Robert “Bob” Ellis January 19, 1937 – March 15, 2019 Share this obituary Sign Guestbook| View Guestbook Entries| Send Sympathy Card Celebration of life services for Robert “Bob” Ellis, 82, of Reliance, SD will be 10:30 am Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at St. James Catholic Church in Chamberlain. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will begin Monday at 5:00 pm with a scripture service at 7:00 pm at St. James Catholic Church in Chamberlain.
In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials in Bob’s name to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Reliance, SD or St. James Catholic Church in Chamberlain, SD. Robert “Bob” Elwyn Ellis was born January 19th, 1937 in Pierre, SD to William and Ester (Engman) Ellis. He attended country school near Iona and graduated from Chamberlain High School in 1955.
After high school, Bob attended Southern State University graduating in 1956 with a Certified Mechanic Degree. On June 21, 1958, Bob was united in marriage to Arlene Weber in Mitchell, SD. They made their home in Lyman County where Bob lived his entire life.
Bob was an avid motorcycle rider and loved to race them. He shared that love of motorcycles and racing with his children. Later in life he bought a trike from a longtime family friend that he rode to the Sturgis rally annually.
He was also an avid hunter and taught many of his grandkids, nieces, and nephews how to hunt. He earned his pilot’s license. Bob enjoyed tinkering with gadgets and built his first CB radio.
He would always need to have the first of anything. With the farm life in his blood, Bob enjoyed 63 years of farming and ranching. He and Bob Gregg also organized many trail rides over the years on that ranch.
Bob and Arlene had made many friends from all over because of those trail rides. Bob was a ASE Certified Mechanic at Raish Brother’s, Harry K Chevrolet, and Don’s Ford. He was an active 45 year member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as a Grand Knight for several terms, and was an Honorary Knight of the 4th degree.
He traveled throughout the states with the Knights of Columbus. He received the lifetime achievement award with the Knights of Columbus. Bob was a father and a mentor to many people.
Bob passed away on March 15, 2019 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 82 years. Gratefully sharing his life are his wife of almost 61 years, Arlene of Reliance; three children Roberta of Rapid City, SD, Bill (Eusevia) of Lexington, NE and Tim (Amy) of Rapid City, SD; six grandkids: Joy Hahne, Jessie Ellis, Isabel Ellis, Buddy Stevens, Bailey Ellis, and Catherine Ellis; and eleven great grandchildren: Blake, Bianca, Gabe, William, Leyla, Josiah, Isaac, Talon, Marley D, Harper, and Remington. He is also survived by special friends Jerry and Joann Wingert and Alice Odens.
Preceding him in death were his parents William and Ester, his three brothers Dale, Gordon, and Wayne; a sister Natalie Ellis, two granddaughters Angel Stevens and Whitney Stevens.
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