KERKVLIET, Robert 1932-2002

KERKVLIET, VAN ACKEN, TRACY, KNOBLOCH, GRADERT, FRIEDRICH, BENNETT, GILBERTSON

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner (email)
Date: 1/4/2003 at 15:31:54

Robert Kerkvliet, 70, of Larchwood died Friday, Dec. 6, 2002, from lymphoma at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Funeral mass was Monday at The Church of St. Mary, Larchwood, with interment in Larchwood Cemetery.
Mr. Kerkvliet was born June 7, 1932, near Larchwood, the son of Gerard and Mathilda (Van Acken) Kerkvliet. He grew up in Larchwood and attended St. Mary's School until his senior year. The family moved to Sioux Falls and he graduated from Catherdral High School in 1949. He served in the air force from 1951-1955.
On June 10, 1953, he married Jenny Tracy in Larchwood. They lived in Florida for one and one-half years, then moved to Larchwood where they began farming. He was postmaster from 1968-1992. After retirement he continued to farm and worked for Farmers Elevator Co. and R&S Sanitation.
He served on the Larchwood Town Council two years and as mayor 12 years. He was a member of American Legion and Knights of Columbus.
Survivors include his wife; three sons, Tony, Ken and Scott, all of Larchwood; three daughters, Kathy Knobloch of Sioux Falls and Mrs. Craig (Laura) Gilbertson and Vicki Kerkvliet, both of Larchwood; 21 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Bill and Ferd, both of Larchwood, and three sisters, Veronica Gradert of Luverne, Minn., Agnes Friedrich of Rock Rapids and Marcella Bennett of Sioux Falls.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.