Robert Klages, 85, of Watertown formerly of Miller, passed away Sunday, September 26, 2021, at his home.

Graveside service will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 8, 2021, at Hillcrest Cemetery, Miller. Please join the family for refreshments and fellowship at the Trinity Lutheran Church Hall following burial.

Robert was born in rural Hand County on June 12, 1936, to Carl and Emma (Lorenz) Klages of Miller, SD.  He attended elementary school in a rural schoolhouse until his family moved to Miller at the age of 9 years old.  On October 6, 1957, he married Kay Rowan at Rose Hill Presbyterian church in rural Wessington, SD.  They moved to Minneapolis until August of 1958 before returning to Miller.

Robert was drafted into the US Army in December of 1958 and was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, before being sent to Crailsheim, Germany in April of 1959.  Kay joined him in Germany in December of 1959 and their daughter Rhonda was born in Stuttgart, Germany in 1960.  Robert was discharged from the Army in November of 1960 and that same year the family returned to Miller.

Robert worked for Niederauer Construction during the construction of the Oahe and Fort Thompson Dams.  In 1965, he hired on with Don Husted Electric and became an electrician.  He installed carpet for a few years and was an electrician for Bounds Electric and Old Sarge Electric before working for Ree Electric Cooperative until he retired in 1996.  For several years after that, he repaired appliances out of his home in Miller. Bob and Kay moved to Watertown in 2006 to relocate closer to their children.

Bob enjoyed fishing and hunting when he was younger.  He was an avid bird watcher and caretaker, was a HAM radio operator for many years, and was active in Trinity Lutheran Church in Miller.  He loved raising his girls and doing projects in his home, and he frequently traveled to their homes over the years to share his skills as an electrician, carpenter and flooring installer.  He loved tools and had an impressive collection from his many years on the job.  When there was something that needed to be done, Bob showed up.  For the past decade, he had become an accomplished cook, baking delicious meals and desserts for his family.

Bob is survived by his daughters: Rhonda (Steven) Blickensderfer of West Fargo, ND, and Susan Dahl of Watertown, SD; three grandchildren: Miranda, Katelynd, and Alexander; and his brother, Kenneth (Pearl) Klages.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Kay; father, Carl; mother, Emma; and a brother, Roger Klages.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Robert’s arrangements.

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