Robert "Bob" Pautsch

Sioux Falls - Services for Robert "Bob" Pautsch, 52, Sioux Falls, formerly of Aberdeen, are 10 a.m. Wednesday Aug. 18, 2004, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 214 Seventh Ave. S.W.; Pastor Brian Idt officiating. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Bob died Friday, Aug. 13, of an apparent heart attack while driving a semi near Kearney, Neb. Spitzer Funeral Home, 320 Sixth Ave. S.E., is in charge of arrangements. Visitation is 2 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, with family present from 6 to 9 p.m. and one hour prior to the funeral. Bob "Cubby" Pautsch was born March 20, 1952, to John and Lena (Ganje) Pautsch at Aberdeen. He attended school in Aberdeen, graduating from Central High School in 1970. During high school he was a member of the Golden Eagles football, basketball and track teams and participated in Boys' State. He attended Northern State University and worked for Dahme Construction until he rode with his stepfather, Clarence Gebhardt, in his semi and decided he also wanted to be a truck driver. He began his career as a truck driver working for Midwest Coast and worked for various trucking firms. At the time of his death, he was employed by K & J Trucking in Sioux Falls, where he had worked since 1989. In 1985, Bob married Pat Grunendike at Aberdeen, and they had one daughter, Brittany. Bob loved fishing and camping with his daughter and hunting trips with his friends. Brittany was his pride and joy, and he was always willing to share with others about her academic accomplishments and musical talent. He enjoyed cross-country trips with her, and both Bob and Brittany were Green Bay Packer fans. Cubby was a carefree spirit and loved life to its fullest. Always a kid at heart, he was never at a loss for words and was quick to make people laugh or brighten their day. Cubby touched the lives of everyone he knew or met in a special way. Grateful for having shared his life are his daughter: Brittany Pautsch of Sioux Falls; good friend: Pat Pautsch of Sioux Falls; two brothers: Jerry Ganje and Don (Joyce) Ganje, both of Aberdeen; sister: Pat (Rolland) Wilhelm of Faulkton; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: John Pautsch and Lena Pautsch Gebhardt; his stepfather: Clarence Gebhardt; and one brother, Gene Pautsch. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials. Casketbearers will be Don Ganje Jr., Scott Ganje, Clay Wilhelm, Ryan Wilhelm, Brian Slack, Brian Sauer, Jack Kushman, Jim Bruse and Charlie Brenden. The organist will be Sheri Scott and soloist will be Pastor Bruce Adams. The ushers will be Howard Dahme and David Swanhorst.