Robert "Bob" Lee Gouldin, 87, of Sturgis, SD, formally of Makinen, MN, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 21, 2023, at Fort Meade VA hospital in Sturgis with family by his side.

Bob was born on April 9, 1936, in Wadena, MN, to James and Elizabeth (Burke) Gouldin. As a child he loved to fish so much that he would lock his mother in the chicken coop to get out of chores and head to the lake to do some fishing. That passion continued throughout his life as you could always find him fishing any time of the year winter or summer and the passion was handed down to his kids and grandkids. During his high school years his family moved to St. Paul, MN, to give Bob a better opportunity to play baseball that he enjoyed so much and eventually led him to try out for the Twins (formally the Washington Senators).

Following high school, he enlisted in the Army in January 1955, where he served 2 years at Fort Benning, GA, during the Korean war. After his honorable discharge as a Corporal in the Army he continued his love and respect of firearms as an avid bird hunter with his black lab bird dogs. In 1957, he started at Erie Mining Co. where he worked for 38 ½ years before retiring.

In April 1959, he married the love of his life Carolyn Huotari from Deer River, MN, where they lived in Gilbert, MN, for 2 years before purchasing their home in Makinen where they raised their 4 kids. They spend the summers camping and fishing with family and friends where beer & whiskey was drunk, cards were played, and bets were paid. In his spare time, he shot trap, played men's softball along with being in golf and bowling leagues and always making sure he never missed any of his kid's sporting events. He was honored to watch all 4 kids (Jim, Mike, Jackie, and Kathy) marry and have a total of 13 children of their own and 18 great-grandchildren.

Bob was a committed member of the Makinen volunteer fire department for over 30 years, a devoted Catholic all of his life, and a proud Honor Guard as well. 10 years after his wife, Carolyn died, he moved to Sturgis to be closer to his family in the Black Hills which he enjoyed watching grandkids wrestle and play ball. When not attending great grandkids events he watched and cheered on all Minnesota sports, especially the Vikings, Twins, and Bulldogs.

Survivors are James (Catherine) Gouldin, their 5 children: Derek (Rebecca), Jeremy (Sarah), Hannah (Kevin), Maija (Jeremy), and Alyssa (Jeremy); and 12 grandchildren: Zander, Ysabella, Tanner, Easton, RaeLynn, Berkley, Buxton, Rylan, Lilly, Ayla, Kaelynn, and Sawyer; Michael (Crystal ) Gouldin, and their 3 children: Michelle (Justin), Thomas (Keasly), and Kara (Logan); and 5 grandchildren: Wyatt, Hadley, Zaylee, Joseph, and Walker; Jacqueline (Bob) Clausen, and their 3 children: Robert (Danelle), Richard, and Rebecca (Nolan); Katherine (Barry) Vollmer, and their 2 children: Cassidy (Daniel), and Kole (Quinn).

He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn, his parents, James and Elizabeth, and his sister, Lois Thelen.

He lived a long life and had a lot of family, friends and neighbors that he dearly loved. He will be greatly missed by all. We are so thankful we all have fond memories to carry in our hearts forever.

Wake service visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, April 28. 2023, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis, SD.

Funeral Mass will be held 10am Friday, May 12, 2023, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Gilbert, MN.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the mass at church. Burial with military honors accorded by the Aurora-Hoyt Lakes Color Guard will be in the Gilbert Cemetery.  Luncheon will follow the burial back at the church.  Arrangements by Kinkade & Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Homes.

For online condolences, please visit.

www.kinkadefunerals.com and www.zmsfuneralhome.com