Services will be live streamed on Facebook at Scandia Lutheran Church .

Robert A. Eilmes was born March 21, 1949 in Yankton, South Dakota to Eugene and Fernetta (Snoozy) Eilmes. He died January 21, 2026 at Dougherty Hospice in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 76 years and 10 months.

Bob was a gentle soul, a devoted son and beloved brother and uncle. He was kind to all he came in contact with no matter their walk in life. He would lend a helping hand when ever needed with his time, talents or money.

Bob spent his youth in Yankton, SD and Norfolk, Nebraska with his family. He spent time on his grandparent's farm in Mission Hill and Strandburg, SD on his aunt and uncle's dairy farm helping with hay bales and farm chores. Bob worked to assist his family with the needed financial support which allowed his mother to attend nursing school.

You could say Bob was a "jack of all trades". He worked retail at Gibson Discount Center, renovated and painted houses with his uncle Melvin, sold water softeners and vacuum cleaners, fixed cars, kept a huge garden, did beautiful tile work, and was the family "moving company" as siblings came and went from location to location. Later in life he drove semi-trucks for many years.

His generosity is well known in his family – especially his nieces and nephews. He always managed to spend time with them and knew each well. He would sit and talk, lend a helping hand, take them on fishing and hunting trips. He would tease back and forth, defended and stood up for them all. They will all carry special memories of "Uncle Bob". Bob cared for his beloved mother for many years enabling her to remain in her home. As he traveled across country, if he saw something she would like, he would buy it and bring it home as a surprise.

His last act of generosity was to the University of South Dakota / Sanford School of Medicine Body Donation Program. He donated his body to teach the next generation of physicians about the ravages epilepsy does to the brain and nervous system. Bob will be dearly missed by his family.

Bob is survived by two daughters, Rebecca Bohnet of Yankton and Marlene Massey of Pensacola, FL; grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins, two sisters, Jeannie Meyer Hoagland of Sioux Falls and Jannine Purcell of Rapid City; and two brothers, Michael (Cheryl) Eilmes of Gordon, NE and Mitchell (Lois) Eilmes of Flandreau.

He is preceded in death by his brother, William Eilmes of Lockhart, TX; parents, Eugene (Fernetta) Eilmes; and grandparents, Fred (Anne) Snoozy and Adam (Selma) Eilmes.

Memorial services will be held at 2PM on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at Scandia Lutheran Church, 251 Broadway Street, Centerville, SD followed by a luncheon in the church fellowship hall. In Bob's memory, the family requests that all memorials be donated to Dougherty Hospice House, c/o Avera Foundation, 4509 S. Prince of Peace Plaza, Sioux Falls, SD, 57103.