Obituary of Robert H. Pieper

Robert H. Pieper, age 88 of Yankton passed away Friday, June 27, 2014 at the Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, SD. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Saturday, July 5, 2014 at Riverview Reformed Church, Yankton with Pastoral Intern Jeffrey Hubers officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories, Yankton with military graveside rites by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791 Honor Guard, Yankton and the Detachment One, Maintenance Company, Omaha Marines. Visitations will be 2 to 5 PM, Friday, July 4, 2014 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton, and then one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers are: Dave Spencer, Buddy Waters, Greg Stocking, Tony Ellis, Steve Frick, and Les Blindhaur. Honorary pallbearers are: Pete Peterson, Don Kramer, Chuck & Ruth Walburg, Dale & Sherry Oare and Gene & Marie Nash. Bob was born in Waukon, Iowa, on February 14th, 1926 to Elmer and Dorothy (Dravis) Pieper. He served in the United States Marine Corps during WWII in the Pacific Theater from 1944-1947. He was united in marriage to Ruby Peterson on December 14, 1944 in Worthington, MN. He worked as a manager for OP Skaggs Grocery stores in Worthington, MN and Sioux Falls, SD and for Duncan Hines and later as District Manager for Hershey Foods Corp. traveling South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wyoming. Bob and Ruby purchased Wholesale Supply Co. Inc. in 1968 and operated the business with their two sons, Rod and Bruce until 2003 when they sold the business to Bruce and wife, Teresa Pieper. Bob and Ruby loved to spend their winters in Mesa, AZ playing golf and enjoying spending time with their friends and family. He had resided in Letcher, South Dakota for the past seven years. He was a member of the Riverview Reformed Church, Hillcrest Country Club, and a lifetime member of Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791, Yankton. Bob is survived by his two sons, Rod (Becky) and Bruce (Teresa); five grandchildren: Jennifer Gemar (Mark) of Tripp, SD, Robbie Pieper (Amantha) of Yankton, SD Roxanne Woodle (Dan) of Yankton, SD, Chris Pieper of Yankton, SD and Miranda Hatchett (Pete) of Scottsdale, AZ; six great-grandchildren: Cade and Morgan Gemar, Dalton and Hailey Woodle, Bryce and Mackenize Hatchett; one brother, Roger Pieper of Clive, IA; special friend, Mary Ann Blindhaur of Letcher, SD and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby, his parents, brother, Richard, and brother-in-law, Robert (Pete) Peterson. Memorials are to be directed to the Riverview Reformed Building Fund, 1700 Burleigh, Yankton, SD 57078, Lewis and Clark Boy Scout Camp (Sioux Council), 800 N. West Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104 or charity of choice.