Robert "Bob" Banken

Robert “Bob” Banken, age 80, of rural Appleton, passed away Friday evening, January 6, 2023, in Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD.  Visitation will be held 9-11 a.m., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., Saturday, January 14, 2023, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Appleton.  Fr. Brian Oestreich will officiate.  The family is asking for attendees to wear Bob’s favorite color, red. Burial will be in Appleton City Cemetery.

Robert Floris Banken was born July 20, 1942, in Benson, Minnesota, the son of Floris and Evelyn (Muehlbauer) Banken.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. Malachy Catholic Church in Clontarf.  Bob was raised on a farm north of Appleton.  He purchased his own farm just one mile down the road and lived and farmed there his entire life.  On November 24, 1967, he was united in marriage to Jean Elizabeth Kepner at St. Malachy Catholic Church by Fr. Cooney.  This union was blessed with over 55 years together and three children: Kevin, Dan, and Karen.

He truly loved farming, and even this fall he was able to help with harvest, at least as much as his health would allow. He was mechanically gifted and used this gift to fix just about anything around the farm.  Bob was a long-time member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Appleton, where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus.  He served in the MN National Guard from 1965 to 1971.  Bob was also a member of the Swift County Farm Bureau.

In his spare time Bob loved spending time with his family, traveling, and tinkering around in his shop. He enjoyed watching Gunsmoke, old westerns, and anything to do with WWII. Throughout his lifetime Bob was an animal lover and meticulously cared for a succession of German Shepherds and an ever-changing herd of barn cats.

Bob passed away Friday, January 6, 2023, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He attained the age of 80 years, 5 months, and 17 days. Bob is survived by his wife Jean of Appleton; his children: Kevin (Leanne) Banken of Brookings, SD, Dan (Jennifer) Banken of Deltona, FL, and Karen Banken of Sioux Falls, SD; his Siblings; Carol (Dave) Reischl, Diane (Dom) Daninger, Mary Beth Banken, Butch (Kathy) Banken, Tom (Jane) Banken, Bill (Cynthia) Banken, Donald (Diane) Banken, Jerry (Maxine) Banken, Tim Banken (Lori Bliss), David (Roxanne) Banken, Mark Banken (Kim Fortier), Judy (Jim) Carruth, and John (Cathy) Banken; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Floris and Evelyn Banken.

Blessed be the memory of Robert Floris Banken.