Public visitation for Robert C. Powell, 88, of Hettinger, ND will be held at the Centennial Chapel of the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Hettinger, from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2015. Private family burial for Robert will be held at Mound Cemetery north of Rhame, ND at a later date.

Robert C. Powell was born on March 14, 1927 at Lemmon, SD to P.W. and Hazel (Shave) Powell. He attended school at Lemmon, SD, McIntosh, SD, Marmarth, ND and Bowman, ND. Bob moved to White Sulpher Springs, MT at the age of 14 where he worked at various ranches.

He enlisted into the Army in 1945 during World War II serving in the Aleutian Islands. He was discharged in 1946 when the war ended.

On June 26, 1951 he was united in marriage to the eternal love of his life, Dorothy Jean Peterson, at Baker, MT in a double ring ceremony with Dorothy's brother, George, and his wife. Dorothy and Robert were happily married for 55 years. The honeymoon that never ended began at the Ike Bratcher Ranch south of Mott, ND where he farmed and raised registered Horned Herefords for over 50 years. Their first daughter, Dixie Lee, was born on July 4, 1952 and their second daughter, Echo Lynn, was born on February 8, 1955.

He served on the Ashby Township Board for many years. He loved raising Hereford cattle and also loved spending hours in the pasture talking to his mules and longhorns, which he was very proud of. He also spent time sitting on the front porch feeding his peacocks.

Bob had a passion for auction sales where he met many of his good friends. He never missed a sale at Bob Penfield Auctions, Ed Praus and Sons Auctions, and any good farm sale within a hundred mile radius.

Bob and Dorothy retired from farming and ranching on October of 2003. They became the proud owners of the Austad house in Hettinger, ND. He was proud of his collected antiques and oddities. In later years, he loved having his grandchildren arrange them for display and enjoyed sharing his collection with every friend who stopped to visit. It delighted him to prepare his secret dressing recipe at every holiday, family gathering, and get-together.

He was an avid collector of knives and swords. UPS showed up at least once a month. Continuing Dorothy's green thumb, he enjoyed showing his banana tree and lemon and orange tree to friends and family. His hoard of pickle jars was only borrowed to those who promised to return them. The greatest love of his life was his wife, his family, and their farm.

On Friday, May 22, 2015, surrounded by his family, he joined his beloved wife, Dorothy, who lost her battle with cancer in 2006. Those who knew him best will remember him for his generosity and clever sense of humor. He shared many a tale of his life experiences. Bob will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to all.

Blessed for having shared his life are his daughters, Dixie Lee Kilzer, of Mott, ND and Echo Lynn Bohl, of Hulett, WY; grandchildren, Denim Pekas, of Hettinger, ND, Sierra Hecker and Scharlie Kilzer, of Dickinson, ND, Kayla Janikowski and Levi Kilzer, of Bismarck, ND, Brandy Dalton, of Oxford, NZ, Nikki Gilchrist, of White Salmon, WA; great-grandchildren, Chase Kilzer, Miami Pekas, Tristan Pekas, Aiden Dietz, Schayla Hansen, Garbriella Hecker, D'Artagnon Hecker, Dallas Hansen, Timothy Hansen, Emmett Dalton, Garrett Dalton, Bridger Gilchrist, Lark Gilchrist, and many friends including his cats Simba and Asia.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Dorothy, and one granddaughter, Trinity Bohl.