Robert J. (Bob) Pistulka was born October 14, 1922 to Albert & Margaret (Opst-Cahoy) Pistulka and passed away to his heavenly home March 4, 2014 at the age of 91 at Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton, SD.

Bob was born and raised on the family farm north of Fairfax, South Dakota homesteaded by his grandfather Joseph Pistulka in 1889. He attended Fairfax Public School through the 8th grade. During these school years he became a champion marble player and to prove it he had a prize bag of marbles he had won from his classmates. As he grew up, he farmed side by side with his father on this homestead. On June 21, 1944 Bob married the love of his life, Rita Johanna Nies at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Bonesteel. This union was blessed with four children Eugene, Ronald, Kevin and Roberta. Bob continued to farm the land entrusted to him by his father and grandfather until 1983. At which time Eugene moved to the farm and Bob and Rita moved to their new home in Fairfax where they resided for 23 years.

Bob was a lifetime member of St Anthony's Catholic Church in Fairfax and was a Eucharistic Minister at daily masses. He also served on the board of directors for the Fairfax Co-op for many years. Some of his favorite things to do were neighboring with friends, attending dances with his sweetheart Rita, listening to polka music and wearing bib overalls, which he would have worn to church but that was not acceptable where Rita was concerned. He had a wonderful sense of humor, an easy smile, a quick wit, enjoyed a good game of pitch and loved coconut cream pie with as much coconut as it could hold.

In November, 2006 Bob joined Rita at the Haisch Haus in Bonesteel where the residents & staff became a loving extended family. In September, 2013 Bob joined another extended family at Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton. With a warm smile and ornery twinkle in his eye he touched the lives of all who cared for him.

Bob was a kind, gentle, honest faith filled man who taught his children and grandchildren by his words and actions what it means to be a Christian husband and father. His ideals included practice your faith, go to church, don't be afraid to work hard, treat others with honesty and respect, and love your wife and family with all your heart. This is the legacy he leaves for all of us to follow.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife Rita in 2009, his parents, his sister Margaret (Leonard) Koenig, and granddaughter Paula.

Left to celebrate his life are sons Eugene (Connie) Pistulka of Fairfax SD, Ronald (Carolyn) Pistulka of Holdrege, NE, Kevin (Mary) Pistulka of Yankton, SD, and daughter Roberta (Roger) Witt of Bonesteel, SD, sister Dorothy Thomas of Minot, ND, 12 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, two sister-in-laws, Rachel (Jerry) Hausmann of Waconia, MN and AldaMae (Ray) Koenig of Corona, CA and his many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family will donate to various charities that were important to Bob.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 10:30 AM at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Fairfax. Burial will be in St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery. There will be a scripture service on Friday at 7:00 PM at the church.