Funeral Services for Robert Larson, 91, of Mobridge will be 10:00 AM Saturday, November 25, 2017 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mobridge. Interment will be in the Mobridge City Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home. Visitation will be Friday, November 24, 2017 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Kesling Funeral Home. Robert passed away Monday, November 20, 2017 surrounded by his family at the Selby Good Samaritan Center.

Robert Theodore Larson was born April 14, 1926 on the Richard and Inga (Olson) Larson homestead 8 miles northeast of Firesteel, South Dakota. He joined two older sisters and three older brothers. He attended country school in which his sister Bertha was his teacher. Bob and his youngest sisters, Doris (Travis) and Donna (Peterson) would ride horseback to school every day. He recalled years later that even during the depression his family was caring and loving with each other and always helped neighbors in need.

Bob attended high school in Mobridge living with his aunt and uncle Martin Larson, Sr. graduating in 1944. On weekends and holidays he would ride the train to Timber Lake to work on the family farm. Due to a serious lung illness in 1940 in which he was hospitalized at the Mayo Clinic for three months he was ineligible to serve in the armed forces.

Upon graduating high school, he returned to Firesteel and with his brother Morris started Larson Brothers Trucking. They had 2 tons' trucks hauling grain, livestock and coal. Their trucks had no hoists so unloading was by hand. Also during this period, he started acquiring cattle and worked with his father on the farm. On May 22, 1948 he was married to Audrey Elder from Timber Lake who he met at a dance. They loved and continued dancing until Audrey's death in 2004. In 1949 they moved on the Larson family farm and took over the day to day operations.

Due to drought, hail, grass hoppers, blizzards, and prairie fires it was a tough going. In 1956 Robert entered into a partnership with Pat and Ruby Maher in which Maher's ran theirs and Robert's livestock and had a joint farming operation. This relationship endured until Pat and Ruby's sons Bruce and Jim Maher took over the management. The Maher's still lease and farm Bob's land.

Robert and Audrey moved to Mobridge in 1956. Robert started Bob's Friendly Service at the corner of Main and Grand Crossing (Gas and Goodies). Bob's was open 24 hours a day included Mobil products, Harley Davidson Motor Cycles, 24-hour cab service, United Trailer Rental and used cars. During this time Robert also sold cars for Travis's Ford dealership.

From the early 1960's Bob was in real estate sales and appraisals ending in 2010 with Key Real Estate. Bob was active in the Trinity Lutheran Church singing in the choir for many years. He was a member of the Mobridge Regional Hospital Board, Mobridge Rotary Club, Moose Club and the South Dakota Realtor's Association.

Robert is survived by his three children; Ted and Norlene, Hamilton, MT., Debora and Marty Neal, Gillette, WY. and Steven of Sioux Falls, SD. Three grandchildren Jennifer and Pete Dunn, Kari, and Marty Bob Neal. Three great-grandchildren Abbey, Owen, Sam Dunn, and two sisters Doris Travis and Donna Peterson.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife Audrey, two sisters, Ruth Johnson, Bertha Johnson and three brothers, Lester, Lloyd and Morris.
The family request no flowers. Memorials may be given to the charity of the donor's choice.