Robert "Bob" Ludolph

Robert Wayne Ludolph was born on June 21, 1935 to Leon Herman Ludolph and Stella Mae (Harrison) Ludolph in the Ashton house by the Pipestone County Fairgrounds in Pipestone, MN. Bob grew up in Pipestone and spent time in Lake Benton, MN at his grandparents’ farm by the cemetery east of there. He told stories of building a cart and riding it down the big hill. He also had many great memories of riding bike on the hills by Indian Lakes as a child and helping his dad cut ice at the Pipestone Quarry, even falling into the quarry one time, fully clothed.

While roller skating in Garretson, South Dakota, Bob met Gloria Saarloos and they began dating. Bob and Gloria were united in marriage on August 26, 1954, at Zion Lutheran Church in Garretson, SD. They had 64 years of marriage together. 

Bob enlisted in the Army National Guard, 135th Infantry Regiment in 1953 in Pipestone. He was a member of the Michael Boock Pipestone American Legion Post 6.

Bob joined his father in the bus business when his children were young, where he was the mechanic, school bus driver and motor coach driver. Many of Bob’s passengers, from kids riding the school bus each day, to band kids, football teams, basketball teams, area church youth groups, and Legion baseball playoff teams still have great memories of Bob that are shared to this day. 

Bob was a collector of gas engines, he could spot one in a grove driving across the country in his motor coach. He restored many gas engines, displaying them in parades and at places like Rollag, MN, Madison, SD, Butterfield, MN and Hanley Falls, MN. 

Bob was also a toy tractor collector and builder, having built many trucks and trailers and toy tractors over the years. He was a huge “Big Bud” fan but loved all makes and models of tractors. In retirement, he could be found most Saturdays at the auctions in Waconda, SD.

Bob spent 22 years as a volunteer fireman with the Pipestone Fire Department. He was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church in Pipestone. 

Bob is lovingly remembered by his children, Mike (Sharleen) Ludolph of Pipestone, MN, Brenda (John) Arnold of Kandiyohi, MN, Lori Ludolph of Pipestone, MN, Susie (Tim) Otto of Pipestone, MN and Chuck (Sandy) Ludolph of Slayton, MN; grandchildren, Genny (Jake) Velde, Emily (Jeff) Speer, Shelly (Derek) Hennager, Ried (Katherine) Arnold, Nathan (Carrie) Arnold, Seth (Anna) Arnold, Derek (Katie) Arnold, Dave (Mikala) Arnold, Tedd (Adri) Grogan, Jake (Chantel) Otto, Maggie (Dan Cottrell) Otto, Austin Ludolph, Tyler (Selina) Ludolph, Cole (Justice) Ludolph, and Carlie (Ashton) Crow; great-grandchildren, Emma, Zoe, and Caleb Velde, Lucy and Jeff Speer, Wylla and Liv Hennager, Beckham Arnold, James and Nick Arnold, Evie and Gwen Arnold, Henry Arnold, Joaquin Grogan, Xzavier, Kadence, and Vivienn Otto, Nolan and Silas Ludolph, Sade and Seely Ludolph, Emree, Jeremy, Warren, Jade, and Murphy Ludolph, and Wyatt and Lillie Crow; sister, Leona Huebner of Pipestone, MN, along with many great friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria; son, Steven Ludolph; parents, Leon and Stella Ludolph; granddaughter, Victoria Ludolph; great-granddaughter, Sayler Ludolph; and sister, Nancy Duncan.