Robert J. Shirek

Bob Shirek, age 67, resident of Lankin, ND, died peacefully, but unexpectedly in his sleep on Sunday, April 2, 2017 in the only home he ever lived in.

Robert James Shirek was born June 5, 1949 in Devils Lake, ND the son of Frank and Agnes (Kouba) Shirek. He was baptized, had his first communion, and confirmed at Bechyne, rural Lankin. Bob attended his elementary years of school at Perth Township one-room school house. He transferred to Michigan Public School where he graduated in 1967. Bob joined the National Guard immediately after high school. He then returned home to farm with his father. In 1968, he alongside, Daniel Shirek and Charlie Ryba, started SSR Pump Co.

On June 30, 1972 he was united in marriage to Mary Kay Anderson at St. Lawrence O’Toole Catholic Church in Michigan, ND. Bob and Kay were blessed with four children, Amy in 1973, Nicole in 1975, Tracy in 1978 and completing their family, Ryan in 1981. He retired from farming and started working for Dennis Anderson in 1995. Bob was active in the American Legion for many years, a charter member of the Rainbow Lodge Hunting Club, and served as a Walsh County Water Commissioner since February 2000 until the time of his passing. He was currently serving on the Devils Lake Basin Water Board. Bob and Kay were both active members of St. Lawrence O’Toole Catholic Church while they raised their family. With Kay’s passing, Bob had rejoined Bechyne. When Kay passed away suddenly on October 14, 2010, Bob decided he was going to live life to the fullest. Six months later in April of 2011, Bob, Amy, his sister Kathleen, niece Tammy and cousins Ed, Jan and Kim Kouba took the trip of a lifetime to the Czech Republic; food, drink, and memories were wonderful. Bob also traveled to Texas multiple times to visit Amy and Nicole’s families. Highlights included a trip to San Antonio and drinking and eating on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. At the end of January, Bob and all of his kids celebrated what would have been Kay’s 65th birthday in Las Vegas. He fulfilled a lifetime dream of seeing the Hoover Dam. Attending “The Rat Pack Review” was also a special event.

While Bob enjoyed traveling, his true passion was fishing. Ryan and Bob traded up ice fish houses to match the growing number of grandkids that would accompany them. Bob loved taking all of his grandkids fishing and watching their various activities.

Bob is survived by his daughters, Amy (Mark) Streifel, Spring, TX, Nicole (Shaun) Sjolin, Conroe, TX, Tracy (Wayne) Larson, Brocket, ND; son and best friend, Ryan (Jamy) Shirek, Michigan, ND; grandchildren, Julia and Claire Streifel, Spencer and William Sjolin, Brady, Abigail, and Emily Larson, Faith and Jake Shirek; sister, Kathleen Frank of Olivia, MN; many nieces and nephews; mother-in-law, Mary Lou Anderson of Grand Forks ND; and Kay’s extended family.

Bob was preceded in death by the love of his life, Kay; his parents; his newborn sister, Mary Jane; brother, Tom and sister-in-law, Michele’ Shirek; brother-in-law, Robert Frank; father-in-law, Kenny Anderson; nephew, John Swanson; and great great nephew Gabriel Wray.

The Memorial Mass will be held at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Bechyne, rural Lankin, on Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be at the Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral home, Lakota, on Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Bechyne cabinetry fund, the church cemetery, or the Lakota Library fund.