Robert A. Grensberg

Robert Allen Grensberg, age 66, of Willow Lake, SD, died suddenly at his home near Willow Lake on Sunday afternoon, February 17, 2013. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 25, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the Willow Lake Evangelical Lutheran Church in Willow Lake, SD. The Rev. Mark Guthmiller will officiate and burial will be in the spring in Collins Cemetery at Willow Lake. Visitations will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. on Sunday, February 24, 2013 at the Church in Willow Lake and one hour prior to the service on Monday. Robert Allen "Bob" Grensberg was born on August 17, 1946, in Watertown, South Dakota, the son of Walter and Hilda (Haupt) Grensberg. Robert was baptized and confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Willow Lake. He received his education in Willow Lake and was a graduate of the Willow Lake High School. After graduation he worked on the family farm with his father. He then continued his education and graduated from the Mitchell Vocational School in Mitchell, SD, before returning to the family farm. He was united in marriage to Kathleen Cordell on August 25, 1990. Robert enjoyed working the land and raising sheep and pigs. After failing health forced him to cut back on farming, he started his salvage business, cleaning up old machinery, cars, and iron from the countryside. Robert truly enjoyed life, including his large garden, growing a variety of onions, and was many times referred to as the Onion Man. In his younger years he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He had the gift to gab and enjoyed visiting with people wherever he went. Robert especially enjoyed the early morning camaraderie of the coffee gang. His pride and joy were his dog "Queen" and his cat "Cally". He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching the Willow Lake Pirates and more recently the Clark-Willow Lake Cyclones football, volleyball, basketball, and wrestling teams. The South Dakota State University Jackrabbits, especially the women's teams, were very special to him. Robert served his church as council member. The Lions organization was very dear to him, and he was a long-time member. Robert served as president and as many other officers and chairpersons, especially the Annual Fishing Derby. He enjoyed visiting the other area chapters. He is survived by his three sisters, Eileen Grensberg, Linda Grensberg both of Willow Lake, Donna (Kenneth) Clater of Higginsville, MO; one niece Reba (Lester) Fisher; one nephew Kenneth Clater, Jr. both of Higginsville, MO; four great-nephews Kaleb and Chad Fisher, Ryan and Jayden Clater; one great-niece, Destiny Clater; and many cousins and friends. Robert was preceded in death by his parents and a niece, Sandy Clater.