Robert LeRoy “Bob” Bushman, lifelong resident of Lincoln County and the Lake Benton area, died at the Hendricks Hospital on May 27th, 2020 at the age of 92 years, 11 months and 27 days. He was born on June 23, 1927 to Lee and Laura (Johannsen) Bushman in Drammen Township, where he grew up on their farm. He was baptized and confirmed at Peace Church in Elkton, South Dakota in 1941. He attended school through the eighth grade at District 62, and then graduated from Lake Benton High School in 1945. After high school, he worked with his father and brother on the family farm. On July 17, 1949, Bob married Marie Cyriacks at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lake Benton. They were blessed with five children and 64 years of life together. The couple farmed in Drammen Township for 50 years. Bob also worked as an agent for American Family Insurance. In 1999, they moved into Lake Benton.
Bob was a faithful member of St. John’s Lutheran Church where he served as an elder for 24 years, sang in the choir, ushered and was a member of the Men’s Club. He also worked as the church janitor. Bob was active in the community, serving on the Drammen Township Board for 40 years, as a board member of the local chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, and on the Lincoln County Committee for the aged. He was county chairman of the National Farmers Organization and was a member of the Drammen Farmers Club. In 2010, he was honored as the “Citizen of the Year” by the Lake Benton Chamber of Commerce.
Bob was proud of his community, his life as a farmer, and especially his family. He always took an interest in the lives of his children, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Bob enjoyed meeting and talking with people and was always able to make great conversation with anyone he met. He was a passionate Minnesota Twins fan and especially enjoyed being “circled by Bert” with Marie and his family when they celebrated their 60th wedding Anniversary at a Twins game in Minneapolis. Bob enjoyed woodworking, canning, traveling and dancing with Marie. His greatest joy was his family, and recently spoke of how truly blessed his life has been.
Bob is lovingly remembered by his children, Robert R. (Kathie) of Monticello, Minnesota; Randall (Deb) of Lake Benton; Rosalyn (Terry) Burke of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania; Ryan of Hutchinson, Minnesota; and, Russell (Pam) of Montrose, Minnesota; 12 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; his brothers, Norman and Jerry; his sister, Donna Wirt; sister-in-law Lorraine Brandt; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie, in 2014; also by his parents and brothers, Merle Bushman and Harvey Johannsen.
