Funeral Service for Robert "Uncle Bob" William Beetem, Mato Khiza "Fights the Bear", will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at the St. Kateri Tekakwitha Hall, Sisseton, SD at 2:00 P.M. with CRE Gerald Heminger Jr. officiating. There will be an All-Night Wake on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, starting at 7:00 P.M. at the St. Kateri Tekakwitha Hall, Sisseton, SD. Drum Group will be The Cook Boys. Pall Bearers will be Leslie King, Vernon "Pasha" Renville Sr., Keith Gibson, Gavin Wolfe, James Wolfe, Brian Beetem, Joseph Wozna, Aaron Wozna, Cameron Charboneau, Zach Hill, and Leighton Hill. Honorary Pall Bearers will be All Bob's Relatives and Close Friends. Interment will be held at the Sisseton Cemetery, Sisseton, SD. The Cahill Funeral Chapel is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Robert "Bob" William Beetem was born on November 20, 1959, to John and Evelyn (White Turtle) Beetem in Rapid City, South Dakota, alongside his siblings Brian and Jackie. While living in Rapid City, he had a son, Keith Gibson. Later, in 1982, he moved to Sisseton, South Dakota, where he met Pamela. They were married for 12 years and had two daughters, Red Dawn and Emma. He was also blessed with four grandchildren: Jianna, Gavin, James, and Olivia. Bob traveled often and made many friends along the way. He loved the powwow trail and singing at the drum. He spent much of his time fishing and hunting with his buddies while pursuing his passion as an artist. Many of his paintings and drawings were displayed at Tekakwitha Fine Arts. IN 1989, Bob was featured in South Dakota Magazine: Artists of Sica Hollow. He loved his animals, whether it was breaking horses, training his dogs, or having them in the house. He was also a big Vikings fan. Bob was a storyteller who loved pulling pranks and telling stories that would end in a joke. His sense of humor taught us so much- to always be happy and smile. His smile was contagious, along with his laugh. Bob was a kind and gentle person, the type to give you the shirt off his back. But he meant business when the time came. He was a simple country boy whose heart lived in the Black Hills. He loved everyone. After all, he was "Uncle Bob".

Robert is survived by his children Keith Gibson, Red Dawn Beetem-Renville, and Emma Beetem-Renville; grandchildren Jianna Wolfe, Gavin Wolfe, James Wolfe, and Olivia Gibson; brother Leslie King; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents John (Jack) and Evelyn (White Turtle) Beetem; brother Brian Beetem; infant sister Lisa Beetem; sister Julie Nelson and Jackie Beetem; maternal grandparents Paul White Turtle and Josephine LaPointe; paternal grandparents John Beetem and Hazel Lundberg.