Robert "Bob"

F. Walnofer

Robert "Bob" Francis Walnofer, 95, of O'Neill, died Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023 at Avera St. Anthony's Hospital in O'Neill.

Visitation was held Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023 at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Ewing with a wake service.

Funeral services were held Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, at the church in Ewing. Fr. John Norman officiated.

Burial was in the St. Patrick's Cemetery in rural Clearwater. 

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Snider Memorial Funeral Home in Clearwater was in charge of the arrangements.

Robert was born on Feb. 8, 1928 at home near Emmet, to Alvin and Laura (Steskal) Walnofer. The family moved to Newman Grove, then north of Orchard. He attended school through eighth grade and afterwards chose to stay home to work with his dad. One of his favorite stories to tell was describing how much corn he could pick by hand in one day.

   Bob married Bernadine Thramer on Nov. 26, 1949 at St. John's Catholic Church south of Ewing. To this union 11 children were born during nearly 70 years of marriage.

Bob and Bernadine made their home on a farm northeast of Ewing for 33 years. In 1982, they moved to the ranch near Chambers. Several years later they moved into Chambers. Their final move was in 2000 to a newly built home in O'Neill. Later in life, the couple enjoyed spending winters in Florence, AZ. 

They were members of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Ewing and St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill.

Bob grew up farming and continued after marriage. He raised corn, soybeans and hay along with using pipe irrigation. Also, raised livestock and milked cows throughout the years. He did custom farm work for neighbors in the area and worked at the Ewing and O'Neill sale barns. He left farming to become a rancher and loved that lifestyle.

Bob was an inspiration for the building of the Country Lane Retirement Village in O'Neill. His generous donation helped that vision come to fruition. He entered County Lane in 2019 as a resident in an independent cottage, then moved to assisted living, and finally to the memory  care unit. 

During those years he enjoyed going for car rides with his kids around the countryside. When passing farmsteads, he had the sharpest memory of knowing who lived there or who previously owned the land. 

Bob was also a dedicated caregiver for Bernadine at home when she developed Alzheimer's. Later she resided at the Atkinson Nursing Home and Country Lane for almost eight years. He was a consistent visitor by her side to ensure her well-being. 

   Bob is survived by his 10 children Terry (Debbie) Walnofer of Charleston, AR, Carmen (Bill) Richmond of Grant, Tom Walnofer of Ewing, Steve (Rae) Walnofer of Jasper, MO, Nancy (Vince) Price of Lincoln, Kathy (Gregg) Bartak and Jill (Randy) Switzer, all of Ewing, Ted (Karla) Walnofer of Tea, SD, Al (Brenda) Walnofer of Chambers and Rod (Kelly) Walnofer of Van Alstyne, Texas; one son-in-law Mark (Connie) Anderson of Miami, OK; 32 grandchildren; 54 great-grandchildren; three siblings Marilyn (Emil) Cattau of Norfolk, Jim (Barbara) Walnofer of Orchard and Vernon (Janet) Walnofer of San Bernardino, CA; and one sister-in-law Yvonne Thramer of Ewing.

He was preceded by death by his wife Bernadine in 2019, one daughter Paulette Anderson in 2021 and two sisters Viola (Ferdy) Hupp and Joan (Mark) Thramer.