Hoven: Robert "Bobby" Dreis, 56, Hoven, died Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, at his home. Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Hoven, with Father Kevin Doyle as celebrant. Organist will be Alice Simon and St. Anthony's Church Choir will sing. Bobby's niece, nephews, daughter and son-in-law will be offertory gift bearers and will place the pall. Lector will be Don Seurer, Eucharistic minister will be Kathy Dreis, and Mass server will be Peter Rausch.
Visitation will begin at the church 5 p.m. Friday, with a wake service at 7 p.m.
Robert George Dreis, son of Mary (Seurer) and William Dreis, was born at Holy Infant Hospital in Hoven on Sept. 20, 1956. He was raised on his family's farm five miles north and one mile east of Hoven. His formal education consisted of St. Anthony's Catholic School and Hoven High School, Class of 1974. He went on to farm with his dad and helped on neighboring farms. In the mid-1990's, Bill retired and Bobby took over operation of the farm and ranch.
Bobby married Jean (Arbach) Reuer at Hoven on Sept. 21, 2001. They settled in Hoven and Bobby continued farming. He was diagnosed with liver cancer January 2012.
Bobby belonged to St. Anthony's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He was a faithful church member who had committed himself to perpetual adoration. He served his community and was currently on the Walworth County Conservation Board and was formerly on the Hoven Equity Board. He belonged to Future Farmers of America (FFA) in high school and as an adult was an FFA mentor. Bobby's politics were very conservative and while doing his farming, he found listening to talk radio to be very enlightening as well as an entertaining pastime.
He loved animals and they loved him. Most candid photos of Bobby also have at least one animal in it. As Jean said, "Bobby loved life, farming and family."
Bobby is survived by his wife, Jean; one daughter, Aimee (Jay) Arbach of Las Vegas, Nev.; his grandson, Bryce Arbach, who meant the world to him; his sister-in-law, Kathy Dreis and her and Art's children: Casey (Stacy) Dreis of Brookings, Patrick (Tina) Dreis of Milbank, Scott (Laura) Dreis of Aberdeen, and Erin Dreis of Pierre; and five great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, on Oct. 5, 2006; his mother, on May 26, 1988; and his brother, Art on May 24, 2005.
Casketbearers will be Jerry Brickner, Michael Seurer, Charles Simon, and Gary Arbach of Hoven, David Kaup of Balaton, Minn., and Darrell Seurer of Casper, Wyo.
Lien Funeral Home, Bowdle, is in charge of arrangements.
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