DE SMET — Robert (Bob) Leroy Montross, 76, of De Smet, passed away December 29, 2023, at his home.

Bob was born on March 24, 1947, to Lyle and Dollie (Page) Montross in Huron. He married Nancy Schultz in 1967. They had three children, Michelle, Michael, and Charity. Bob was a farmer and cattle producer near De Smet. He was an avid promoter of agriculture and the beef industry as well as being actively involved in community fundraising and development.

Bob served on the De Smet Township Board during the conception of the Lake Thompson revitalization project. He was an officer of the De Smet Cemetery Association. He was a founding member of the Kingsbury County Cattlemen of South Dakota that initiated the South Dakota legislative beef luncheon in the South Dakota Capitol Rotunda. Bob was a founding member of the non-profit Beef Bucks, Inc. and was instrumental in the organization’s partnership with the television show, Wheel of Fortune.

His tireless promotion of the beef industry was recognized by multiple local, regional, and national beef associations; South Dakota State University; and numerous agricultural publications. Among many honors through the years, Bob and his wife Nancy were recently awarded the 2023 Acts of Excellence Award by the South Dakota Hall of Fame for their work with the beef industry.

Bob was proud that he could utilize his contacts in the beef industry to support the late Gene Abdallah’s South Dakota Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner and Children’s Charity Fundraiser by annually acquiring the beef for the event. The event also includes an ongoing effort to provide Beef Bucks to South Dakota Highway Patrol for their distribution to law enforcement families in need, during the holidays.

Bob served as an organizer and fundraiser for the construction of the De Smet Event and Wellness Center, a project recognized by the Bush Foundation.

He was a founding member of the Legendary Highway 14 Tower Trail Project to help develop trails and a viewing tower near the shores of the legendary Silver Lake made famous in the Little Town on the Prairie books authored by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Bob worked diligently with local, state, and federal agencies on this project. In June 2023 Bob and Nancy were awarded the “Who Powers You” award by Touchstone Energy Cooperative for their community commitment. Bob said he would be donating the Cooperative’s prize money to support the Legendary Highway 14 Tower Trail Project, to help add another tourism draw to his favorite Little Town on the Prairie.

Bob is survived by his wife, Nancy; children, Michelle (Nathan Fetters), Michael (Shannon), Charity (Joe Kuhl); and four grandchildren, Reece Montross, Reagan Montross, William Kuhl, and Zetta Kuhl.

Memorials or donations may be made to the De Smet Cemetery, or to the De Smet Community Foundation (designating the Event Center or the Community Trails Project.)
Private Graveside Service: Tuesday, Jan. 2, at 10:30 a.m. at De Smet Cemetery in De Smet. Service officiated by Vicar Brad Sanderson and music provided by the Mennonite Choir. Pallbearers were Bob’s Grandchildren.

 
Celebration of Life: Tuesday, Jan. 2, from 12 to 2 p.m. at the De Smet Event Center in De Smet.

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