John Bilben

John Bilben, age 68, of Milbank, SD, passed away on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at Avantara - Milbank Nursing Home.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home Chapel in Milbank, SD. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Friday. Pastor John DePalma will officiate, and interment will be at Graceville Consolidated Cemetery in Graceville, MN. Family encourages guests to wear Chicago Bears or Cubs sportswear or to dress casual.

The service will be livestreamed and recorded and will be viewable at the bottom of this page.

John Dennis Bilben was born on December 5, 1956, in Chicago, IL, to Elvin, Sr. and Elizabeth “Betty” (Warner) Bilben. He was the middle child born of eight children. At age 16, John’s family moved to New Effington, SD.

Going on to become a loving father, John enjoyed teaching his two sons, Shane and Daniel, how to shoot and hunt. He also became a loving grandfather to five wonderful children. John especially enjoyed the time he spent with his sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews. He never forgot a birthday, even before Facebook started sending reminders.

While enjoying his Chicago Bears, Cubs, and Bulls, John enjoyed a burger, fries, and an ice-cold beer. Even to the very end.

Left to cherish John’s memory are his sons: Shane (Megan) Bilben; and Daniel (Heidi) Bilben; five grandchildren: Morgan, Madison, Abygail, Mavrick, and Savannah; three brothers: Wayne Bilben, Billy Bilben, and Terry Bilben; sister, Lynn Siegel; along with several nieces and nephews.

He is reunited with his parents, Elvin, Sr. and Betty Bilben; two brothers: Elvin Bilben, Jr.; and Mike Bilben; sister, Kathryn “Sue” Arneson; and two nephews: Luke Arneson; and Eric Arneson.