Robert Opbroek age 84 of Bonesteel, died Monday, May 5, 2008 at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Friday May 9 at Immaculate Conception Church in Bonesteel with a 1:00 PM burial at St. Joseph Cemetery in Gregory. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM Thursday at the church with rosary beginning at 7:00 PM.

Robert Francis Opbroek and his twin brother, Norbert, was born September. 7, 1923, the 10th and 11th children of Henry and Margaret (Ritz) Opbroek on the family farm east of Fairfax, SD. He attended grade school through the eighth grade at Star Valley School. He worked on the family farm and was later employed by Sievert Raveling in Remson, Iowa on a farm. He worked for $1.00 a day and the money he earned he sent home to his parents, keeping a minimal amount for himself. He did not enter the military service because he was the only son remaining to help his father on the farm.

Robert married Leona Bentz on June 6, 1945 and to this union was born six children. They bought the family farm from Henry and Margaret Opbroek in 1947 where they lived until 1969. They operated the family farm and Robert worked part-time for B.A. Clark and Jerome Koenig Trucking. In 1969 they moved off the farm and moved to Fairfax where they purchased the Fairfax Caf. In the fall of 1971 Robert went to work for Opperman Sand and Gravel until December of 1985, when he had to retire because of back surgery. In his later years, he drove school bus for the Gregory School District and he was greens keeper at the golf course for two years. He drove the swim bus at Burke for three years. In July of 2004 they sold their home in Gregory and moved to Park View Manor in Burke, SD and in September 2007 they moved to The Haisch Haus Assisted Living in Bonesteel where they were living at the time of Roberts death.

Robert had a great rapport with his grandchildren, the children on his bus routes and all children in general. He was the happiest when he was around children. He taught all his granddaughters how to dance, and he loved every minute that he and Leona spent at Carlock dancing with friends and family. After moving to Gregory, Bob and Leona met many people while dancing at Carlock. Some people came from as far as Chamberlain, Atkinson and the surrounding area and they became lifelong friends of Bob and Leona. Robert was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome in the fall of 2002 and died of leukemia at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD on May 5, 2008.

Robert is survived by his wife of 62 years, six children, Cheryl Clark (Jack) of Gregory, SD, Terry Opbroek (Rosemary) of Herrick, SD, David Opbroek (Lanette) of Walla Walla, WA, Eugene Opbroek (fiance Christy) of Pickstown, SD, Dolores Wendell of Burke, SD, and Anthony Opbroek (Sherry) of Burke, SD, 21 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, 8 step great-grandchildren. He is survived by one brother, Henry and five sisters, Helen, Florence, Leona, Sylvia and Rosalain. He was preceded in death by his parents, his twin brother Norbert, brothers Arnold, Gerhardt, Leander, his sisters, Mary, Loretta and Dolores (in infancy).