Robert Mack Jr., age 86, of Ivanhoe, MN passed away on Monday, November 27, 2023 at the Lockwood House in Marshall, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ivanhoe, MN. Visitation will be Friday, December 1, 2023 at the church with Rosary at 4:45 p.m. and visitation from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Burial will be at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery, Ivanhoe, MN. Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel of Hendricks, MN is entrusted with the arrangements.
Robert Eugene Mack Jr. was born on June 2, 1937 in Limestone Township, Lincoln County, Minnesota to Robert Sr. and Anne (DeMartelaere) Mack. He attended country school through the eighth grade and then attended and graduated from West Central Agricultural School in Morris, MN. Bob started farming and doing mechanical work that lasted his entire life. He worked for Ivanhoe Implement for 47 years and then eventually became the manager. Bob was united in marriage to Rita Verschelde on January 25, 1958 at Saint Edward’s Catholic Church in Minneota, MN. To this union they were blessed with four children that they raised together in Ivanhoe. When Bob wasn’t tied up with work he enjoyed both Indian and Harley Davidson Motorcycles, airplanes and farming. Bob learned to fly with his dad and sister. Some of his very favorite things was being on the family farm, dancing with anyone (but especially Rita), and having fun interacting with his family. Attending his grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s events was always enjoyable for Bob. A special treat was one he rarely turned down, DQ ice cream. Bob was a member of Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church where he served as a CCD teacher, ACT (Active Catholic Teen) advisor, choir member, and on the cemetery board. He also served for 23 years on the parish council and was trustee member.
Grateful for having shared Bob’s life is his wife of 65 years, Rita Mack; his four children: Kevin Mack, Ivanhoe, Brenda (Harvey) Johnson, Egan, SD, Cheryl (Douglas) Varpness, Aurora, SD and Donna (Matt) Rutledge, Hayfield, MN; 10 grandchildren: Jesse (Patti) Mack, Kassondra (Jason) Kellen, Jerry Behnke Jr., Joshua (Amber) Behnke, Larame Behnke, Travis (Kaitlyn) Sik, Hunter Varpness, Cameron (Jessica) Rutledge, Caroline Rutledge and Kennady Rutledge; 17 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren; his siblings: Barb Mack, Andover, MN, Bev (Steve) Jacobs, Georgetown, TX, Rodney (Nancy) Mack, Meridian, ID; his in-laws: Eileen Differding and Carol Roles both of Minneota, Bernadette Verschelde, Osseo, MN, JoAnn Scheerhoorn, Sioux Falls, SD and Lewellyn Spinner, Prior Lake, MN; aunt, Donna (Mack) Shaffer, West Milton OH, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters-in-law: Margaret Spinner, Kathleen (Larry) Hoffman, Mary Ellen (Jim) Hanson; brothers-in-law: Ed Erickson, Alvin Differding, Ed Roles, David Verschelde, James Verschelde and Wayne Scheerhoorn.
