Robert "Bob" Hegdahl

Robert “Bob” Hegdahl, age 84, of Yankton, South Dakota, died on Monday, August 26, 2024 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with Reverend Dani Jo Bierwagen officiating. Immediately following the funeral there will be a luncheon to honor and celebrate Robert's life. Burial will be in the St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Wagner, South Dakota at a later date. Visitation is from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, on Friday, August 30 at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton. Visitation will also continue one hour prior to the funeral on Saturday.

Robert was born on November 18, 1939 in Blue Earth, Minnesota to Manville and Esther (Jansen) Hegdahl. He grew up in Nunda, South Dakota and graduated from Rutland High School in 1957. Bob then attended South Dakota State University in Brookings where he graduated with a degree in Agriculture. After graduation, Bob worked for a short time as a social worker in Lake Andes, SD where he met his wife, Kathleen Clemens. They were married on August 16, 1963. To this union, four children were born: Lisa, Mark, Lee and Lori. The family settled in Riverland Estates, SD where Bob began his long career in farm management. Robert and Kathleen later moved to Pickstown where they planned to retire but Kathleen passed away on September 30, 2002. Bob moved to Yankton a few years later where he retired from his farm management business. He met Betty Maruska, enjoying the last 16 years together. 

Bob enjoyed golfing, pheasant hunting, fishing, woodworking, gardening and working in the yard. Bob and Betty enjoyed traveling to warmer weather to escape the South Dakota winters. He loved the company of their dog, Casey. Bob loved visiting with his friends and he would talk to everyone. He was always the first to arrive and the last to leave. Bob loved going to visit his children and following his grandchildren’s activities. He was a very loving, caring, tenderhearted man with a great sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. 

Bob is survived by his very special friend, Betty Maruska of Yankton; four children: Lisa (Mark) Pilker of Rapid City, SD, Mark Hegdahl (Tracey Fuller) of Casper, WY, Lee (Marla) Hegdahl of Brookings, SD and Lori (Jerry) Meisner of Sioux City, IA; 10 grandchildren: Amber (Barry), Adam, Austin, Keaton, Theresa (Chris), Hunter, Ellison, Rebekah, Jennica and Amber; four great grandchildren; Betty’s daughter, Cynthia (Darrell) Spence of Yankton; two brothers, Jerry (Connie) Hegdahl of Sioux Falls and Randy Hegdahl of Madison, SD; and many nieces and nephews. 

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen, his parents, his mother and father-in-law Lillian and John Clemens, brothers-in law Robert and James Clemens, and Casey the beloved dog.