Bob Bell, age 88, peacefully entered into his eternal home in heaven, on Wednesday, December 19, 2018, after a short stay in the Sidney Health Center Extended Care in Sidney, MT.
Robert “Bob” Bell was born on February 15, 1930 to Adolph & Emma (Quilling) Bell, in (according to his words) “a tar-papered shack” in Sidney, MT. He was the 2nd child of 3 children, having an older brother, Dick, and a younger sister, Betty Kay. The family moved often between the Sidney and Lambert communities. He attended school in Lambert his 8th and 9th grades, where he enjoyed playing basketball and spoke frequently of his “Lambertonion” hook shot, while playing on the Lambert Lions basketball team. He attended high school in Sidney, graduating with the Sidney High School Class of 1948. Bob played both football and basketball as a Sidney Eagle. He was also active in FFA and played baseball on the American Legion Team.
After graduating from high school, Bob spent two years working on his family’s farm and Pete Tiessen’s farm. In 1950 he joined the Air Force, which took him to Lackland Air Force Base in Texas for A&M Mechanical School, and later to Nevada for Jet Specialist School. After 18 months in the Air Force he received a hardship discharge due to an accident his father had suffered at home, so needed to return to help on the family farm.
Previous to his Air Force time, Bob worked at the Wheel Inn, a small restaurant in Sidney his parents owned. It was here he met the love of his life, Joan Knels. They were married in Sidney on September 17, 1954. Bob and Joan started their home and family on a small farm SE of Sidney along the Yellowstone River, where they remained for 36 years, before moving into Sidney. Their marriage was blessed with five children; one daughter Jolene, and four sons, Randy, Rodney, Raymond and Ryan. One of the things Bob enjoyed most was working with and alongside his children.
Being a farmer, Bob was a lover of the land. He loved working the ground, planting the seeds, watching the crops grow, and then harvesting the fruits of his labor. Additionally, he loved caring for his livestock, hogs, chickens, rabbits, and mostly his Brown Swiss Cows. He spent many hours tearing down old buildings, saving lumber to rebuild shelter for his animals.
Bob was a very hard worker and took on outside jobs from the farm to support his growing family. He worked several campaigns at Holly Sugar, did construction work with Loren DeTienne, and drove school bus for Rau School for 29 years. He also served on the Rau School Board for several years while his children were attending school there.
Bob also had various part-time jobs with freight trucking companies which eventually led to him owning and operating his own company, Bob’s Pickup & Delivery, in 1980. Sons Randy and Raymond worked with him until he retired from trucking in 1998. He then decided to farm and ranch with his other sons, Rodney and Ryan.
Faith in Jesus Christ was a very important part of Bob’s life. Throughout his life, he faithfully attended church with his family, until deteriorating health no longer made it possible. In younger years he was very active in teaching Sunday School, serving on the church board, and helping wherever he was needed.
Family was the utmost blessing and joy of Bob’s heart. He loved spending time with his family – whether visiting, working, “teasing”, or playing “Rook”. Visits from the grandchildren and great-grandchildren always brought huge smiles to his face. Each family member was special to him, and he devotedly prayed for them all.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Dick, and his 4-month-old grandson, Brennan Bell.
Surviving Bob are his wife of 64 yrs, Joan; daughter Jolene (Dave) LaBar (Union City, MI) sons Randy (Carla) Bell (Billings, MT), and Rodney (Jan) Bell, Raymond (Trish) Bell, and Ryan (Nicki) Bell (all of Sidney); sister Betty Kay Olson (Sierra Vista, AZ); sister-in-law Jena Bell (Garrison, ND); 13 grandchildren, Daniel (Dorothy) LaBar, Darin (Elise) LaBar, Daryl (Ashley) LaBar, Shannon (Tom) Foisy, Brittany (Josh) Cuellar, Devin (Kaitlin) Bell, Brianna, Karina, Shania Bell, Tobin, Brady Bell, Jory and Jace Bell; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Bob will be missed greatly for his witty sense of humor, the jokes he loved to tell (many times more than once), and the laughter he brought to those around him, even during the last few months and days of his life. He was a man who loved people and loved doing good for others. Many will miss his cheerful disposition, his embracing hugs, and his caring prayers.
Memorial may be made to Foundation for Community Care in Bob’s name or to a charity of one’s choice.