 16 years for the Watertown Park and Rec Dept., and 4 years for Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer.
Bob enjoyed hunting, camping and umpired baseball for 26 years. Bob was a member of Watertown Quarterback Club and Pheasants Forever Glacial Lakes Chapter #160. Bob and Marilyn loved to dance, especially the waltz.
Bob is survived by his wife, Marilyn, of Brookings; his children: Brenda (Don) Struve, of Elk Horn, IA, Pam (Bob) Gaikowski, of Watertown, and Doug (Deb) Mahanke, of Brookings; his eight grandchildren: Kristin (Ryan) Owen, of Watertown, Kari (Cole) Weller and their children: Roslyn, Elouise, and Whitaker Weller, all of Sioux Falls, David Struve, of Kansas City, MO, Kelli Struve, of Elkhorn, NE, Morgan Mahanke, of Sioux Falls, Makenna Mahanke and her daughter, Skylar McBrayer, both of Brookings, Brock Mahanke and Bryce Mahanke, both of Brookings.
Bob was preceded in death by his first wife, Marjorie; his parents, Maynard and Eva Mahanke, brother, William (Vivian) Mahanke; sister, Peggy (John) Redlin; and in-laws, Bill and Henrietta Jarman.
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----- USA Softball of South Dakota State Commissioner |
