Robert Whitney

Funeral services for Robert Whitney were held on Friday, April 15, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at the Prairie View Gospel Barn in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Wade Harr officiating.

Sally Shaffer was in charge of registration and flower attendants were Josh, Marie, Wyatt, and Waylon Friendshuh.

Casket bearers were Delbert Whitney, Rod Whitney, Clayton Whitney, Frank Kenzy, Ryan Kenzy, and Rod Schuiling. Honorary casket bearers were Richard Shaffer, Dennis Kenzy, Ralph Schuiling, and Bob’s friends and neighbors.

Interment was in the Iona Cemetery in Iona, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Robert Harold Whitney was born June 23, 1936, south of Kennebec, SD, on the family farm to Harold and Margaret (Hamer) Whitney. He attended Peyton Country School, then Kennebec High School, and graduated in 1954. Robert was drafted into the U.S. Army and stationed in Korea on March 7, 1958, and discharged on March 4, 1960, as private first class.

Bob and Jean (Wagner) Whitney were united in marriage October 26, 1963, in the Zion Lutheran Church in Presho, SD. To this union three boys were born: Delbert, Rodney, and Clayton. Bob and Jean moved to Rapid City, SD, so Jean could finish business classes, and he went to work at the Hubbard Feed Mill. Then, in 197, they moved to White River and Bob worked for a rancher.

Finally, they moved to Hamill, SD, to a ranch where Bob resided with his family. He ranched the rest of his life and raised his family on that ranch. Bob’s hobbies were riding horses, visiting neighbors, and playing cards with family and friends. He enjoyed having a good cold beer and could roll a cigarette faster than someone could pull it out of their pack. Bob loved seeing his grandkids and great grandkids. In his younger days, he was in the rodeo as a bareback rider, and later in life he loved attending rodeos. Bob was a true cowboy with a wild side.

Robert passed away at Winner Regional Long Term Care on April 10, 2022.

Robert is survived by his children Delbert (Kim) Whitney of Hamill, SD, Rodney (Lori) Whitney of Iona, SD, and Clayton (Holly) Whitney of Gregory, SD; grandchildren: Lilly Whitney, Tucker (Tanya) Whitney, Ben and Bonnie Whitney, Zane (Brandi) Whitney, and Samantha Whitney; great-grandchildren: Tj and Trig Whitney; brother and sisters: Connie Whitney, Gracie (Ed) Stiefvater, Marilyn Walling, and Harriet (Jim) Ginsbach; and brothers-in-law: Curly Schoenfelder and Jerry Worlie.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean, father and mother Harold and Margaret Whitney, brother Ronnie Whitney, sister Josie Schoenfelder, sister Betty Worlie, sister-in-law Wanda Whitney, brother-in-law Ken Walling, niece Brenda Stiefvater, nephew Dan Stiefvater, and sister and brother-in-law Vince and Faye Endres.