Robert L. "Bob" Turpen, Sr.

Robert L. “Bob” Turpen, Sr., 78, of Dakota City, passed away Wednesday, March 16, 2022 peacefully at his home.  Visitation will be Tuesday, March 22, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. at Mohr & Becker-Hunt Funeral Home in South Sioux City.  

Bob was born the son of Leo and Katherine (Heinert) Turpen on January 28, 1944 in Newell, South Dakota.  He married June Higginbotham on October 17, 1969 in Sioux City, Iowa.  They made their home in Sioux City and South Sioux before settling in Dakota City. 

Bob was a “jack of all trades” kind of guy.  He worked many jobs over the years including Custom Woodworks, Walmart, and Knoepfler Chevrolet.

Bob was a member of the Spirit of the 50s Car Club.  He enjoyed going to the Chevy Fest Car Show in Dakota City and the Classic Affair Car Show in Omaha for over 25 years.  He passed on his love for cars to his sons who joined in at the shows over the years.  Bob also enjoyed watching the Game Show Network, rummaging around at the Fremont Swap Meet, and tinkering in his garage.  He was a die-hard 49ers and Husker fan.  He enjoyed coaching softball for his daughter’s teams for several years, and rarely missed any of his grandson’s soccer games.

Bob is survived by his wife, June Turpen of Dakota City; children, Angela (Shane) Johnson of South Sioux City, Robert Turpen, Jr. of Sioux City, and Michael (Kari) Turpen of Jefferson; siblings, Adam Turpen of Riverton, Wyoming, Eva Waters of Santa Rosa, California, and Leonard Turpen of Layton, Utah; Grandson, Dakotah Turpen of Sioux City, step-grandchildren, Abbigail Bailey and Nolan Bailey of McCook Lake, and many great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Jennah Turpen; siblings, Caroline Heffernen and her husband Donald, Leo R. Turpen; brother in infancy, LeRoy Turpen; brother-in-law, Wayne Waters; and sister-in-law, Sherry Turpen.