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Robert J. “Bob” Haakinson, 80, of Cherokee, formerly of Storm Lake, passed away on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Funeral mass will be held on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Father Brent Lingle will officiate. Burial will be held in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery at Storm Lake. Military rites will be performed by Alta V.F.W. Post #6172. Visitation with the family present will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 3, from 5-7 p.m. at Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee.
Bob was born on July 19, 1945, in San Diego, Calif., to Orval and Helen (Murphy) Haakinson. He attended school in Storm Lake and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1964. Bob enlisted in the United States Army in 1966 and served in Vietnam, where he was a distinguished helicopter pilot and earned the 17th-21st Oak Leaf Cluster medal. He then became in instructor until 1969.
He was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Teresa Ann Helman at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on June 16, 1966. Together they raised five children: Bonnie, Mike, Steve, Diane and Robin.
Bob farmed from 1970-1993. Together with his wife, Terri, they owned and operated The Frame N’Art Shoppe in Storm Lake. Bob was an accomplished artist with a love for painting and sketching.
He also enjoyed fishing, coin collecting, playing cards and spending time with his family. Bob was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was famous for his “Bob tacos.”
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Teresa in February 2025; and brother Roger Haakinson.
Bob is survived by his five children: Bonnie Reimers of Cherokee; Mike (Jamie) Haakinson of Storm Lake; Steve (Melanie) Haakinson of Omaha, Neb.; Diane (Kenny) Larsen of Rembrandt; and Robin Glover of Sioux Rapids; 14 grandchildren: Dylan (Liz) Reimers, Quinn (Kallie) Reimers, Caitlin (Jacob) Beastrom, Miranda (Justin) Mark, Mazie Haakinson, Ian Haakinson, Ella Haakinson, Noah Haakinson, Leah (Norman) Little, Joshua Larsen, Layne Scheffler, Alivia Glover, Koen Glover and Kray Glover; 10 great-grandchildren; brother David Haakinson of North Carolina; sisters-in-law: Annette Bruns of Cherokee; Kathy Binder of Victoria, Texa; Vicki (Dan) Harjes of Victoria, Texas; and Alyce Sipple of Victoria, Texas; also several nieces and nephews.
