Robert Dean Hurd

Robert Dean Hurd was born February 15, 1933 to Walter and Mamie (Johannsen) Hurd in Hendricks, Minnesota. He grew up on the family farm in Lincoln County, Minnesota. He attended Lake Benton Public School, graduating in 1952. He worked on the farm for a year after graduation and then enlisted in the United States Army, where he served from 1953-1955 as a demolition expert in Germany, attaining the rank of corporal. On January 7, 1954 Bob married Barbara Schmidt at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lake Benton. Their union was blessed with three children and 62 years of life together. He was baptized May 11, 1947 at the Methodist Church in Lake Benton, and became a confirmed member of St. John’s following their marriage. The couple lived in Lake Benton all 62 years of their married life, with Bob working various jobs after being discharged from the Army. He drove bulk milk truck for several years, worked for Gailord Williams Construction, installed Rusco windows for Tom Kelly, ran a pool hall, and drove the feed truck and worked in the Lake Benton Farmers Elevator for 34 years, retiring in 2000. Recently he had been a resident of Sunrise Manor Nursing Home in Tyler, Minnesota where on Friday, January 29, 2016 Bob died at the age of 82 years, 11 months, and 14 days.

Bob was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lake Benton, where he had served on the church council and been a member of the Men’s Club. He was very active in the community, being a member of the Henry Sollie American Legion Post #10 and of the VFW, served on the Lake Benton City Council for over 20 years, was a charter member of the Lake Benton Lions Club, a member of the Lake Benton Sportsman’s Club, and was a volunteer firefighter for over 30 years, serving as the Lake Benton Fire Chief for many years. He played football and basketball in high school, and played baseball for the Lake Benton town team after graduation, as well as fast pitch softball for the Green team for over 30 years. He enjoyed fishing, hobby farming, and raising feeder pigs. He especially enjoyed his family, which included an annual deer hunting weekend with his sons and grandsons.

Bob is lovingly remembered by his wife, Barb; his children, Jeff Hurd of Brandon, South Dakota, Mark Hurd of Lake Benton, Minnesota, and Caryl (Daryl) Schlapkohl of Lake Benton, Minnesota; 9 grandchildren: Hunter Hurd and Jesse (Chelsey) Klement - Hurd, Brandon (Jacque), Sean (Scout), Dayton (Jaci), and Steven (Diann) Hurd, and Michael (Shannen), Elsie Ann (Kyle), and Jon (Kristen) Schlapkohl; 2 step-grandchildren: Tosh Johnson and Ashton Beck; 10 great-grandchildren: Kellen, Korbin, and Kamryn Hurd, Taylor (Forbes), Maverick and Hendrix Hurd, Griffen and Liam Schlapkohl, and Hadley and Harper Hurd; 2 step-great-grandchildren: Connor and Olivia Johnson; four brothers: Ray Hurd of Lake Benton, Minnesota, Darwin Hurd of Pipestone, Minnesota, Richard (Corinne) Hurd of St. Cloud, Minnesota, and Jim (Sandy) Hurd of Springfield, Missouri; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Connie Hurd; brother, Floyd Hurd; sister, Beverly Kimball; sisters-in-law, Leah Hurd and Helen Hurd; and nephews Michael Kimball, Cory Hurd, and Toby Hurd.

Blessed be his memory.