Robert "Bob" Reese, age 85, of Luverne, Minn., passed away on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, at The Cottage in Luverne.
Memorial visitation was from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at St. Catherine Catholic Church. Inurnment was
Robert "Bob" Wayne Reese was born Dec. 17, 1940, to Arnold and Ruth (VandeVelde) Reese in Luverne, Minn. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Catherine Church in Luverne. Bob grew up on the family farm, six miles north of Beaver Creek, Minn., where he lived the majority of his life, having lived in Springwater Township his entire life. While growing up he helped neighbors with corn shelling, and baling hay and straw. He enjoyed riding motorcycle and causing chaos with his brothers. During high school he played basketball and football. Bob graduated from Beaver Creek High School in 1960.
On Sept. 18, 1971, Bob was united in marriage to Judy McCarty at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Alvord, Iowa. This union was blessed with two children. Bob worked the land as a farmer and raised cattle. When his children, Diane and Dennis, were growing up it was like "Old McDonald's Farm". Bob would go to the sale barn on Saturdays and bring home new animals for the kids to "take care of". Over the years he brought home ducks, geese, guineas, turkeys, rabbits, and pigs. Bob felt the kids needed some responsibility doing chores. If Bob wasn't working on something in the yard, he was helping the neighbors. They would take turns helping with the fieldwork, machinery, mowing and baling, and working the cattle. Before Bob got a cattle trailer, he would round up a crew and move cattle with pick-ups, horses, three-wheelers, and by foot to a different pasture. Sometimes it went well. Other times a few curse words might have slipped out. Bob worked in construction and farmed for most of his life before deciding that was enough and he "retired". He got rid of the cattle, but kept "helping" Dennis with the farming until 2022.
Bob enjoyed fishing, doing word finds, and fixing the grand-boys' bikes. He would take his kids and grandsons to Bakke's Pond to catch bullheads galore. His fishing trips with friends took them to Canada, Arkansas, and the Missouri River. Many drinks were consumed, fish caught, and a good time was had by all.
On Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, passed away at The Cottage in Luverne at the age of 85 years, nine months and 18 days.
Bob is remembered by his wife, Judy of Luverne; children, Diane (Jarod) Rowden of Luverne; and Dennis Reese (special friend, Shannon) of Jasper, Minn.; grandchildren, Taylor Reese of Sioux Falls, Tanner (Liz) Rowden of Miller, S.D., Cole Reese and Thomas Reese of Pipestone; step-granddaughters, Paige (John) Dougherty of Salem, Mo., and Tori (Jeremy) Wolf of Valley Springs, S.D.; great-grandchildren, Easton Rowden, Faith Wolf, and Lily Dougherty; siblings, Arnold "Bud" (Carol) Reese of Milaca, Minn., Mary Nath of Magnolia, Minn., Sue (Don) Juntunen of Menahga, Minn., and Micheal (Candace) Reese of Luverne.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Ruth Reese; and brother, Daryl (Judy) Reese; and brother-in-law, Johannes Nath.
Memorials are preferred and may be directed to the family.
