Robert (Bob) L. Reuter of Cherokee passed away on June 29, 2026, the Feast of St. Peter, his confirmation Saint, at his son's home in Littleton, Colo. He was 92.
A funeral was held Wednesday, July 8, at St. Mary Catholic Parish in Littleton, Colo. Burial was immediately afterward at Littleton Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at Immaculate Conception Church in Cherokee at a later date this summer.
Robert was born in Hospers on Sept. 5, 1933. He was the sixth of eight children born to Johanna Stapenhorst and Leo Reuter. He lived on the family farm outside of Hospers until he attended and graduated from business school in Omaha, Neb., in 1957.
While working at Douglas Feeds in Elkhorn, Neb., he met Nancy C. Osgard of Sioux City. He relished telling the story about how he got up the nerve to sit down at a table of four ladies at the Wayside Inn in Le Mars. He asked one of those ladies, Nancy, to take a short ride in his convertible. It was a classic “farm boy meets city girl.” She said she loved “his car,” but we know the attraction was much deeper than that. They were married in Sioux City on Aug. 8, 1959. Their faithful love over 66 years of marriage continues to be an inspiration to their family.
Following marriage, they took up residence in Cherokee. Bob worked at Walnut Grove Feeds, eventually becoming plant manager for 20 years. After a brief retirement in the early 90s, he took a part-time job delivering flowers for Rhoadeside Florists for 12 years. He never tired of being greeted with smiles the flowers he delivered would bring.
Robert and Nancy had two sons, Kirk in 1960 and John in 1964. He was a loving father with a great sense of humor. Neighborhood kids on Hill Street would line up around his porch to view the “frog in his arm” which appeared magically when he flexed his bicep.
His biggest affections were for his family and his five grandchildren who were the apples of his eye. They fondly remember being chased by grandpa in games of monster and hide and seek, receiving “speeding tickets” when riding bikes around the driveway, and playing endless rounds of mini golf.
He and Nancy began sojourning half time in Rapid City upon Nancy’s retirement. There they were able to enjoy the beautiful hills and two of their grandsons in great measure. For many years they also spent a summer month in Vail, Colo., which became a gathering place for the Colorado Reuters. As an avid biker, he enjoyed biking up to Vail Pass in the mornings and coasting back into town. One morning, when the Coors Racing Classic was in town, he was cheered by the crowd as he glided across the finish line, having inadvertently entered the race course.
Bob was a devoted member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Cherokee. He loved a good hymn and was never bashful about belting it out for Jesus.
He was also an avid vegetable gardener and a diehard Packers fan. His tomato growing contests with his brother Harold, while not bloodthirsty, were as heated as their Bears/Packers rivalry. One of his favorite memories was his pilgrimage to Lambeau Field, and he was a proud owner of one share of Packer stock. To his many nemesis nephew Viking fans, the razzing and bets that went on over the years were a constant source of good-natured fun. Also an avid Dodger fan, he was able to see a game at Chavez Ravine (and dine on the infamous Dodger dog). He reveled in the last two years of Dodger World Series wins.
While not a born traveler, his wife formed him into one. His favorite destination was the Norwegian fjords where he tasted his most memorable fruit: raspberries the size of strawberries. He loved food, and one of his peculiar gifts was the ability to remember in detail meals he had eaten deep in the past. His favorite treat was Colorado peaches, and the whole family loved snacking on his specialty homemade Chex Mix. He looked forward to loose meats from Bob’s Drive Inn and Blue Bunny ice cream in Le Mars on his Sunday visits to see his sister. On his son Kirk’s birthday this June 26, he had solid foods for the first time in six months. He was ecstatic about the Tiefenthaler brat, his granddaughter’s chocolate raspberry cake and a well earned gin and tonic.
More than anything else, Bob will be remembered for his generosity and devotion to his fellow man. He served family, friends and those in need: volunteering as a senior companion to nursing home residents, serving on the Long Term Care review board, faithfully visiting his sister, keeping up his mother-in-law’s home, participating in the Little Pal program in Cherokee, helping neighbors with yard work and financial matters, and immersing himself in his co-workers lives. He was especially generous in supporting schools and students in underserved parts of our nation and the wider world.
Bob was born with severe hip dysplasia. He never let that affect what he sought to accomplish in life. His fortitude was an inspiration to those around him. He has finished the race and now rests pain-free with his Lord and maker.
He is survived by his wife Nancy Reuter; sister Rosella Reuter; son Kirk (Kathy) Reuter of Littleton, Colo.; daughter-in-law Tamara Poling of Rapid City, S.D.; and grandchildren: Ian Reuter and Ethan Reuter of Huntsville, Ala.; Erik (Kirsten) Reuter, Annika (Cameron) Schimmoller and Kari Reuter of Littleton, Colo. He also was great-grandfather to Leo Schimmoller and baby Reuter, due this week to Erik and Kirsten.
