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Funeral services will take place on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at 10:00 AM (Mountain).

American Legion
Philip, South Dakota

Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota
A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at Rush Funeral Home in Philip.



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In memory of

Robert "Bob" Hansen

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Friday, May 24, 2024 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip at the age of 81

Robert “Bob” Hansen was born on September 15, 1942, to Wallace “Bud” and Marie (Plasschaert) Hansen in Philip. Bob was the seventh child in a family of nine, one sister and one brother came later, and grew up on the Hansen Ranch.

Bob went to grade school at the Empire School, 27 miles northeast of Philip. Bob then went on and attended high school in Philip where he met the love of his life, LaVonne Knutson from Grindstone, South Dakota.

Bob and LaVonne were married on June 2, 1963, at the First Lutheran Church in Philip.

Bob loved ranching and lived on the home ranch until September 14, 1966, when he was drafted into the US Army. He attended Basic Training at Ft. Bliss, Texas and then on to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. At Christmas LaVonne joined him in Aberdeen. In April 1967 they moved to Ft. Carson, Colorado where Bob became the Chief Wheel and Track Inspector. Bob took his job in the Army very seriously and on August 3rd he was promoted to Specialist 5th Class. He was honorably discharged from the Army on September 14, 1968, and was then employed by the Howes Grazing Association for nine years.

In the spring of 1977 Bob and LaVonne purchased the Howes Store which they ran for the next 40 years. After selling the Howes Store and moving to Philip, Bob started a wood shop where he made lamps, dressers, tables, cedar chests and other items. He also repaired furniture and other wood products.

Bob served on the Plainview Fire Department for 44 years, he served on the Board of Directors of Golden West for 24 years, and he custom hayed for 20 years. Bob raised cattle, horses, and buffalo for 44 years. He and LaVonne are members of the First Lutheran Church.

Bob and LaVonne adopted Angela Marie and Todd Allen as infants. They were the joy of their lives and still are.

Survivors include his wife, LaVonne; children, Angie (Richard) Holso and Todd Hansen (Julie Jones); grandchildren, Walt, Hailey, Tripp, Andrea, Aliya and Brittany; great granddaughter, Brooklyn; sisters, Charlene “Chuckie” Reed and Paula Poss; sister-in-law, Sandy Hansen; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Bud and Marie; brothers, Richard “Zip”, Gene, Darryl, and Jack Hansen; sisters, Arlys Neville and Shirley Raue; sisters-in-law, Donna and Taeko Hansen; brothers-in-law, Bob Neville, Fritz Raue, Bill Poss and Sonny Reed.

A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at Rush Funeral Home in Philip.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at the American Legion in Philip with Pastors Cindy Bisser and Harold Delbridge officiating.

Interment with military honors will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 294 Philip, SD 57567.



VISITATION
Tuesday, May 28, 2024 - 5-7 p.m.
Rush Funeral Home
Philip, South Dakota

FUNERAL SERVICE
Wednesday, May 29, 2024 - 10:00 a.m.
American Legion Hall
Philip, South Dakota

CLERGY
Pastor Cindy Bisser
Pastor Harold Delbridge

MUSIC
Barry & Edna Knutson
“Amazing Grace”
“Lord, I Hope This Day is Good”

USHERS
Scott Brech - Mike Gebes - Alex Brech

PALLBEARERS
John Knutson - Bill Knutson
Marty Hansen - Jesse Hansen - Eric Hansen
Nathan Drury - Brian Olson - Jade Hlavka

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT WITH MILITARY HONORS
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

  • Lavonne and family,
    I am saddened to learn about Bob's passing. When I was the game warden out of Faith, Bob was someone I could always count on to be there when I needed him. The memories I have of our times together will be cherished forever. We shared in many remarkable adventures together. The world just lost one of the good guys.
     ~ Don McCrea Sioux Falls (6/14/2024)
  • Dear awesome brother, I am so sad not to have been there in your final days. I will forever miss everything about you. Your family has suffered a huge loss. My heart hurts for all of you. My heart is broken
    Rest in peace. I know you are in Heaven sharing all your great jokes. Give my Bill and our boys all a hug for me. Your loving sis.     ~ Paula Poss Lake Mathews CA (6/2/2024)
  • Prayers and Hugs ~ Jewel Oehlerking Sturgis (5/31/2024)
  • Lavonne and family, so sorry for your loss. Norma and Marvin ~ Norma Waterland Williams (5/29/2024)
  • We are extremely sorry for your loss. Bob was a great man and will be missed by so many! Hugs and prayers today and in the days to come. ~ Nathan & Brittney Drury Philip (5/29/2024)
  • Grand memories os a GREAT friend. Rest in peace Bob. ~ GEORGE STRANDELL Rapid City, SD (5/29/2024)
  • To say Bob was one of a kind is an understatement. Have many a cherished memory of Bob. Will miss his random visits at the store and every where in between. Rest easy Bob. ~ Andrew Reckling PHILIP (5/28/2024)
  • Meadow, SD ~ Judy Gano (5/28/2024)
  • LaVonne & Family, our thoughts and prayers are with you! Many great memories as Bob and I grew up as neighbors! RIP ~ Merlen & Alice Neville Hurricane Utah (5/28/2024)
  • We are thinking of you folks during this difficult time. Hold on to all your memories. He will be missed by many. ~ Les & Joann Pearson Philip, SD (5/27/2024)
  • Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We cherish many great memories with Bob. RIP dear friend. ~ Tucker and Bev Hudson Howes sd (5/27/2024)
  • Lavone & Family, So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and Prayers. ~ Ralph & Cathy Fiedler 2130 Ellen St (5/27/2024)
  • Bob was an amazing man with a giving heart. He always was such a joy to visit with and he told some great stories. I always enjoyed him telling or showing me some of the wood working projects he was working on, sometimes a little frustration with a few of them. I am blessed to have a couple pieces of furniture he redone for me and a lamp that he gave to me, so always a reminder of his handwork. Bob will be missed but he is at peace and heaven gained another good one. ~ Teresa O'Connell Philip (5/27/2024)
  • Saying goodbye to a major pillar of the community is difficult! I have many funny memories that will live on. ~ Greta Kilmer Atlanta, GA (5/27/2024)
  • So sorry for your loss.Prayers are with you ~ Tootie Formanek York, Nebraska (5/26/2024)