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Funeral services will take place on Monday, December 7, 2020 at 10:30 AM (Mountain).

Open Bible Church
Midland, South Dakota

Midland Cemetery
Midland, South Dakota
One hour preceding the services at the church on Monday.



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In memory of

Robert "Bob" Evans

of Rapid City, formerly of Midland, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City at the age of 85

Robert Stanley Evans was born June 28, 1935 in Ft. Pierre, South Dakota to Stanley and Hazel (Johnson) and was delivered by his grandmother.

He grew up and attended school through 8th grade in the Hayes area. School was not his priority, and he was known for giving his teachers a hard time. He always said he learned through the school of hard knocks. Throughout his lifetime Bob was known for his dancing ability which he learned from his two older sisters.

Bob worked several jobs as a teen and young adult in the Midland/Hayes area. In June of 1955 he joined his brother working for the state highway department in Hayes. He met Verona Merkle while roller skating in Hayes in 1954. They were united in marriage on September 11, 1955. While working for the Highway Department the family lived in Ft. Pierre, Reliance and Presho. In 1966, Bob and Verona purchased the Mobil Oil dealership in Midland. Bob took great pride in providing excellent customer service to the surrounding farming and ranching communities for many years. He also served in the National Guard.

His lifelong dream of being a farmer became reality when he sold his gas business and purchased farmland in the Midland area. Bob absolutely loved being out on the tractor from sunrise to sunset. The life of hard knocks did not end with his teenage years. He persevered through many adversities. A serious truck accident in January of 1973 kept him in a full body cast for six months. After surviving this, he was diagnosed with narcolepsy which explained the many years of falling asleep at family meals. In 1997 he survived a serious heart attack which required triple bypass surgery. He also had multiple back surgeries. In his later years he battled the cruel and difficult disease of dementia. Throughout these difficult times Verona was by his side for over 65 years.
Bob enjoyed buying new cars, coin collecting, playing cards, dancing, watching airplanes, attending sporting events, and always visiting with friends over coffee, sugared iced tea, or homemade ice cream. He was active in the Midland Commercial Club, Volunteer Fire Department, and Open Bible Church. He retired from farming in 1998, leasing his land for several years before selling off his beloved farmland. During retirement years Bob and Verona enjoyed spending winters as snowbirds in Mesa, Arizona, making many new friends during these trips. In June of 2018, Bob and Verona moved to Rapid City to be closer to their family.

Survivors include his wife Verona of Rapid City, sons: Stanley (Cathy) Evans of Rapid City and Allen (Traci) Evans of Sioux Falls; daughters: Janet Evans and Melanie (Ross) Jones both of Rapid City. Seven grandchildren: Trisha (Matt) Walters, Seth Anderson, Harmony Anderson (Joe Schneider), Cassandra and Kalli Jones, Tiahnna and Taylor Evans, four great-grandchildren Alexa and Myah Walters, Aaminah and Grace Schneider; one brother George (Alice) Evans of Belle Fourche; two sisters Beverly Telford of Novato, California and Betty Shannon of Sturgis; and numerous other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two grandchildren Christopher Evans and Dakota Anderson; and two brothers-in-law Gene Telford and Phil Shannon.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, December 7, at the Open Bible Church in Midland.

Interment will follow at the Midland Cemetery.

Live streaming will be provided, and you can watch the service from this webpage when it begins.


Open the Memorial Folder


FUNERAL SERVICE
Monday, December 7, 2020 - 10:30 a.m.
Open Bible Church
Midland, South Dakota

CLERGY
Rev. Randy Brock
Rev. Dallas McKinley

MUSIC
Kim Bierle - Pianist
Don Kraemer - Vocalist
“How Great Thou Art”
“Because He Lives”
Congregational Hymn
“Onward Christian Soldiers”
Tammy Brock - Special Music
“O Holy Night”

USHERS
Ronnie Doud - Keith Harry

PALLBEARERS
Vance Martin - Duane Hand - Clint Saucerman
Mike Koehler - Randy Nemec - Byron Hand

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Harlan Hohrman - Jack Kirkpatrick - Don Sandal
Terry Nemec - Rick Nemec - Don Hennies

INTERMENT
Midland Cemetery
Midland, South Dakota

  • Julie and I send our prayers to the family and friends. Bob will greatly be missed. My Dad enjoyed his visits with Bob. ~ Brent Saucerman Lawton, Ok (12/7/2020)
  • My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Evans family during this difficult time. I didn't have the pleasure of growing up with my family in South Dakota, but I will forever cherish one summer I spent with Bob, Verona and family at the tender age of 18. It was a turning point for me and I will be forever grateful for their love and support during that time in my life. I was fortunate enough to return the favor many years later when Bob, Verona, George, Alice and Betty came to CA to visit my folks (Jean and Gene Telford). I'll never forget picking them up at the San Francisco airport and bringing them to my home for a few days of sightseeing before ushering them off in a rental car to see me folks. It was such great fun and I am so grateful to have had that one-on-one time with them. There was no denying Bob's infectious laugh and of course his stubborn streak, especially when it came to eating vegetables. I think I did convince him to try one vegetable dish before he left! :-) Uncle Bob - you will be sorely missed on this earth but I know you will continue to give your all in heaven above. Thank you for your love and laughter and for giving a young girl from California a place in your heart! ~ Kelly Moore Novato, CA (12/6/2020)
  • Verona and family~~We are so sorry for your loss. Whenever I think of Bob, I remember his laugh. Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers. ~Don & Nancy ~ Nancy Smith Papillion NE (12/5/2020)
  • To Verona, Stan, Melanie, Janet, and Allen - We are grieving with you with the passing of Uncle Bob. He was a second father to me my whole life. We've all lost a big piece of our hearts with his passing. Whenever I reflect on my life, Bob (& Verona) always have been there for me/us! We've shared so many precious memories together. It's so hard to narrow them down. It's so comforting to remember all the good times-- here's a few that especially stand out to Rob, Josiah and me.
    Our families have spent so many prevcious memories around the table with loads of food. Bob wondering if we had enough salads to eat, coming over for iced tea after mowing, all the canisters of homemade ice cream he made, Sunday dinners, and Saturday night steak dinners. I'm sad to think Bob's spot will forever be empty at the head of the table or missing he and dad argue over who's turn it was to drive out to dinner or the next ball game!
    Bob strived for perfection in all that he did and took care of his possessions meticulously- painting (the church & Rob and I's Sioux Falls home), washing the cars & his pickup, the motorhome and garage, cleaning the church carpets single-handedly, troweling peanut butter on his pancakes, dictating the way Verona had to make him a roast beef sandwich, layering ribbon sandwiches just so, mowing, helping Verona make beans and him cleaning tables for Mom and Dad's business open houses/post sales. Undoubtedly, he valued family, faith, and community and he had pride of ownership! He worked hard!
    I have so many memories of him cheering all of us on-- basketball games, going to the State basketball tournaments, attending school concerts and church programs, loading up the motorhome for track meets, college graduations, our weddings. I fondly remember him comforting me after Terry & Laura's wedding in the motorhome that we would see Terry again and still go out for steak dinners together! Indeed, I know he said many prayers for all of us, including me, over the years. He loved deeply and devotedly!
    He loved politics! So many meals and conversations would gravitate toward that topic with him. I even remember him getting Grandma Merkle's 'goat' over political issues!
    I think the one thing that will continue to influence my life the most is how Bob valued relationships. He was never too busy to visit, be a friend, or an uncle. Josiah remembers the sound of his voice, laugh, and smile! He helped and loved everyone! He believed the best in everyone and always gave them a chance (even hiring Rob as an college electrician apprenctice to doing some wiring at his grain bins). He modeled good-ol' fashioned values and took time for people!
    I'm blessed to call all of you family! I loved Bob and I love you! Hugs and prayers as you grieve. I pray the Holy Spirit provides you comfort and peace as you walk through this valley. Rest in peace 'Red Horse' (his CB radio call sign)! Enjoy heaven Bob-- well done, good and faithful servant!     ~ Becky Thompson Lakeville, MN (12/4/2020)
  • Vorona and family. Sorry to read about Bob's Passing. Sending my thoughts and prayer at this difficult time. Rest in peace, Bob. ~ June Schoenfelder Black Hawk, South Dakota (12/4/2020)
  • I'm so sorry to hear of Bob's passing. I have so many wonderful memories of him, and I will always remember them fondly. Phil didn't know Bob well, but still remembers the first time they met. We had literally just arrived in Midland for Independence Day after a long drive, and a panel was coming off the undercarriage of Phil's car. Without a second thought, Bob had Phil put the car on the lift in his garage; he and Tyler re-attached the panel and made doubly sure it would never come off again. Only after that was done, did Phil and Bob officially introduce themselves to each other. It's just one example of how Bob lived his entire life, never hesitating to put everything aside to help others. ~ Phillip & Jackie Kuehl Albuquerque, NM (12/3/2020)
  • Verona and family, so sorry to hear of Bob's passing. Hold on to the many memories you have. Our thoughts and prayers are with you through this difficult time. ~ Tom & Theresa Nemec Cannon Falls, MN (12/3/2020)
  • We are sorry to hear of Bob's passing. We will miss him at the jam sessions. We send you our love and prayers . ~ Joel & Carol Bowers Mesa, Arizona (12/3/2020)
  • Verona and Family- We are so saddened by this news. May God hold you close and your faith keep you strong during this difficult time. We are holding you up in prayer. God bless Bob and may he Rest In Peace. ~ Larry and Julie McLaughlin Midland, SD (12/3/2020)
  • So, so sorry to read this. May your many good memories sustain you in this difficult time. ~ Ronnie & Emily Sammons Midland SD (12/3/2020)