Funeral Mass for Robert Lee Arbach Sr., 76 of Browns Valley, MN will be held on Thursday, February 3, 2011 at 10:30 AM at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Sisseton, SD with the Rev. Fr.Norm Volk O.M.I. Celebrant. Organist will be Colette Hull and song leaders will be Cindy Marohl and Sandi Jaspers. Pallbearers will be Chris Hortness, Jeremy Arbach, Joey and Jeff Martin, Michael and Shane Baer, and Cade Miller. Honorary pallbearers will be all of Bob's Friends. Interment will in St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery, Sisseton, SD. Visitation will be on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 from 2:00 to 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM Prayer Service in the Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, SD. Robert was born near Hoven, SD to Peter and Mary (Jax) Arbach on October 21, 1934. He moved to rural Sisseton in 1938. After his education at St. Peter's Catholic School in Sisseton, he farmed with his father. Robert was united in marriage to Colleen Barrett on October 21, 1953 at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Sisseton, SD. They made their home NW of Sisseton on the family farm. Colleen passed away March 28, 1987. Bob continued to farm until 1992. Bob was united in marriage to Merle (Rusty) Reisdorf on June 5, 1992 at the Presbyterian Church, Browns Valley, MN. They made their home in Browns Valley, MN and Bob worked for the West Central Community Action Program driving the Head Start bus for several years. Bob liked hunting, fishing, reading, playing cards and games, bowling, dancing, watching the Minnesota Twins, and spending time with his family and grandchildren. Bob ended his journey on January 31, 2011 at the Browns Valley Healthcare Center after a long battle with cancer.
Robert is survived by his wife, Rusty Arbach of Browns Valley, MN; five children, Pamela (Richard) Martin of Mitchell, SD, Sandra (Neil) Vig of Peever, SD and Bonnie (Joel) Hortness of Peever, SD, Robert Arbach Jr. of Wilmot, SD and Jerry Arbach of Sisseton, SD; three step children, Vicki (Dan ) Turen of Welch, MN, Mark and Kathy Baer of Aberdeen, SD, and Kristi Kontz and Brian Daly of Alberta, MN; six grandchildren, seven step grandchildren; four great grandchildren and two step great grandchildren; two brothers, Reynold and Clarice Arbach of Sisseton, SD and Howard and Ardelle Arbach of Sisseton, SD.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Colleen, two brothers, Richard and Ray Arbach and two sisters, Ramona Simon and Lavera Skogen.