Robert 'Bob' Sethen, 94, Minot and longtime area Velva and Raub, ND farmer, died Tuesday, February 26, 2014 in a Garrison Hospital.

Bob Sethen was born February 4, 1920 to John and Martha (Tinglestad) Sethen. He attended country school in Loquemont Township of McLean County, where the family homestead was located. During his teen years he worked for area farmers, learning the work ethic that would stay with him for his entire life. Bob enrolled with the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930's, leading him to work on various projects throughout North Dakota. During the 1940's he started a trucking business that specialized in hauling grain for area farmers, which lead to his own lifelong farming career.

Bob was united in marriage to Mildred (Millie) Weinreich on May 20, 1944. This union of nearly seventy years was blessed with two children, Karen and Keith. In the late 1940's the family purchased the 'Keg' Restaurant in Minot, operating the eatery for about five years when they returned to farming.

They purchased a farm located five miles west of Velva, ND in the mid 1950's. This homestead provided the home to raise their children and expand their farming interests. Bob purchased the family homestead and began farming in a second location near Raub, ND in 1957. He continued to expand the family farming operations throughout the years, returning to Minot in 1969 with the building of a new home.

In 1975, he sold the farmland located near Velva and together with his son purchased the Lynn Ziegler farm near Emmet, ND. Bob remained active on the farm until the age of 85 when a broken hip caused him to 'slow down.' Farming was always his primary occupation and hobby. Bob enjoyed watching the crops grow and the bounty at harvest time.

Bob enjoyed playing cards in the winter time, primarily whist or pinochle. He was an avid reader throughout his lifetime. In their younger years, he and Millie could be found on weekends dining and dancing either at the Elks and Moose Lodges or the Eagles Aerie in Minot. In his later years, he would comment on how much farming had changed during his lifetime, going from horses to high tech. Until recently, he would wake up each morning and say 'boy do I feel good' showing the zest for life he had. He will be deeply missed by all who shared in his life.

Bob's loving family includes his wife, Millie, children, Karen (Don Martin) Bolstad, Grand Forks, ND and Keith (Kathy) Sethen, Garrison, ND, grandchildren, Jason Sethen, South Bend, IN and Amanda (Tony) Bustos, Fox River Grove, IL, great-grandchildren, Keiton and Briley Bustos, both of Fox River Grove, IL and several nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, and sisters, Ruth Woolsey and Irene Sande.

Celebration of Life Service: 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 28, 2014 at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation: Thursday, February 27, 2014, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.