Robert "Bob" James Mahowald, 67
Watertown, SD
April 21, 1954 - July 24, 2021
A Caring and loving husband, father, brother, and friend to many, Robert "Bob" James Mahowald passed away, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at the age of 67 in his home in Watertown, SD.
Bob was fighting cancer for the last eight years of his life, surpassing his original diagnosis by three whole years. He showed his strength and ability to laugh, smile, and push on through anything.
Robert "Bob" James Mahowald was born to Joseph C. and Patricia A. (Lynch) Mahowald on April 21, 1954 in Huron, SD. He grew up in Huron where he attended school, graduating from Huron High School. He graduated from USD in Vermillion, SD with a BA degree in history.
On March 6, 1981, he married Debra Jean Taylor at St. Martin's Catholic Church in Huron. They adopted Brian Mahowald. Bob worked at Mahowald's Hardware, Montgomery Real-estate Agency and was manager of Sherwin Williams, Pittsburgh, and Iowa Paints in various locations.
Bob was an avid golfer and musician. He played golf every week with his friends and enjoyed playing in his band whenever he got the chance. Getting coffee with his friends was something he looked forward to every week.
He will forever be remembered as "King" by his family and friends for golf; for his passionate love affair with ice cream cones; for his humor; the random one liners that could make a whole room erupt with laughter until their abs hurt. Bob had a sense of humor and timing that he got from his father, and it was handed down to his son, Brian.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Debra "Deb" Taylor Mahowald; his son Brian Mahowald of River Falls, WI; his brothers: Chuck Mahowald and Denis (Peg) Mahowald of Huron, SD, Martin (Betsy) Mahowald of St. Cloud, MN, John (Maryanne) Mahowald of Sartell, MN, and Joseph (Elizabeth) Mahowald of Bayside, NY; his sister, Ann (Gene) Blondheim of Huron, SD; and his nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the CentraCare Heart and Vascular Center Integrated Health Program in St. Cloud, MN, Prairie Lakes Cancer Center in Watertown, SD; or Glacial Lakes Humane Society in Watertown.
Funeral mass will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 31, 2021, with visitation starting at 1:00 p.m., at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Watertown. Father John Fischer and Father Denis Meier will officiate. Joe Mahowald will be the cantor accompanied by Laura Atwood.
Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, Watertown, SD.
Pallbearers will be: Ann Blondheim, Chuck, Denis, John, Joe and Martin Mahowald and Gene Taylor.
Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel serving the family, www.wightandcomes.com.