Robert "Bob" Kjorsvig

ROSLYN - Robert “Bob” Kjorsvig 86 of Roslyn passed away Monday February 20, 2017 at Strand Kjorsvig Living Center. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday February 25, 2017 at the Roslyn Lutheran Church in Roslyn, South Dakota. Inurnment will take place at a later date at the Roslyn Cemetery. Robert Duane Kjorsvig was born on Friday January 16, 1931 to Conrad and Hannah (Sandvig) Kjorsvig in Webster, South Dakota. The family lived on the Kjorsvig family farm which was homesteaded by his grandparents, Maria and Peder Kjorsvig in 1886. Bob attended school in Roslyn until the sixth grade when he and his Mother joined his Father in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His father, Conrad had left the farm to contribute to the WWII war efforts. Although Bob graduated from South High in 1949 and continued his education at Dunwoody Technical School in Minneapolis, he maintained strong ties to the homestead and continued to spend summers and long weekends working side by side with his uncles, Palmer, Ole and Carl. On January 6, 1951, he married his high school sweetheart, Sally Ann Hall in Minneapolis. The couple made their home in Minnesota where three children were born; Joan, James, and Thomas. Bob was a hard worker, committed to his many entrepreneurial ventures; he operated Lake Pulaski Resort, partnered with YK Industries, developed Three R’s Rehabilitation Center and built from the ground up, Prestige Products. Even in “retirement” after the couple returned to the family farm in South Dakota, they raised over 200 Norwegian Fjord Horses, re-opened the Roslyn Creamery and he served as interim administrator of the SK Living Center. Bob loved collecting anything and everything. You could call him the original “American Picker”! Bob never told a story that wasn't worth repeating and told them often, but best over a cup of coffee. Bob was a member of the Roslyn Lutheran Church, Eden Lions Club, and former President of Minneapolis Zuhrah Shrine Horse Patrol. He was a lifelong member of the Compass Masonic Lodge and served as the Associate Guardian of the Job’s Daughters Bethel #39. Bob was a frequent traveler and enjoyed his trips to Mexico, Ireland, Switzerland and Norway. He also enjoyed his time on Lake Vermilion, family and friends share fond memories of Spider Island. Living the cowboy's life was something special to Bob, he traveled to Arizona for annual Caballero rides. Traveling one hundred and three miles through the desert, his fellow riders certified to his being a great fellow and a fine camp mate. Robert took great pride in his family’s heritage, he served as the conduit, connecting five generations of Kjorsvigs to the dreams of the original 10-acre homestead. Because of his commitment to maintain the land and buildings, Bob received the South Dakota Centennial Farm award, meaning the homestead had been in the family for more than 100 years. His family will keep his vision for the homestead alive not only in his honor but because of Maria, Peder, Hannah and Conrad’s values that he instilled in all of us. He will be greatly missed by his wife Sally of Roslyn, SD, daughter Joan (Donald) Kjorsvig-Beans of Ely, MN, son James (Janet) Kjorsvig of Maple Grove, MN, four grandchildren: Matthew (Shaina) Saari, Rajiv Kjorsvig, Cynthia Beans, and Kirsten Kjorsvig. Robert was fortunate to have a great many close friends, colleagues and comrades who always showed up no matter how eccentric the project he had in mind might have been. And we thank you, from the bottom of our hearts for showing up today to celebrate the life of a man we all love dearly. Bob passed away in Roslyn, South Dakota at the age of 86 years, one month, and four days.