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Marcella Agnes Kortan, age 84 of Tabor passed away on Thursday, May 10, 2012 at the Tyndall Good Samaritan Center, Tyndall, SD. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Monday, May 14, 2012 at the Tyndall Presbyterian Church, Tyndall, SD. Burial will be in the Tyndall Presbyterian Cemetery, rural Tyndall. Visitations will begin at 4 PM, Sunday, May 13, 2012 at the Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Tabor with a 7 PM prayer service. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers will be David Vellek, Duane Sattler, Neil Kreber, Jay Kreber, Rudy Bitterman and Dennis Herman.
Marcella Agnes Kortan was born on January 3, 1928 in rural Tabor, South Dakota to Joseph R. and Anna (Dvoracek) Rehurek. She attended Koupal Elementary School and Tyndall High School. She graduated with honors - cum laude in 1969 from Southern State College, Springfield, South Dakota.
She taught school for 40 years; 21 years in rural Bon Homme and Yankton Counties, and 19 years in the Tabor school system as 5th and 6th grade teacher. She was awarded "Teacher of the Year" by the Bon Homme district in 1976 - 1977. She retired in the spring of 1988. She married Dorance Kortan on April 22, 1948 at Rural Presbyterian Church near Tabor, South Dakota. She was a long time resident of Tabor. She moved to Springfield after her husband passed away, and became a resident at Tyndall Good Samaritan Home in March of 2009.
She was a lifelong member of Tyndall Presbyterian Church where she use to teach Sunday School and Summer Bible School classes, and was a member of Kortan-Hatwan American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #83 for 66 years. She served as president and other offices. She was also a Poppy Poster Chairman for many years.
She is survived by her daughter, Valerie (Ron) Herman of Springfield, SD; granddaughter, Ashley Herman of Sioux Falls, SD; sisters, Ruth Vellek of Tyndall, SD, Dorothy Sattler of Mitchell, SD and Irene Kreber of Springfield, SD; brother, Lawrence Rehurek of Sparks, NV; 3 sisters-in-law: Martha Melichar of Yankton, SD, Agnes Kortan of Tabor, SD, and Lorraine Rehurek of Tyndall, SD, and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dorance "Bud", her parents, sister, Viola Kostlan, brothers: Alvin, Raymond, Calvin and LeRoy; 3 brothers-in-law: Edward Kostlan, Wesley Sattler, and Charles Vellek.
Rita R. Kubal, age 43-wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend-entered the everlasting peace of her Father near Scotland, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am, Monday, April 9, 2012 at the Bishop Marty Chapel on the Mount Marty College Campus, Yankton, SD with Rev. Dan Smith and Msgr. Carlton Hermann officiating. Burial will be in the Polish Catholic Cemetery, rural Lesterville, SD overlooking the family farm. Visitations will begin at 5:00 pm, Sunday, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, with a wake service at 7:00 pm with Rev. Joe Puthenkulathil officiating. The Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Tabor, is assisting with arrangements.
On December 14, 1968, Rita Jackson was born to Darrel and Mary Ann (Bradley) Jackson of Wessington Springs, SD. She was the tenth of eleven vibrant children. Running amuck with her five brothers and sisters, Rita grew to a love of nature and all its animals-a love that never faded in Rita's adult life, many of her family and friends being gifted with the stray cats and dogs she often found. Basketball player, cheerleader, homecoming queen, and Miss Holiday are a few of the titles she donned in her time as a Wessington Springs Spartan, not the least of these titles being "friend".
Rita attended Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD, before transferring to Mount Marty College in Yankton, SD. There, amidst her studies, she served the sisters at St. Joseph Care Center as a Nurse's Assistant and earned early admittance to the University of North Dakota where she completed a degree in physical therapy.
On May 17th, 1993, she was married to Dan Kubal of rural Lesterville, SD, and the couple was soon graced, with their first child Dana. The Kubal farmhouse was blessed with four additional children, Elizabeth, Kohl, John, and Kaleb. In these children, Rita had found her calling-the call to be a mother. These five were the apple in her ever-bright eye.
Rita was also drawn to her service as a physical therapist, providing compassionate care and a listening ear. She worked at the Menno nursing home, the Freeman hospital, the Tyndall Hospital, the Yankton Care Center, and Sacred Heart Hospital throughout the years. Among her most enriching experiences was her time spent serving the Sioux people at Indian Health Services in Wagner, SD. There, Rita encountered a rich Sioux spirituality that resonated with her innate sense of prayer and her devotion to the Supreme Being. It is said that Rita is the only physical therapist with 100 percent of her Sioux patients to return for follow-up sessions.
A few words about Rita: horse lover, eagle watcher, photographer, hiker, rosary connoisseur, reader, writer, and a shoulder to lean on. Yet, above all, Rita was a woman of love, a love infused by faith, a faith that drew her to offer all things to her Savior, Jesus Christ.
Rita was preceded in death by her father, Darrel Jackson, brother, Mark Edward Jackson, niece, Jennifer Reed, and grandparents.
She is survived by husband, Dan Kubal, her children, Dana, Elizabeth, Kohl, John, and Kaleb, all from rural Lesterville, SD, her mother, Mary Jackson of Lane, SD, and her ten siblings and siblings' spouses, Steve, John, and Kelly Jackson, all from Lane, SD, Tim and Laura Jackson of Woonsocket, SD, Travis and Karen Jackson of Lane, SD, Mary and Bill Reed of Gillette, WY, Sandy and Michael Neth of Scotland, SD, Lori and Bob Schleich of Mitchell, SD, Tim and Linda Foos of Milbank, SD, and Michele and Jeff Bigelow of Mitchell, SD.
She is also survived by in-laws Gladys and Michael Kubal of Lesterville, SD, Judy and Pat Carroll of Tabor, SD, Laurie and Mike Becvar of Mission Hill, SD, and Nancy and Bob Pechous of Tabor, SD.
Della Kostel age 90 of Tabor, passed away Sunday, November 13, 2011 at the Avera Yankton Care Center, Yankton, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, December 3, 2011, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, with Rev. Joe Puthenkulathil and Msgr. Carlton Hermann con-celebrating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitations will be one hour prior to the service at the Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Tabor, SD. Pallbearers will be Dennis and Betty Vellek, Terry and Vicky Vellek, David and Denise Vellek, Arlen and Norma Langle, and Gail and Carol Andrea.
Della was born March 17, 1921 in Tyndall, SD to William and Bessie (Bambas) Vellek. She received her schooling in Tyndall and Springfield. In 1941, she went to Santa Monica, CA and worked as a housekeeper for a short time. Della was known as "Rosie the Riveter" while she was employed at Douglas Aircraft, and was also a classified telephone operator for the United State Government.
On October 31, 1945, she married Joseph Kostel in San Pedro, CA then moving to Tabor, SD in 1946. In 1966, she worked at Dale Electronics in Yankton and retired in 1986. She was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Altar, Rosary Society, and the American Legion Auxiliary.
She is survived by her son, Roger Dale Kostel of Yankton, SD; a brother, Robert (Maureen)of Tyndall, SD; sisters-in-law: Hattie Vellek of Tabor, SD, Nelda Vellek of Sioux Falls, SD, and Ruth Vellek of Tyndall, SD; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bob and Betty Kostel of Los Angeles, CA and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph, her parents, daughter-in-law, Mary Lou Kostel; brothers: Emil Vellek and his wife Hazel, Raymond Vellek, Edward Vellek and his wife Bessie, Leo Vellek, and Charlie Vellek; sister, Helen Bame and her husband Jim; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Lawrence and Emiline Kaiser and brother-in-law, John Kostel.
Ruby Joan Kriz was born on June 3, 1932 near Tripp, SD to Henry and Helena (Winckler) Hahn. She was baptized on June 26, 1932 & confirmed on June 9, 1946. She graduated from Tripp High School in 1950. Prior to her marriage, she worked at the Tripp Mercantile. Ruby married Donald A. Kriz on June 26, 1952. They farmed north of Tyndall until 1985, when she and Don moved to Tyndall. She worked at the L&R Café in Tyndall. Two of her greatest joys in life were her faith in the Lord and the time she spent in her yard, caring for His creations. Ruby will be most remembered for her wonderful sense of humor and her love of family. Ruby enjoyed bowling, gardening, reading, quilting, baking, dancing, and most important spending time with her family. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and served on the boards of the Czech National Cemetery and the Czech Heritage Society.
She passed away on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 at St. Michael’s Hospital, having attained the age of 79 years.
Grateful for having shared Ruby’s life are her son, Gary (Diane) Kriz of Tyndall and their children Ryan, Jay and Jody; her daughter, Debra (Calvin) Buchholz of Springfield and their children Hannah and Jared; one sister, Helen (Roy) Kriz of Sioux Falls; two nieces: Cynthia (Rick) Johnson and their children, Sarah, Tyler and Alex, and Karen (Mike) Beyer and their children, Keaton and Karson; and a nephew, Roger (Leanne) Kriz and their children, Nick and Stacey.
Ruby was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Don, on March 26, 2005, her parents, a great-nephew, Cody, and many aunts & uncles.
Funeral Service is 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 16, 2008, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Tyndall, South Dakota, with the Rev. Dean Schroeder officiating. Music will be provided by organist Donna Bohlman. Honorary Casketbearers will be all of Lori’s Family. Casketbearers are Scott Kloucek, Andrew Kloucek, Eric Sorenson, Pete Sorenson, Carol Kloucek and Chantel Kloucek. Interment will be in the Tyndall Cemetery. Goglin Funeral Home, Tyndall, is in charge of arrangements.
Lori Chyrl (Sorenson) Kloucek was born on Saturday, March 21, 1959, in Brookings, South Dakota to LeRoy and Rita (Bushnell) Sorenson. She graduated from Tyndall High School in 1977 and attended South Dakota State University in Brookings for one year. Lori married Jim Kloucek on February 4, 1978. They moved to Sibley, Iowa in 1980.
Lori gave freely of her time and talents and spent much of her life helping other people. Lori attended Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Worthington, Minnesota and graduated in 1990 with an Associate’s Degree in Occupational Therapy. As a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, Lori provided occupational therapy services to many challenged people in facilities across southwestern Minnesota and northwestern Iowa. She worked for many years at Village Northwest Unlimited, a rehabilitation facility in Sheldon, Iowa.
Lori’s passion in life was her music. She was an accomplished pianist and organist, played the flute and loved to sing. For many years, Lori gave private piano lessons. She had been organist at several churches during her life, and at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sibley, where she was a member. For several years, she sang with “Miss Musicale,” a women’s vocal group in Sibley. Lori will always be remembered for her beautiful music.
Most important to Lori was her family. She was a devoted mother and grandmother. Growing up, Lori was always present at her boys’ athletic and extracurricular activities and encouraged them in all they did. Her grandson and granddaughter, Tanner and Taylor, were the light of her life. She was a loving mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and aunt.
Lori died on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 49 years, 2 months and 20 days.
Lori’s memory will be cherished by her two sons: Scott (Chantel) Kloucek of Estherville, Iowa and grandchildren, Tanner and Taylor, and Andrew Kloucek of Yankton, South Dakota; her father, LeRoy Sorenson and special friend, Donna Bohlmann, of Tyndall; three siblings: brother, Eric (Tracy) Sorenson of Atlanta, Georgia and their children, Brian, Megan and Brittany, sister, Amy McKenna of San Diego, California and her son, Austin, and brother, Pete (Lorraine) Sorenson of Tabor, South Dakota and their children, Ethan and Claire; her grandfather, Laurence Sorenson of Tyndall; and her friend and former husband, Jim Kloucek of Tabor.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Rita Sorenson on June 12, 2003; her paternal grandmother, Signe Sorenson; and her maternal grandparents, Roy and Chyrl Bushnell.
Raymond C. Kocer, age 85, of Tabor, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, October 1, 2011 at the Tyndall Good Samaritan Center, Tyndall, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, with Msgr. Carlton Hermann officiating. Con-celebrants are Rev. Joe Puthenkulathil and Rev. Joe Forcelle. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitations will be 2 to 5 PM, Monday, October 3, 2011 at the Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Tabor, and then at 6:00 PM at the church with a wake service at 7:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers will be Larry Kocer, Robert Kocer, Kathy Hiemstra, Ken Kocer, Karen Ranek, and Kristi Kocer. Honorary pallbearers will be his sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Ray was born on January 14, 1926, to Joseph and Catherine (Plavec) Kocer on a farm north of Tabor, SD. Ray was baptized and confirmed at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Tabor. On June 12, 1945 Ray was united in marriage to Irene Carda at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Tabor. Ray and Irene farmed within the Tabor area for several years before settling on the family farm in 1966, where they continued to farm and raise their family. In 1993 they retired and moved into Tabor, but Ray continued to be involved with the family farm for many more years.
Ray was an active member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and Tabor Chamber of Commerce. While farming was a big part of his life, Ray also enjoyed socializing with friends and relatives, playing cards and playing softball. He organized the Tabor Jets softball team in 1945 with farmers, neighbors, relatives and friends. Ray remained the team pitcher and manager for over 50 years. He enjoyed spending time with his family and attending his children and grandchildren's activities. Ray was a gentle, quiet, and hard-working man. He touched many people, changed some lives, and left a lasting impression on all of us.
Thankful for having shared his life are his wife Irene of Tabor, SD; son Larry (Carol) of Tabor, SD; son Robert (Kathy) of Cedar Rapids, IA; daughter Kathy (Craig) Hiemstra of Bartlesville, OK; son Ken (Rhonda) of Tabor, SD; daughter Karen (Ken) Ranek of Tyndall, SD; and daughter Kristi of Tabor, SD: grandchildren Kimberly Kocer, Brian (Jorjia) Fejfar, and Steve (Shelly) Fejfar; Julie Hall, Mike Hall, and Samantha (Christoph) Weismayer; Tyler (Stephanie) Hiemstra, Brooke, Jonathan, Nathan, Preston, and Dillon Hiemstra; Mark (Leslie) Ranek, Scott, Kayla, and Lance Ranek: great-grandsons Andrew and Matthew Grassel: one brother George (Agnes) Kocer of Tabor, SD; many nieces, nephews and extended family.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Anna, Stella, Mary, Helen, Hattie, and Adeline; brothers Joe and Mike; two nieces, two nephews, and one granddaughter Susan Fejfar. Memorials are directed to the Alzheimer's Association; South Dakota Office; 1000 N. West Ave #250; Sioux Falls, SD 57104.
Calvin William Kudrna, 85, began his eternal life on September 29, 2011 in Midwest City, OK. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bertha Kudrna and William and Edellyn Kudrna; two sisters, Winifred and Beba. He is survived by four children: sons, Ronald Kudrna and wife Patsy, Terral Kudrna and wife Veronica, Jeffrey Kudrna and wife Stephanie; and daughter, Lori Donnelly and husband Ron; eight grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. He was born in Tabor, South Dakota, on May 3, 1926. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in March 1944. After proudly serving our nation in WW II and the Korean War, he left the U.S. Navy in 1951. He moved to Oklahoma and eventually retired at Tinker Air Force Base. Calvin was a loving father and grandfather. He will be mostly remembered for seeing the good in all people. He knew Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Viewing will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday and Monday, Oct. 2-3. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 4, at Barnes Friederich Funeral Home, 1829 S. Douglas Blvd., Midwest City.
Alice was born Saturday, December 27, 1924 to Arthur and Ida (Treick) Klemme. She was baptized on April 1, 1925 at Bethany Reformed Church and was confirmed on July 2, 1939. She grew up on the family farm by Scotland and attended Nellis Country School. She graduated from Scotland High School and Brown Beauty School. Alice owned and operated her own hair salon on Main Street in Scotland for 50 years. She was an avid sports fan, attending nearly all home basketball games. She enjoyed bowling and bowled on a league for many years. Her gardens were simply beautiful, featuring red roses and her yard was nominated as yard of the month. She enjoyed the holidays, being one of the first homes to elaborately decorate her yard for Christmas. She loved her pets. She played a big part in planning and organizing the Scotland All School Reunion. Alice passed away on Thursday, May 17, 2012 at the Good Samaritan Society of Scotland, having attained the age of 87 years, 4 months and 20 days.
Alice is survived by one brother, Paul Pete Klemme: several nieces: Phyllis (Don) Jerke, Vera (Allen) Bierle, Paula (George) Bauder, GayLynn (Ken) Konrad, and Wilma Estes.
Alice was preceded in death by her parents, special friend Frank Tuffs, brother Elmer (Ella) Klemme, sisters Ruth Klemme and Lola (Otto) Jenner, sister-in-law Esther Klemme, and nephew Allen Klemme.
David A. Kortan, age 92 of Tabor passed away on Monday, August 9, 2010, at the Good Samaritan Center of Tyndall.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 12, 2010, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, with the Rev. Joe Puthenkulathil officiating with Msgr. Carlton Hermann, as concelebrant. Burial will be in the St. Wenceslaus Cemetery with military graveside rites by Kortan-Hatwan Post 183, Tabor. Visitations will be from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, August 11, 2010, at the Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Tabor with a 7 p.m. scripture service followed by rosary. Visitations will resume Thursday one hour prior to the service at the church.
David Kortan was born on December 8, 1917, to Vaclav & Mary (Caba) Kortan on the family farm South of Tabor. He attended Country School. On December 17, 1942 he enlisted into the United States Army and was honorably discharged on December 7, 1945. After serving tours in Northern Africa and Southern Italy, he returned to work on the family farm. He married Eileen Kortan on January 11, 1955. They owned and operated "Lefty's Bar" for several years. He then began his career in carpentry until his retirement. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and watching sports on TV.
Those who will cherish his memory are his daughters: Elaine (Ken) Vaith of Lesterville; Diane Kortan of Yankton; sons: Roger Kortan of Yankton; Rich (Karla) Kortan of Tabor, Ron (Karen) Kortan of Fremont, NE; Tim (Ginger) Kortan of Yankton; sister: Marie Schuch of Denver, CO; 16 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by Eileen his wife of 53 years; parents; brothers: John and Jim and 3 great-grandchildren: Nicholas Vaith, Colin Hauck, and Mallory Vaith.
Josephine (Josie) F. Kutilek age 93, of Tabor, SD passed away Sunday, May 01, 2011 surrounded by her family at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, with Rev. Joe Puthenkulathil officiating with Msgr. Carlton Hermann con-celebrating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitations will begin at 5:00 PM, Tuesday, at the Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Tabor, with a wake service at 7:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the memorial chapel. Pallbearers will be Joe Syrovatka, Jerry Yule, Del Ray Edelman, Kevin Edelman, Gary Kuchta, Wayne Pibal, and Randy Boska. Honorary pallbearers will be all her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Josephine and her twin sister, Frances were born September 12, 1917 to Frank and Mary (Koupal) Hale on the family farm in Yankton County. At the age of five, her mother passed away leaving her father to raise five daughters. She attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School in Tabor and remained on the family farm until she married Emil Kutilek January 4, 1937 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Tabor. They moved to Utica, SD on a farm until 1947 and then moved to a farm near Tabor. In 1955, they purchased Lefty's Bar in Tabor changing the name to Emil's Bar. They worked side by side every day until their retirement in 1976. Emil passed away in 1985, Josie moved to Tyndall in 1992. In May of 2006, Josie moved to the Tyndall Good Samaritan Center.
Josie loved to garden, embroidering, and baking kolaches. She was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Altar Society, Czech Heritage, and she was the Czech Day Parade Marshall in 1996.
Those who will cherish her memory are her daughters: Marlene Syrovatka of Lesterville, SD; LaVonne (Ken) Yule of Springfield, SD; Jo Ann Kutilek of Sioux Falls, SD; Jeanene (Darrell) Edelman of Menno, SD; 15 grandchildren; 39 great grandchildren; 28 great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Emil, her parents, four sisters: Hattie Petrik, Marie Kuchta, Lillian Pibal, and her twin, Frances Boska, son-in-law, Ervin Syrovatka, two grand sons-in-law: Jack Robertson and Paul Hemiller.
Raymond "Ray" Kostal, 86 years of Tabor passed away Saturday, August 30, 2014 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, SD with Rev. Steven Jones officiating. Burial will be in the St. Wenceslaus Cemetery with military graveside rites by the Kortan-Hatwan American Legion Post #183, Tabor. Visitations will be from 5-7 PM, Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at the Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel in Tabor with a 7 PM wake service. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.
Ray was born to Frank and Marie (Bystricky) Kostal on September 29, 1927. He graduated from Tyndall High School. He served in the 16th Signal Battalion of the US Army in Korea where he was awarded two bronze service stars and a United Nations Service medal. He married Marlene Benes on June 22, 1953. Together they raised 3 children.
He farmed near Tabor and Tyndall, SD until his retirement in 1992, though he continued his interest and participation in the family farm as long as his health permitted.
Ray enjoyed playing the trumpet and was involved with several local bands. He was proud of his Czech heritage. He was a member of St Wenceslaus Catholic Parish, Tabor SD. He was a member of the American Legion and served as a commander of the Kortan-Hatwan American Legion Post in Tabor. He played Taps for military funerals for more than 50 years.
Ray is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marlene (Benes) Kostal, daughter, Kay (Jim) Fillaus of Lesterville, SD, son, Jerry (Elaine) Kostal of Tyndall, SD, daughter, Ann (Todd) Church of Grants, NM; sister, Florence Sutera of Tyndall, SD, and grandchildren: Jennifer Fillaus, Angie (Kostal) Porter and husband Zach, Jill (Fillaus) Hohn and husband Jared, Michael Kostal and wife Erica, James Fillaus and wife Heather, Matthew Kostal and wife Casey, John Church, and David Church. He also leaves behind his seven great grandchildren: Ava and Adam Hohn, Max and Charlie Porter, Simon and Jude Fillaus, and Oliver Kostal. He was grateful for the close relationship he had with his six nieces and nephews.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Marie (Bystricky) Kostal.
Ray's family wishes to thank the staff at Sacred Heart Hospital for the compassionate care he received. They also want to acknowledge the love, care and support of Ray's neighbors over the years. God bless you all.
Eternal rest, grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
Bertha Kasten, 109, died December 19, 2010 at home.
Bertha (Fryda) Kasten, the youngest of six children was born in Springfield, SD on March 1, 1901 to Bohemian immigrants, Frank and Anna Fryda. Her childhood was spent in Springfield. After completing 8th grade, Bertha received her State Teaching Certificate and taught at a rural one-room country school near Dante, SD.
Bertha married Fred King in 1917. Fred and their infant daughter, Viola, died from the influenza epidemic in 1918.
In 1919, Bertha married Henry Zerbe. They resided in Dolton, SD where Henry operated a garage. In 1920 they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Ethel. In 1938, they moved to Bridgewater, SD where they opened a garage on the new Highway 16. After selling the business in 1939, they lived in Scotland, SD and Avon, SD over the next 3 years and returned to Bridgewater in 1942.
After Henry's death in 1952, Bertha worked for Inhofer's Bakery in Bridgewater until 1955.
Bertha married Jim Pringle in 1955. Jim farmed north of Bridgewater. During these years Bertha was a homemaker and active in the First Presbyterian Church, the American Legion Auxiliary and Extension Club. Jim died in 1971.
In 1973, Bertha married August Kasten and moved to his farm near Parker, SD. When Augie died in 1974, Bertha returned to Bridgewater where she lived with her daughter, Ethel. Bertha enjoyed her walks to the Bakery, the Wildcat Inn, and especially socializing and playing Bingo at Senior Citizens.
Bertha passed away at her granddaughter's home where she had lived since February 2007.
Bertha was our family's foundation. A woman of few words, we learned from the example she showed us each and every day that with strong faith and determination we can endure the hardships and losses in our lives.
Bertha was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, daughters and siblings.
Cherishing her memory are her granddaughters, Dee Ann (John) Alvarez of Bridgewater SD and Gay Jean (Marvin) Fluth of Lewistown, MT, her great-grandchildren Trevor Alvarez of Sioux Falls, SD, Kia (Jay) Tonneslan of Sumner, WA and Kip Fluth of Las Vegas, NV, along with her nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Thursday Dec. 23 at First Presbyterian Church in Bridgewater at 10:30 am with burial following in the Bridgewater City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-8 pm on Wednesday at the Walter Funeral Chapel in Bridgewater.
Laddie E. Kostel, Sr. age 89, of Yankton, passed away Friday, May 3, 2002, at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 6, 2002, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, with Rev. Robert Herman officiating. Burial will be in St. Wenceslaus Cemetery, Tabor, with military graveside rites by the Kortan Hatwan American Legion Post #183. Visitations will be 1-9 p.m. Sunday, May 5, 2002, at the Kostel Funeral Home, Yankton, with a rosary at 7:30 p.m. followed by a scripture service at 8 p.m. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. The pallbearers will be Tom Kostel, Tim Kostel, Clark Schiferl, Patrick Showers, John Showers, Jeff Heine and Jim Koupal.
He was born Oct. 16, 1912, in Tabor, S.D. to John F. and Katie (Rokusek) Kostel. He attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic Grade School, Tabor Public High School and Columbus College, Sioux Falls. He married Agnes Petrik on June 27, 1933, in Tabor, S.D.
He was a licensed funeral director and operated the Kostel Funeral Home and provided ambulance service in Tabor from 1935 until he retired in 1970. He continued to help his sons with the funerals when needed.
He served in the United States Navy as a Sea Bee during World War II. After the war, he became a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans. He was a Past Commander of the American Legion Post 183 of Tabor.
Prior to his service in the military, he was a clerk in the Post Office in Tabor, and after the war he received a presidential appointment as Postmaster. After thirty years of civil service, he retired.
He lived a faith-filled Christian life as a member of St. Wenceslaus Parish in Tabor for many years and most recently St. Benedict Parish in Yankton. He was well known for his beautiful tenor voice as a soloist and as a member of St. Wenceslaus Choir since 1926. He also served on the church board for many years and later served several years on the Parish Council. In the 1930's he served as the scoutmaster for the parish Boy Scout troop. He served as a CCD instructor for a number of years. One of his enjoyments was his skill as an amateur artist. He used his talent for the parish by repainting many of the statues in the church.
As an active member of the Catholic Sokol lodge, he participated both in the physical training program and in the Sokol dramatic group that put on Czech language plays. He was a member of the Catholic Workman Branch 93 of Tabor for over sixty years, past President of the South Dakota State Council, and served as Vice President and Director on the National Executive Council of the Catholic Workman for many years.
He was a lifetime member of the Moose Lodge, Elks and the Knights of Columbus in Yankton. He was a member of the Senior Citizens in Yankton and the Community Club of Tabor. He served as president of the Tabor Chamber of Commerce and took an active role in the committee that put on the Czech Days Festival. In his younger years, he danced with the famous Tabor Beseda dancers. He was instrumental in organizing the Czech Heritage Preservation Society and served as its president for 17 years.
After thirty years of service, he retired from the Tabor Volunteer Fire Department. When the Tabor Lumber Cooperative formed, he served as its secretary. He also served as clerk of the Tabor Town Board for several years before he entered into military service.
Sports were an important part of his life. He was well known as an exceptional baseball pitcher. He played for many teams including Legion and the Tabor Bluebirds. He also did semi-pro pitching for teams in southeastern South Dakota and northeastern Nebraska. He was a member of the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Commission for many years. In 1968 he was elected to the South Dakota Baseball Hall of Fame. He was the author of the book "A Century of Baseball." He loved playing golf and was proud that he shot an 85 when he was 86 years old. He also enjoyed many other activities such as sign painting, camping, hunting, fishing and Czech language translating. He used his carpentry skills to hand build his sailboat, "Kitty," and took his family sailing for many years.
He was an avid world traveler. He led tours to Europe and China and particularly the Czech Republic. His traveling culminated in a lifetime dream to visit the Holy Land where he could see many of the places where Christ spent His life here on earth.
After 54 years of marriage, his wife Agnes, died in 1987. On April 22, 1989, he married Evelyn Toczek Vitek in Tabor, and they made their home in Yankton.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn, Yankton; five children: David (Catherine) Kostel, Tabor; Anne (Gene) Schiferl, Longmont, Colo.; Laddie R. (Pamela) Kostel, Yankton; Marie (David) Pibal, Cherokee, Iowa; and Susan (William) Showers, Tabor; 18 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter.
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Agnes, his parents, three brothers, John, Charles and Steve, and one sister, Helen.
Funeral services for Tate Gene Krueger, 3 1/2 months, of Tyndall are 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 16, 2014 at the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield. Burial is in the church cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. followed by a 7 p.m. Prayer Service at the church. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Springfield is in charge of arrangements.
Tate Gene Krueger was born July 29, 2014 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton to Jeremy and Kendra (Tjeerdsma) Krueger of Tyndall. He left this world to go live with Jesus in Heaven on October 12, 2014 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.
Tate was truly a blessing from God to everyone that was fortunate enough to have met him. Tate could always be found with a big smile on his face and a belly laugh to be shared by all. His favorite activity was sitting in his bumbo at home and watching his two crazy brothers running wild. His Mom and Dad were in love with Tate from the very moment he was born and could spend hours just sitting with him looking into his beautiful baby blue eyes. There was always a glisten in those eyes as he was rocked to sleep and held in their arms. Tate loved cooing at Mom and Dad during bathtime especially. Tate’s time on this earth was short on quantity, but overflowing in quality with the love he shared with everyone. Tate was baptized on August 10, 2014 along with his two big brothers at Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield.
Tate leaves behind his two loving parents, his two brothers Brody (5) and Ryker (3); his paternal grandparents Dan and Sandy (Walth) Krueger of Gregory, SD; maternal grandparents Percy and Connie (Jensen) Tjeerdsma of Springfield, SD; great-grandparents Bob and Nettie Walth of Bonesteel, Donald and Marjorie Tjeerdsma of Springfield, and Dorsie Jensen of Beresford; along with many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Tate was preceded in death by his maternal great-grandfather Ray Jensen and his paternal great-grandparents, Leon and Joan Krueger.
Dead at Medina, N. Dak., on the 21st of April, 1910, Hanna Kiehlbauch, 86 years old. She was born the 25th day of July 1824 daughter of settler Jakob Knopfle in the colony of Alexanderhilf near Odessa, Russia. With the early death of her mother, she had to take the place of her mother to her younger siblings. In the year 1844 she married Joseph Kiehlbauch. Of the 14 children of this marriage, 8 are dead. In 1879 she came to America, lived first in Tripp, S. Dak., later in Hosmer, S. Dak., and for about 15 years she resided in Tyndall, S. Dak. With the death of her husband, Joseph Kiehlbach, Sr., in 1905 she lived first with her son John, then with her daughter Carolina Link, and when this family moved to Texas she went to live with her daughter, Mrs. Christine Gross, Medina, N. Dak. She nursed her old, sick, feeble mother with love until the blessed end. She (Johanna) was deeply grieved over the death report of her son Joseph (1908) and had been prepared to die before her beloved son. She implored her Savior, if He was willing, to redeem her and take her. On the 7th of 1909 she suffered a stroke, and again on the 28th of March, 1910. From then until her blessed end she was entirely helpless and in great pain. Her funeral will be held in Tyndall on the 27th of April with a great sharing together of her family, and her grandchildren will carry and lay her beside her husband. She leaves behind two brothers, four sons, two daughters, 68 grandchildren, and 45 great-grandchildren. For about 60 years she had been confirmed to God, and she carried the Lord with her until death. "Blessed are the dead, they who died in the Lord, etc."
Yesterday morning (May 30, 1905) Joseph Kiehlbauch, Sr. died, himself in his 79th year. The deceased was born in the year 1826 at Neuburg, Russia, was married in 1845 to Miss Johanna Knoepfle, lived with her 60 years in happy matrimony, and she now with prayer mourns his death. He leaves to mourn over the passing of their ancestor 5 sons, 2 daughters, 59 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren. In 1879 J. Kiehlbauch came to America and has lived since in Tyndall. The funeral has been set for the morning of May 31, Wednesday. We ask that he may have gentle repose.
Funeral services were held at the Friedens Reformed Church June 26 for Mrs. John Rotas, 43, who died at her home on June 24, 1962. Services were conducted by the Rev. Theophil Blaufuss and burial was made in the Peace Reformed Church with the Eggers Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Kotas, daughter of the late John and Christina Hauck, was born May 27, 1919 near Tyndall. She was confirmed by the Rev. K. J. Stubbs in 1933. In 1937 she was graduated from Tyndall high school and attended Southern State Teachers College and taught in the rural schools in Bon Homme and Hutchinson Counties for several years. She also taught Bible School at Emmanuel Creek and Sunday School at Friedens. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Mary Lou and Marcla! two sons, Michael and Mark; three brothers, Samuel, Emmanuel and Ruben Hauck; three sisters, Mrs. Walter Berndt, Mrs. Ruben Weidenbach and Mrs. Edwin Lehr.
Eileen M. Kortan, age 88, of Tabor, passed away Saturday, July 26, 2008 at Avera Yankton Care Center, Yankton, SD.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 2:00 PM, Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, SD with Rev. Joe Puthenkulathil and Msgr. Carlton Herman officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitations will be 5 to 9 PM, Tuesday, at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Tabor, with a scripture service followed by a rosary at 7:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour to the service at St. Wenceslaus Church, Tabor, SD. Pallbearers will be Don Kortan, Bruce Ulmer, Brian Vaith, Ryan Kortan, Zach Kortan and Alex Kortan. Honorary pallbearers will be all of Eileen’s grandchildren.
Eileen was born on March 11, 1920, on a farm outside of Utica, South Dakota to John and Mary (Sykora) Kutilek. She attended country school and worked various jobs until marrying Albert Kortan on May 6, 1941. The two of them worked at the State Hospital in Yankton and farmed outside of Tabor. They also owned and operated Lefty’s Bar in Tabor.
Eileen married David Kortan on January 11, 1955. After selling the bar, she managed the household and later was employed as a dietician for the Human Services Center and the Tabor School District. Eileen was a member of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Tabor and belonged to the Altar Rosary Society and the Ladies Legion Auxiliary. Eileen and David moved to Yankton in 2002. Eileen enjoyed cooking and caring for her family who rarely left the house without their favorite dumplings or kolaches in hand. She also enjoyed playing cards and socializing with family and friends and took great pride in being a good hostess in her home.
Eileen is survived by her husband David Kortan, six children; Elaine and Ken Vaith, Lesterville, Diane Kortan, Yankton, Roger and Rolanda Kortan, Lincoln, NE, Richard and Karla Kortan, Tabor, Ron and Karen Kortan, Fremont, NE and Tim and Ginger Kortan, Yankton, brothers; John and Marilyn Kutilek, Grand Rapids, Michigan and Jim Kutilek, Tempo, Texas sisters; Albina and Joe Hejna, Yankton, Marie and Glen Radel, Yankton, Helen and Joe Zdenek, Lesterville and Pauline and Harold Kniffen, Yankton; 16 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Albert, brothers: Emil and Ben Kutilek, sisters; Bessie Petrik and Agnes Kortan and great grandchildren Nicholas Vaith, Colin Hauck and Mallory Vaith.
Mary Lou Kostel, age 62 of Yankton passed away early Sunday, October 2, 2011 at Avera Yankton Care Center, Yankton.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Tabor with Msgr. Carlton Hermann officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitations will begin at 3 p.m. Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor with a 7 p.m. wake service. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers will be Bobby Walloch, David Walloch, Gene Soukup, Michael Soukup, Kevin Loecker, Darrin Loecker, Mark Herman, Nadine Kasel, Troy Herman, Todd Herman, and Brian Schoon. Honorary pallbearers will be Kathy Sayler, Bev Soukup, JoLynn Weber, Pam Roth, Nicole Soukup, and Jennifer Schoon. Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Tabor is in charge of arrangements.
Mary Lou was born on March 18, 1949 to Lawrence W. and Tillie (Novotny) Herman at Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Tabor, SD. On August 22, 1970, she was united in marriage to Roger Dale Kostel at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Tabor. She received her Teacher’s Certificate and began teaching at Petrik Country School and St. Wenceslaus Catholic Grade School in Tabor. On September 7, 1971, she began working at the South Dakota Human Services Center as a librarian where she worked for the next forty years. Mary Lou was a 2008 nominee as a Hero In The Fight, in celebration of all professionals fighting for better mental health. She always enjoyed working with patients, to help them with their educational wants of their diseases and recreationally, too, to get their mind off their illness.
She enjoyed Czech food, car rides and most of all family gatherings especially those out in the Black Hills. Her favorite holiday was Christmas and she always had a present for everyone. She loved flowers and researching family genealogy.
Those who will always cherish her memory are her husband, Roger Dale Kostel of Yankton, SD; her brother, Larry (Kay Wagner) Herman of Duluth, MN; sisters: Mildred Walloch of Tabor, SD, Rosalie (Eugene) Soukup of Wagner, SD, Charlotte (Edward Eichler) Herman of Yankton, SD, Marjorie (Roy) Schoon of Slayton, MN, and Tillie (Melvin) Loecker, Crofton, NE; 4 God Children: Nicole Rae Soukup and Darrin Paul Loecker, both of Sioux Falls, SD, Troy Herman of Ohio, and Jennifer Schoon of Slayton, MN; mother-in-law, Della Kostel of Yankton, SD and nieces and nephews.
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, her grandparents: Louie and Mary Novotny and William and Emma Dvoracek Herman; father-in-law, Joe Kostel and brother-in-law, Clarence Walloch.
Our dad passed away peacefully at home on June 12 with his family by his side. He was 93 years old and we were so blessed to have him as long as we did.
Dad was hard working and kept a close eye on his pennies. But, he was very giving with his acts of kindness for others. We believe that is why so many people called him, “Grandpa Harry”.
He was born in Scotland to Bozanna and John Kuchta. He lived in South Dakota with his parents and four siblings where they farmed. When he graduated from high school he went to work at the State Hospital. There he met his future wife of 49 years, Carmelita. They moved to California when he joined the Navy and had five children. His first job was working for Frank Corda as a Dairyman in Gonzales. In the early 50’s he bought the ranch in Arroyo Seco and started his own dairy with the help of his family. He had the dairy until the mid 60’s when the boys went into the service. He then sold the dairy and started hauling for Corn Nuts. He grew row crops and hay which he never quit doing. He also helped his kids plant their vineyard in 1997 and later opened Sycamore Cellars Tasting Room. Visitors would often see him driving around in his red fart cart. He loved visiting with those who stopped by.
Harry loved his family unconditionally and was always around to give his advice. He enjoyed recycling and looked forward to his monthly trips to town to turn in his cans and buy an ice cream with the earnings.
Harry leaves behind his son, Dennis(Joan); daughters, Barbara (Robbie) Madsen and Kathy Tavernetti; six grandkids, seven great grandkids and his brother, Lloyd.
Harry is preceded in death by his wife Carmelita; sons, David and Steven; his parents; sister, Dorothy; brothers Paul and Lewis; son-in-law, Marvin Tavernetti.
A Celebration of Dad’s life will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, June 28, 2013 at the Kuchta Ranch.
Those wishing to may make donations to the American Heart Association or charity of your choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Eddington Funeral Services, 333 East San Antonio Dr., King City, CA, (831) 385-5400
Catherine A. "Susie" Kostel, age 69 of Tabor passed away Tuesday, October 5, 2004 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.
The funeral Mass will be held on Friday, October 8, 2004, at 10:30 a..m. at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Tabor. Father Joseph Puthenkulathil and Msgr. Carlton Hermann will concelebrate the Mass along with other clergy members. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. A prayer service and rosary will be held at the Kostel Funeral Home in Tabor beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Visitations will be from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Thursday at the Kostel Funeral Home, and again on Friday morning prior to her funeral. Pallbearers will be JR Rasmussen, Robert Johnson, Kevin Anderson, Tyler and Jared Anderson, Eric Stayer, Jacob and Adam Johnson.
Susie was born on November 24, 1934, in Lake Forest, IL, to Edward P. and Bernice (Hammer) Ohlwein. A graduate of Marywood High School for Girls in Evanston, IL, Susie also attended the University of Illinois at Navy Pier in Chicago. She then was employed at Blann Pharmacy in Kenilworth, IL, for several years. She married David Kostel in Highland Park, IL, on January 21, 1956.
The couple lived in the Tabor and Tyndall area where David worked for the Kostel (family) Funeral Homes and also in Sioux City, IA, for a short time prior to moving to Yankton. Susie and David continued in the funeral business in Yankton until 1981 when they sold their interest in the funeral home.
The couple lived in Vermillion and Sioux Falls, while David pursued his doctoral degree and while they also completed instruction in the deaconate program. Prior to moving to Tabor and their retirement in 1997, Susie and David lived in Pierre as well.
She is survived by her husband David of Tabor, SD, a sister, four daughters and two sons, 11 grandchildren, and one great grandchild: sister Calista (Lou) Popp of Tempe, AZ; daughters Karen (JR Rasmussen) of Tabor, SD; Trish of Rapid City, SD; Julie (Kevin Anderson) of Mt. Prospect, IL; Barbara (Robert Johnson) of Mt. Vernon, SD; and sons Tom (Dana) of Huron, SD, and Tim of Yankton, SD. Grandchildren include: Laura (Eric) Stayer, Jake (Jalynn) Johnson, Adam Johnson, Tyler, Jared, and Keagan Anderson, Megan and Clay Kostel, Daveah, Drake, and Tane Johnson; and one great granddaughter, Ashley Stayer.
Preceding Susie in death are her parents, brothers Paul, Pete, and infant David Ohlwein; and one grandchild, Mary Johnson.
In Tabor, Susie was avidly involved in the church and community. As a member of St. Wenceslaus Church, she was involved in the Altar and Rosary Society, a Eucharistic minister and as a frequent lector.
Community involvement included the Tabor Chamber of Commerce, the Czech Heritage Preservation Society, and was a Beseda dancer. Susie was also a member of the Catholic Workman Association, as well as a member of the Yankton PEO Sister Chapter BT.
She will be fondly remembered by the many Tabor area CCD students for her homemade cookies and treats. Her hundreds of dozens of kolaches have been enjoyed by her family, friends, and community members. The annual Czech Days celebrations were special to her as she entertained all that shared in her love of the Czech culture. Her joys in life also included gardening, golf, and baking.
Stephen "Steve" W. Kostel, of Yankton, age 84, passed away Thursday, February 21, 2002, at Avera Sunset Manor Nursing Home, Irene, S.D.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, February 23, 2002 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Yankton, with Rev Mark Axtmann officiating. Burial will be at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery, Tabor, S.D. with military graveside rites by Kortan-Hatwan American Legion No. 183. Visitations was from 5-9 p.m. Friday, February 22, 2002, at the Kostel Funeral Home, Yankton, with a rosary at 7 p.m. followed by a Scripture service at 7:30 p.m.
Nearly 10 years after suffering a massive stroke, South Dakota Amateur Baseball Hall of Famer Steve Kostel passed away. He was born July 5, 1917, in Tabor, S.D. to John and Catherine (Rokusek) Kostel. As a young man, he met and married the love of his life, Mary Ann Schwartz on January 7, 1941 in North Platte, Neb. He spent his entire professional career with Cimpl's Meats, first managing a grocery store in Wagner and then moving to Yankton in 1951, where he cut meat for Cimpl's and finished his career as a salesman for the company. He and his family were proud of their Czech heritage and were annual celebrators at Czech Days in Tabor. He was a baseball fanatic, playing as a semi-pro catcher in Sioux City in his youth and later umpiring for many years in Yankton. His devotion to the sport landed him a spot in the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame. Until he suffered his stroke, he could still be found regularly cheering at the ballpark. He served in the Army and was a lifetime member of the Yankton Knights of Columbus and Elks Club. He was also a member of the American Legion in Tabor and the Yankton Senior Citizens. He lived his last years at Sunset Manor in Irene, S.D.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Kostel, Yankton; two sons: Paul (Delores) Kostel, Overland Park, Kansas, and Larry (Kathleen) Kostel, Denver, Colo.; brother, Laddie (Evelyn) Kostel, Sr., Yankton; five grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers.
Helen Koupal, 107, of Mitchell died Thursday August 14, 2014 at the Firesteel Nursing Home in Mitchell. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday August 18 at 10:30 AM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mitchell. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery in Mitchell. Visitation will be Sunday from 5-7 at the church with a scripture service at 7:00pm.
Helen was born at Tabor, South Dakota, on February 17, 1907, to Frank and Josephine Barta. She was one of eight children. She attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic school in Tabor, a rural school near Dante, South Dakota, and the Van Santis School of Business in Omaha, Nebraska. She married William James Koupal on June 21, 1926. Helen and Bill lived in Lesterville, Vermillion, Yankton and Mitchell, South Dakota. During the 67 years of their marriage, Helen was a working partner with her husband in a variety of small businesses including a trucking company, gas station and creamery, soft drink bottling and distribution company and a Karmel Korn Shop. Helen is the mother of three sons, Gene, Daniel and William.
Helen was fluent in the Czech language and was often asked to translate letters and other written materials. On a trip to the Czech Republic, she was assumed to be a native. Proud of her heritage, she was a master of Czech foods such as houska, kolaces and sour cream dill soup. She had a passion for plants and was an avid gardener throughout her life. She also kept a daily journal which is now part of a special collection at the South Dakota State Historical Society.
Helen was a devout Catholic for whom the rosary was a critical part of her prayer life. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Women's Catholic Forresters, the Czech Heritage Preservation Society, a charter member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church and the Holy Spirit Altar Society.
She is survived by her sons Dan and Gene Koupal of Mitchell and William G. Koupal of Pierre, fourteen grandchildren, twenty-six great grandchildren and four great, great grandchildren, plus numerous nieces and nephews.
Edward Alan Kudrna was born in Tabor, SD to Edward W. and Josephine (Kaiser) Kudrna on June 24, 1940 and died on October 8, 2014 in Hanford, California.
He grew up in Igloo and Tabor graduating from Tabor High School in 1958. Ed inherited the Kudrna and Kaiser musical genes, and after graduating from the Yankton College Conservatory of Music, he began a teaching career which eventually took him to schools in Grand Meadow, Minnesota and Hanford, California. His mechanical abilities later led him to a second career and his own business specializing in automotive electrical work.
Ed is survived by his two sons, Michael Kudrna of Arroyo Grande, California and Kevin (Courtney) Kudrna of Colorado Springs, Colorado; his grandchildren Christopher Jones, Drake Kudrna, and Kaia Kudrna; his brother Don (Gail) Kudrna of Omaha, Nebraska and his sister Sandy (Tim) Arbogast of Hillsboro, Oregon.
Josephine Kudrna, age 92, of Tabor died Friday, February 15, 2008 at Avera Yankton Care Center, Yankton, SD.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 21, 2008 at First United Methodist Church in Yankton with Rev. Dean Trapp officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories in Yankton. Visitations will be from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at the Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers will be Gary Kudrna, John L. Kudrna, Troy Skokan, Charles Stastny, Will Dangler, and Loy Gravholt.
Josephine Kudrna was born March 18, 1915, on the family farm near Lakeport in Yankton County to Fred J. Kaiser and Julia (Beran) Kaiser. She married Edward William Kudrna on January 11, 1938 at the Presbyterian Church near Tabor, SD.
Josephine lived her entire life in Tabor, SD apart from three years at the Black Hills Ordinance Depot near Hot Springs, SD in the early forties. She was a lifetime homemaker, and worked for fifteen years as a cook at Tabor High School where she retired in 1976. During her life, she loved cooking, sewing, bowling, sewing Czech costumed dolls and listening to music.
Survivors include her children, Edward and wife Brandi of Hanford, CA; Don and wife Gail of Tabor, SD; and Sandy (Mrs. Charles) Arbogast of Hillsboro, OR; five grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; and four great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Edward on February 7, 1992; her parents; five brothers: Edward, Fred, John, Frank and Lawrence; and two sisters, Rose Kennedy and Agnes Lake.
Funeral services for Miss Lydia Keller, 81, was to be at 2 p. m. Monday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with the Rev. Luther Gutz officiating. Interment was to be in Rosehill Cemetery with the Schmidt Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Miss Keller was born May 1, 1889 to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Keller in Sarato, Bessarabia, Rumania, and died May 28, 1970 at the Scotland hospital. In 1940 Miss Keller and her brothers and sisters fled to Germany and lived for 10 years in a German government camp for displaced persons. In 1950 she came to the United States.
She has no survivors here.
Funeral services for Martin Kocmich, 90, were held at the Assumption Church at Dante Friday morning. The Rev. Benno Pokovsky officiated. Burial was in the Dante cemetery under the direction of Crosby Funeral Home.
Mr. Kocmich died Nov. 24, 1958 following a lingering illness.
He was born Nov. 5, 1868 in Czechoslovakia. At the age of seven he came to America with his parents, who settled at Tabor. He was married to Rose Cuka and they were the parents of 12 children, nine of whom survive.
He came to Charles Mix county in 1910 and in 1933 he moved to Wagner.
Mrs. Kocmich preceded her husband in death Feb. 13, 1949. Surviving are five sons, John, Joseph, Martin, Thomas, and Adolph and four daughters, Mrs. Mary Burger, Mrs. Rose Mazourek, Mrs Pauline Petrik and Mrs. Irene Slaba. He also leaves 34 grandchildren and 49 great grandchildren.
Alice Kolecka, 87, died at Good Samaritan Village in Sioux Falls on Tuesday, May 20, 2014. A celebration of her life was Tuesday, May 27 at United Methodist Church in Geddes with burial following in Pleasant Lawn Cemetery in Geddes. Arrangements by Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Lake Andes.
Alice Kolecka was born on February 16, 1927 to Paul and Hannah (Pederson) Wentland in Wagner. She grew up on a farm in the Lake Andes area. She married John Kolecka on May 16, 1946 in Tyndall. She was a wonderful mother to her six children. They farmed northeast of Geddes until they retired in 1982 when they rented the farm to their son, Thomas. On April 10, 1986 John died and Alice sold the farm and moved into Geddes in 1986. Alice was a working, helpful farm wife. After she moved to Geddes she worked at a sewing factory in Platte, and cleaned houses. In 1999 she sold her house in Geddes and moved to Sioux Falls, where she became a senior companion. She enjoyed traveling, sewing quilts, reading, playing bingo, cards, puzzles, and all sorts of flowers. Alice also enjoyed dancing and all sorts of music, especially polka. She died at Good Samaritan Village in Sioux Falls on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at the age of 87 years and 94 days.
She is survived by six children, Betty (Emil) Gall of Columbia, SC, Thomas (Jean) Kolecka of Avon, Anna (Gary) Uchytil of Wagner, Eileen (Terry) Rasmussen of Central City, NE, Richard (Pam) Kolecka of Winner, and Dianna (Steve) Waller of Lake Havasu City, AZ, three sisters, six brothers, nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many friends and acquaintances.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, an infant son, and two brothers.
Dr. LeRoy J. Kleinsasser, passed away May 9, 2014, in Dallas, where he had lived for more than 65 years, reaching the age of 101. A caring, hard-working man with a well-developed and sometimes mischievous sense of humor, he was a loving father, gifted surgeon, avid golfer, fisherman, painter, outdoorsman, and good dancer. Dr. Kleinsasser was born February 24, 1913, in Chaseley, North Dakota, and later lived in Tyndall, South Dakota.
There were no sports teams, but there was debate. A famous story involved his going to the state finals, where an opponent made the mistake of quoting from a book in support of his argument. Dr. Kleinsasser had the book, and made a tremendous impression in rebuttal, declaring, "Show me the page! Show me the page!" This led, of course, to victory as the opponent had invented the quote. He also played the clarinet, even having a teacher and this turned out to be a good addition, as he later marched in the college band. The clarinet was sold while he was a medical resident for spending money.
He graduated valedictorian of his high school class, Cum Laude from the University of South Dakota, and received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Nebraska in 1936. He continued his medical education with internships at the University of Nebraska and University of Minnesota and completed his surgery residency training at Charity Hospital in New Orleans on the Tulane Surgical Division from 1938 to 1942.
During this period, he met and married Dorothy Aldwyth Waggener, a medical social worker at Charity Hospital. They were married for 42 years until her death in 1983. Dr. Kleinsasser, a World War II army veteran, achieved the rank of Major and was Chief of a Vascular Surgical Center during his service. After leaving the army in 1946, he served four years as Chief of the Surgical Service at the Dallas Veterans Administration Hospital. He then entered the private practice of vascular, general, and thoracic surgery and became Director of Medical Education and Director of Surgical Training Program at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. He was a pioneer vascular surgeon performing some of the first major vascular operations in Dallas. He belonged to prestigious vascular societies including the Society for Vascular Surgery, the International Cardiovascular Society, and the Southern Association for Vascular Surgery. He was certified by both the American Board of Surgery and the Board of Thoracic Surgery and was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
He was on the attending staffs of Baylor University Medical Center, Presbyterian Hospital, and Parkland and was clinical professor of surgery at Southwestern Medical School. He served as president of the Baylor University Medical Center Staff, Dallas Society of General Surgeons, North Texas Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, and Dallas Southern Clinical Society, and as vice president of the Texas Surgical Society. He was also a member of the Dallas County Medical Society, Texas Medical Association, American Medical Association, Texas Surgical Society, Society of University Surgeons, Southwestern Surgical Congress, and Western Surgical Association.
Dr. Kleinsasser retired from full-time surgical practice in 1987, and was a consultant until 2006. He continued to attend Surgery Grand Rounds through his 98th year. Dr. Kleinsasser had many interests, including hunting and fishing and the outdoors, which were all opportunities for spending time with his family. He was a long-time member of the Dallas Country Club where he enjoyed many hours of golf and, in his later years, dining and dancing with his dear friend Mrs. Betty Sanford and in the company of his social group. In the last few years, he enjoyed painting, the daily newspaper--especially the crossword--morning exercise class, and breakfast at Cindi's Restaurant when guests visited. He considered the exercise bicycle his nemesis and often spent 30 minutes a day on "the wheel." On his 100th birthday, every family member and many friends gathered in Dallas to celebrate his spirit and longevity.
He was preceded in death by his parents Anna Wipf Kleinsasser and Jacob G. Kleinsasser, brother Alvin North, loving wife Dorothy Waggener Kleinsasser, and son Dr. Karl John Kleinsasser. He is survived by daughter Katherine Kleinsasser Morris and husband Richard Morris of Portland, Oregon, daughter Olga Kleinsasser Harris of Raleigh, North Carolina, and son Roy Kleinsasser and wife Sandra Kleinsasser of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by grandchildren Erik Sotka of Charleston, South Carolina, Susan Sotka of Lake Oswego, Oregon, William Harris, and Laura Harris, both of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Karl Kleinsasser of Austin, Texas, as well as great grandchildren Max, Lyla, Kai, and Liv.
The family wishes to thank his many friends and colleagues who oversaw his health in his later years and numerous caregivers who eased his daily routine.
A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. May 19 at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
Betty Ann Kocer, age 91, of Tabor, formerly of Dante and Mitchell, passed away Thursday, May 15, 2014 at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, SD.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 23, 2014 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor with Rev. Steven Jones and Msgr. Carlton Hermann officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitations will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 22, 2014 at the Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Tabor with a wake service at 7:00 p.m. followed by a Rosary. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.
Betty was born November 19, 1922 on a farm northeast of Tyndall to Stiny and Agnes (Such) Carda. She went to Stekly School, then her parents moved to a farm southwest of Tabor where she attended Bon Homme School and Tabor High School. She worked in Omaha, NE for three years and married Sylvester Kocer of Dante in 1945.
While living in Dante, she belonged to the Altar Society and taught 6th grade CCD class for eight years. They lived on a farm for 27 years before moving to Mitchell in 1973. While living in Mitchell, she did restaurant work and worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital. She belonged to Holy Spirit Church and was active in church activities: Lay Minister and lector, Altar Society, Catholic Daughters of America, American Legion Auxiliary and VFW Auxiliary. In 2005, she was named Legionette of the Year. She loved her flowers and garden, was involved with volunteer work and was always smiling. She loved to be with people, especially working at the Corn Palace for basketball games, wrestling matches and baseball games. They moved to Tabor where she was active in the Altar Society, American Legion Auxiliary, Chamber of Commerce, Senior Citizens and volunteered with the Catholic Workman.
She is survived by her daughter, Nancy (Mike) Snell of Champaign, IL; grandsons, Michael and Charlie Snell, both of Champaign, IL; four sisters: Anne Ulmer of Yankton, SD, Agnes (George) Kocer and Irene Kocer, both of Tabor, SD, and Alice Rothchadl of Mankato, MN; 15 Godchildren, and many, many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Sylvester, parents: sisters, Nettie Carda, Vincie Adams and Mary Cap.
Funeral service for Mary A. Kuca, 83, of Avon, will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 5, 2007, at the United Methodist Church in Wagner, with burial in the ZCBJ Cemetery, rural Wagner. Visitation will be Tuesday from 12 noon to 8 p.m. at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner, with the family present from 6 to 8.
Mary Ann Kuca, daughter of James and Albina (Brodsky) Kalkus, was born May 5, 1924, on a farm near Wagner, SD. She died Saturday, December 1, 2007, at her home in Avon. Mary attained the age of 83 years, six months and 26 days.
Mary attended country school for eight years and graduated from Ravinia High School in 1942. She attended Southern Normal in Springfield for one year and then taught country school for three years.
Mary married Harold Kuca on June 10, 1946, at the Methodist Church parsonage in Wagner. Four children were born to their union. Mary and Harold farmed south of Dante for 36 years on the same farm. They moved into Avon on July 4, 1982. Harold died November 9, 1993.
Mary was member of the United Methodist Church in Wagner.
Mary enjoyed cooking and baking for her family, watching TV, reading, "find-a-word" books, and visiting with family and friends. She loved her grandchildren and also enjoyed her puppy friend, Buddy and cat, Milo.
Thankful for having shared her life are her children: Arlayne Kuca of Englewood, CO; Duane of Sioux Falls; Keith and wife, Cindy of Dante; and Cheryl Rokusek of Avon; six grandchildren; sister, Louise Pravecek and brother, Wilmer Rokusek, both of Tyndall; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sister, Anna Kulhavy; brother, Jerry Kalkus; and brother-in-law, George Pravecek.
Funeral services for Duane H. Kuca, 66 of Sioux Falls and formerly of Dante will be held 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at the United Methodist Church in Wagner, with burial in the ZCBJ Cemetery, rural Wagner. Visitation will be Tuesday from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner.
Duane Harold Kuca, son of Harold and Mary (Kalkus) Kuca, was born April 14, 1948 at Avon, SD. He passed away unexpectedly Friday, May 2, 2014 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Duane had attained the age of 66 years and 19 days.
Duane received his elementary education in Dante. He attended Wagner High School and later graduated from Avon High School.
After graduation, Duane worked for Soukup Implement in Tyndall. A couple of years later, he went into the trucking business, which was his life-long dream.
Besides his love of trucking, Duane will be remembered for his enjoyment of hunting.
Thankful for having shared his life are his siblings: Arlayne Kuca of Denver, CO; Keith Kuca and wife Cindy of Dante; and Cheryl Rokusek of Yankton; six nieces and nephews: Craig, Chad and Cody Kuca and Jeremy, Jessica and Jennifer Rokusek; brother-in-law Wilmer Rokusek of Tyndall; and other relatives and friends. Duane was preceded in death by his father on November 9, 1993 and his mother on December 1, 2007.
Harold Spencer Kluthe passed away February 27, 2004 at the age of 86. He was born in Scotland, SD, on January 5, 1918. He attended Indiana University, receiving a degree in journalism. Harold was a pilot for the Army Air Corps during WWII, dropping paratroopers. He flew for Eastern Air Lines from 1946 to 1978. He moved to San Antonio, TX in 1990 after living in Miami, FL for over 40 years. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Helen and son, David. He is survived by daughter, Karen Hendricks and her husband Don; sons, Karl and his wife Gwen, Craig and his wife Alisa; daughter-in-law, Andrea Kluthe; brother, Kenneth Kluthe; nine grandchildren; one great-grandson. Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 6, 2004, at 2:00 P.M. at University United Methodist Church in San Antonio. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to University United Methodist Church or Foundation End of Life Care (Vitas Hospice).
A memorial visitation for Brian Kelley, 25, formerly of Avon, will be Friday, April 11, 2014 at the Community Center in Tyndall from 5:30 until 8 p.m. with a Memorial Service at 6 p.m. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Chapel in Avon is in charge of arrangements.
Brian John Kelley, 25, formerly of Avon, SD, passed away at his home in Federal Heights, Colorado on Thursday, April 3, 2014. Brian was born on December 18, 1988 in Rosebud, SD, during a blizzard, a fact his family liked to joke often with him about. A long-time resident of the area, Brian attended school in Springfield and Tyndall, SD, before graduating from Avon High School.
As a student, Brian excelled in subjects like math and technology. After high school, Brian attended the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, SD, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science in May, 2012. After college, he took a position as a Software Engineer with Sencore in Sioux Falls, SD. Recently, he had taken an advancement opportunity with EchoStar and moved to the Denver, CO area. Outside of work, he also enjoyed designing programs and learning about new things.
Brian will be fondly remembered for his incredible sense of humor, and for his ability to lighten the mood. As a young child, he earned the nickname “Trout” for his love of the water, growing up along the Missouri River. He enjoyed music and cherished his time as a band member with his close friends. He also liked to skateboard and play video games with friends.
Brian is preceded in death by his mother, Linda (Kirby) Kelley; sister Shauna Marie Kelley; grandparents Charles and Helen Kelley; grandfather Leo Kirby, and numerous members of his extended family.
Brian is survived by his father Charles Kelley, of Avon; sister Colleen and husband Jim Wright, of Yankton; sister Kathleen, of Iowa City, IA; sister Bridget and fiancé Taylor Hallman, of Burnsville, MN; and brothers Charles W. and Andrew Kelley, both of Avon, SD.
He will be greatly missed.
Wallace & Irene Kreber
The funeral service for Wallace N. Kreber, 86 of Springfield will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 7, 2007 at the Tyndall Presbyterian Church in Tyndall, SD. Burial will be in the Springfield Cemetery, rural Springfield, with military honors. Visitation will be at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Springfield Tuesday from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m., with the family present from 5 to 6, and continue Wednesday morning until noon.
Wallace Napoleon Kreber was born September 20, 1920 to Napoleon "Poly" and Madge (Phoenix) Kreber on the Emil Kreber farm northeast of Springfield. Wallace attended Schmoll District #70 north of Tyndall and graduated from Tyndall High School in 1938. He was inducted into the service during World War II on August 16, 1942, He was discharged February 6, 1946 after serving overseas in India as clerk in the Base Operations office in Air Transport Command. Wallace started farming north of Springfield in 1952, after his parents moved to Yankton. Wallace married Irene Rehurek on March 8, 1943 in Hartington, NE at the Congregational Church parsonage by Rev. Bouchey. To their union five children were born.
Wallace served on the rural Armstrong School District #34 school board, and the Bon Homme County Election Board for many years. Wallace loved animals and took excellent care of his cattle herd in the company of the family dog. Wallace entered the Good Samaritan Center in Tyndall in September of 2005, and passed away there on Sunday, March 4, 2007 at the age of 86 years.
Thankful for having shared his life are his wife, Irene of Springfield, and five children Robert of Madison, WI, Ila Wright and husband, David of Yankton, Joleen of Stickney, and Neal and Jay, both of Springfield. He was blessed with two grandchildren: Susan Wright of Lexington, IL and John Wright of Chicago, IL. Also surviving are his cousins: Paul Crotty of Pocahantus, IA, Donzella Assmus of Arvada, CO, D'Elda Rae Ehlert of Buchanan, MI, Betty Prokopowich of Long Beach, CA, Don Petersen of Sioux City, IA, and Dana Petersen of Pierre.
Wallace was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.
Harold “Sonny” Kniffen, age 86, of Yankton, passed away on Monday, February 24, 2014, at the Avera Yankton Care Center, Yankton, SD.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 28, 2014 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Yankton with Rev. Ken Lulf celebrating and Msgr. Carlton Hermann con celebrating. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Lake Andes, SD at approximately 2:00 p.m. with military graveside rites. Visitations will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Yankton with a Rosary at 6:30 PM followed by a 7:00 p.m. Scripture service. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. The Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton are assisting with service details. Pallbearers will be Scott Kniffen, Adam Kniffen, Chris Kniffen, Kyler Kniffen, Travis Dvoracek, and Zachary Wiese. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren.
Harold was born on February 2, 1928 in Platte, SD to Harold W. and Pauline (Fyler) Kniffen. He served his country in the United States Air Force for four years earning the rank of Staff Sergeant as a pilot flying secret missions. In 1956, he married Germaine Carda at Lake Andes and in 1989 she passed away. Harold worked as a County Executive Director for ASCS for 33 years before retiring in 1986. As his sons played baseball, Harold announced their games for years. In 1991, Harold married Pauline (Kutilek) Ekern at Tyndall.
Harold was very involved in the Lake Andes community serving as a member on the School Board for 9 years, member of the Parish Council for St. Mark’s Catholic Church for many years, Knights of Columbus, and a Board member of the Ft. Randall Golf Course. Harold was a life member of the VFW Post #3239, Lake Andes where he served as a Post Commander for 2 years.
Harold enjoyed many outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, golfing, and farming. He also enjoyed bowling and polka dancing.
Those who will cherish his memory are his wife, Polly Kniffen of Yankton, SD; 3 sons: Doug (Karol) Kniffen of Wagner, SD, daughter-in-law (Bruce’s wife), Ladonna Kniffen of Yankton, SD, Robert (Lila) Kniffen of Canton, SD, Bryon Kniffen of Orange City, IA; 4 step daughters: Cindi (Brian) Goeden of Crofton, NE, Deb (Myron) Kubel of Palmdale, CA, Judy (Mark) Dvoracek of Fargo, ND, and Karen (Jeff) Wiese of Pipestone, MN; 17 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; a great great granddaughter; his sisters and brothers: Luella Thomson of Mason City, IA, Dean (Bev) Kniffen of Lake Andes, SD, Elmer Kniffen and special friend, Connie of Greeley, CO, Ken (Sharon) Kniffen of Greeley, CO, Charlotte Carda of Dueschene, UT, and Claudette (Robert) Pesicka of Cheyenne, WY; sister-in-law, Joan Kniffen of Loveland, CO and many nieces and nephews.
Harold was preceded in death by his first wife, Germaine, his son, Bruce Kniffen, his parents and 2 brothers, Robert and Darold Kniffen, brothers-in-law, Ernie Carda and Ed Thomson, and great grandchild, Chase Bessette.
Berdell L. Kinsley, 79, of Springfield died Monday, April 11, 2005, at St. Michael's Hospital in Tyndall.
Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 15, 2005, at the United Church of Christ in Springfield. Inurnment will be at the Springfield Cemetery with military honors. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home of Springfield is in charge of the arrangements.
Berdell Leroy Kinsley, son of Dell and Bernice (Figert) Kinsley, was born October 18, 1925, at Murdo, SD. He died Monday, April 11, 2005, at St. Michael's Hospital in Tyndall, SD, after a courageous battle with cancer. Berdell attained the age of 79 years, five months and 24 days.
Berdell attended rural Highland School near Murdo. The family later moved to a farm near Mission, SD, where he graduated from high school in 1943. Berdell enlisted immediately in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in April of 1946.
Berdell met his wife-to-be, Agnes Klemme, at Southern State College in Springfield, where they both graduated with degrees in education, soon after their marriage in May of 1949. They taught in various schools instate, including He Dog Indian School, Fort Thompson, and Lower Brule. They continued with the BIA in Alaska at the isolated Eskimo villages of Eek and Kalskag, where the the family raised their own Huskies for winter travel. After five years in Alaska, they returned to South Dakota, teaching first at Oglala on the Pine Ridge Reservation and eventually in Todd County, where they remained in education until retiring in 1989. They moved to Springfield in 1991. Agnes died January 20, 1998. Berdell remarried in March of 1999 to Maxine Schuurmans and they built a home together in Springfield, which they have shared for six years.
Grateful for sharing his life are wife, Maxine; his children: Lesley (Ron) Gebhart of Fairbanks, AK, Deborah (Jim) Lauer of Ainsworth, NE, and Kermit (Virginia Kinsley of Orange, TX; grandchildren: Libby and Nick Gebhart, Alissa Lauer Johnson, Jason Lauer, Megan (Ryan) Lauer Killion, Aaron Lauer, and Melissa and Justin Kinsley; and three great grandchildren. Berdell is remembered with love as well by sisters: Wanda (Ted)Schubauer of Valentine, NE and Edith (Calvin) Neiss of Rapid City; and brother-in-law, Leverne (Lavonne) Klemme of Akron, IA; sisters-in-law: Lulda Klemme Abrahamson of Akron, IA and Marge (Norman) Flados of Harlingen, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Berdell will be missed as well by the acquired extended Schuurmans family: Jim (Vicki) Schuurmans, Bernie (Terri) Schuurmans, Kay (Larry) Mehlhaff, Rick (Carol) Schuurmans, Jane Clem and Tom (Beth) Schuurmans and their families.
Berdell was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Agnes, and three sisters: Mavis Kinsley Wiedman, Mildred Kinsley Davenport, and Antha Kinsley Furry.
Funeral services for Edgar "Curly" Knoll, 85, of Avon will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 6, 2007, at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Avon. Burial will be at the Trinity Presbyterian Cemetery, rural Avon, with military honors. Visitation will be at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Avon Friday from 12 noon to 5 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. prayer service at the church.
Edgar "Curly" Knoll, son of Everet and Millie (Christjans) Knoll, was born May 10, 1921, on a farm near Avon. He died unexpectedly Wednesday, January 3, 2007, at the Community Memorial Hospital in Wagner. Curly attained the age of 85 years, seven months and 24 days.
Curly attended Mawhinney Country School in rural Avon through the eighth grade. He entered the US Navy in 1945 and served as a Seabee. Curly married Evelyn Pelton on June 7,1945, at Vermillion. Five children were born to their union.
Curly farmed all of his life. He loved cows and farming was his hobby. He enjoyed being with his family and friends, and music and dancing. Curly never officially retired, he always said, "…just got tired."
Curly was a member of the Trinity Presbyterian Church and the Arthur Wissman American Legion Post in Avon. Thankful for having shared his life are his wife, Evelyn of Avon; his children: Shirley and husband, Larry Schuh of Vermillion, Terry and wife, Judy of Tiffin, IA, Bill and wife, Cheryl of Tyndall, and Bob and wife, Judy of Avon; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two brothers: Herlan and wife, Joan of Tulsa, OK and Jim and wife, Annetta of Avon; and many relatives and friends.
Curly was preceded in death by an infant son, Jerry; his parents; and a brother, Pete.
Bessie Krivenak, 102, born in Tabor, South Dakota August 12, 1888, died June 3 1991. Preceded in death by her husband, Frank and one son, Richard. She is survived by a son, Millard Krivanek; two daughters, Frances Jun and Beatrice Hendrick; two daughter-in-law, Emma Krivanek and Robert Krivanek, all of Oklahoma City; one sister, Margaret Shedeck, Spearman Texas; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and 9 great great-grandchildren; and one great, great, great-granchild. Service 2:00 pm Thursday, Bill Merritt Chapel, interment Resthaven Memory Gardens.
Henry Herman Koester, 78, of Shellbark Ave., South Bend, passed away at his home on Friday, March 6th, 2009.
He was born on October 4th, 1930 in Avon, South Dakota to Angelus and Marie Koester who preceded him in death. He is survives by his wife, Eleanor of 51 years, and his daughters, Eileen (David) Shingledecker of Mishawaka and Emilie (Victor) Thierfelder West Palm Beach, Florida. Also surviving is a son, David (Lisa) Koester of South Bend, ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Two brothers from Frankenmuth, Michigan and many nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death, along with his parents, by two sisters.
He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving honorably in the Army and being discharged in 1956. Mr. Koester was a retired Carpenter and was very active in his church, Peace Lutheran Church of Granger.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00am Monday at Peace Lutheran Church, 16791 Cleveland Road, Granger, Indiana with Rev. Steven Mischke officiating. Friends will be received for one hour prior to the services on Monday at the church. Burial will follow the services at Highland Cemetery, South Bend. The family wishes that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to be made to the Peace Lutheran Church. Bubb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
DeWayne L. Kozak, 77, of Le Mars, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, October 31, 2014 at his home in Le Mars.
Funeral services will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at the Le Mars Bible Church. Pastor Fred Gums will officiate. Burial will follow at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars.
Visitation will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, November 3, 2014 at the Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. The family will be present to greet friends from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service scheduled at 7:00 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to the funeral service on Tuesday.
DeWayne Laddie Kozak was born on August 11, 1937 in Wagner, South Dakota to Laddie and Rose (Melichar) Kozak. He graduated from Tabor High School in 1955. DeWayne furthered his education at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion where he majored in music. During this time he served in the South Dakota National Guard. DeWayne purchased a Phillips 66 service station in Vermillion and operated it for several years. Along with the station he formed a music group called DeWayne Kozak and his Orchestra. The orchestra played in several places around the area and appeared often with Lawrence Welk.
On April 4 1964, DeWayne and Nyla Oorlog were united in marriage at Olivet, South Dakota. One year later they moved to Yankton, South Dakota and DeWayne worked at Montgomery Ward. In 1969, the family moved to Le Mars. DeWayne first operated a Jewel T sales route. He later took a position with CM Corporation and developed nursing homes in the area. When CM closed he took a position with Dynamic Homes selling modular housing and Chemical Sanitizing Services (CSS) as a sales rep. His last occupation prior to retirement was developing a marketing plan for Lally’s Restaurant to promote the sale of their BBQ sauce and salad dressings.
DeWayne was a longtime member of the Le Mars Bible Church. He enjoyed fishing with his boys and watching Animal Planet. He was a conversationalist and loved to visit with anyone he met.
He will be lovingly remembered three sons, Darrin and Kathy of Glidden, Iowa, Mike of Akron, Iowa and Chris and Dena of Brentwood, Tennessee; grandchildren, Erica, Alison and Katelynn and her fiancé Nathan Johnston, Christopher and Joslyn Pappadackis and Stephanie Pappadackis; a great-grandson, Levi; a sister and her husband, Jude and Gene Peterson of Buena Vista, CO; a brother and his wife, Laddie and Zoe Kozak of Estherville, IA; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Nyla on August 12, 2014; and an infant sister, Delores.
Funeral Mass for Mrs. Joseph (Mary) Kozel, 82, will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Leo's Catholic Church with the Rev. Hal Barber officiating. There will be a Christian Wake Service Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the church. Friends may call anytime Thursday at the Petrik Funeral Home. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
She was born Sept. 18, 1890 at Tabor to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kloucek and died unexpectedly at the local hospital March 27, 1973.
On Oct. 25, 1909 she married Joseph Kozel at Lesterville.
Survivors include a son, Eugene, Dante; three grandchildren; two great grandchildren; one brother, Felix Kloucek, Corvallis, Ore.; three sisters, Mrs. George Britton and Mrs. Emiline Balvin, Tyndall, and Mrs. Joseph Verba, Dante.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1968, three sisters and three brothers.
Franklin Edward “Fox” Kocer, age 78 of Apple Valley, MN passed away on Tuesday, August 14, 2012.
Frank was born on January 26, 1934 to Vit and Lillian Kocer in Lesterville, SD. He attended North Star Country School and graduated from Scotland High School in 1952. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Yorktown during the Korean War. Frank was a long time member of the VFW and American Legion, serving as the Legion Representative during Lesterville’s 1983 State Championship baseball team.
After his military service, Frank attended school at Southern State College in Springfield, SD. Frank held numerous jobs in the service industry, including Cesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, NV and owner/proprietor of The Fox’s Den in Tabor, SD where he was also President of the Chamber of Commerce in 1980. Frank broadcast the Tabor News “live from the penthouse atop the Fox’s Den” in beautiful downtown Tabor each week on KYNT radio.
Frank enjoyed outdoor activities, including softball and working for the Eagan, MN parks department. He loved animals and is surely playing with his late dog Tori today. Frank was a compassionate person and was awarded an honorary police badge from the Apple Valley, MN police chief for rescuing a little girl.
Survivors include his son Mark Kocer of Apple Valley, MN, daughter-in-law Danita (Bierle) Kocer of Apple Valley, MN, grandchildren Nathan Kocer of Apple Valley, MN, Stephanie Kocer of Minneapolis, MN, and Ashley (Aaaron) Sauter, of Farmington, MN, great-grand daughters Kendelyn and Elliana Sauter of Farmington, MN, and sisters Marjorie (John) Scherschligt of Lesterville, SD, Patricia (Jim) Boydston, of Renton, WA, and Kay Bruna of Scotland, SD.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Vit and Lillian (Post) Kocer.
A private celebration of life ceremony will be held in Apple Valley, MN.
His family has requested that memorials be dedicated to the Humane Society as a Kindred Spirits gift at www.humanesociety.org or call (866) 693-7436.
Leroy Charles Koftan Sr., 79, of Howard, Kansas died October 26, 1972 at the Sedan City Hospital.
Leroy Charles Koftan Sr. was born December 31, 1892 at Tyndall, South Dakota, the son of Joseph and Frances Hlinovsky Koftan. He was a retired farmer who had resided in Elk county since 1943.
He was a veteran of World War I service in the U.S.Army and was a member of the American Legion and the First Christian church of Howard.
He married Alma Lindsey in Missouri, September 13, 1936 and she preceded him in death in 1955.
Survivors include three sons, Leroy Charles Koftan Jr., Topeka; James Edward Koftan, Wathena; and Kenneth J. Koftan, Wichita; one daughter, Mrs. Ed (Louise) Heck, Howard; two sisters, Mrs. Margaret Langhammer, Clarence, Missouri and Mrs. Ella Adul, Isabell, South Dakota; and nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Services were held Friday at 2:00 p.m., in the Spurrier Funeral Home Chapel, with pastor Hurley Low of the Baptist church officiating. Burial was in Grace Lawn cemetery.
Oscar Kelley was born in Cumberland, Wiconsin, February 8, 1866. He mastered the butcher's trade and when a young man of 21 came to South Dakota, locating in Tyndall where he has since made his home. June 11, 1889, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Beringer and to this union two children were born, Oscar and a daughter Blanche, who died when six months of age. He wife passed away, June 9, 1894, from burns suffered in an explosion of a gasoline stove. On May 19, 1897, Oscar married Miss Tracy Svoboda, in Tyndall. They set up housekeeping and this has continually been their home.
To this second union five children were born, all of whom are still living and with Oscar in Minneapolis, were able to be with the mother for the last rites of the father and husband. The children are: William, of Minneapolis; George, of Sioux Falls; Frank of Pierre; Mrs. Dennis Murphy, of Tyndall and Mrs. Ray Post of Faith.
Funeral services for Joseph Kadlec, 80, will be at St. Leo's Catholic Church Monday at 9:30 am with Msgr. L.F. Zwinger officiating. The body will lie in state Sunday at the Petrik Funeral home. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.
Mr. Kadlec was a clerk at the Post Office at Tyndall for many years and was a Veteran of World War I. He moved to Phoenix, Arizona, about 10 years ago. He died there April 6, 1972.
Survivors include a brother, Charles, Phoenix.
Alma Mae Kortan of Nampa passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 12, 2008, at home, in Nampa, Idaho.
Alma was born in Mahnomen, Minnesota, October 12, 1920, to Joseph and Eleonor Koenig. She was the youngest of four children. She grew up in Lesterville, South Dakota. In 1941, she married W.A. (Jim) Kortan on April 29. While living in South Dakota, Alma taught grade school. In 1949, she moved with her family to a farm on Amity Ave. in Nampa and resided there for 57 years. In those years, she taught school in Ada and Canyon County and retired from Lincoln School in Caldwell in 1984.
Alma is survived by her husband, W.A. (Jim) Kortan; a sister, Wilhelmina Stinson of Palm Bay, Florida; 3 sons: Larry and Pat Kortan, Tom and Shari Kortan of Nampa, Rick and Marie Kortan of Phoenix, AZ; 4 daughters: Janet Dowell of Boise, Pat and Ron Becker of Nampa, Jean and Steve Biggs of Iola, TX, Connie and Bill Wrenfrow of Payette. She had 15 Grandchildren, 26 Great-Grandchildren and 3 nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, one sister and one nephew.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Meridian Senior Center or a favorite charity.
A Funeral Mass was held January 18, 2008, at St Paul's Catholic Church, Nampa, Idaho. Services were under the direction of Flahiff Funeral Chapel, Caldwell, Idaho.
Services were held for Wenceslaus Albert "Jim" Kortan at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Nampa, Id. January 9.
Jim was born in Tabor July 20, 1913 to Vaclav and Mary Kortan. Jim had two brothers and one sister. He grew up on a farm in Tabor in 1941 he married Alma Koenig, they farmed on the Kortan Homestead and had four children while there. In 1949 Jim with his family moved to a farm on Amity Ave. in Nampa where they had three more children. He resided there for 58 years and the last year moved to Park Place Assisted Living in Nampa. Jim died on the evening of January 4, 2010 at a local hospital.
Jim is survived by his seven children, Larry (Pat) Kortan of Nampa, Janet Dowell of Boise, Id., Pat (Ron) Becker of Nampa, Jean (Steve) Biggs of Iola, Tex., Tom (Shari) Kortan of Nampa, Rick (Marie) Kortan of Phoenix, Ariz., Connie (Bill) Wrenfrow of Payette, Id.; two siblings, Dave Kortan of Tabor and Marie Schuch of Denver, Colo.;15 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Alma died January 12, 2008; his parents, Vaclav and Mary; one brother; one nephew and other extended family.
Bob Kortan, 70, of Schuyler, died Tuesday, December 3, 2013, at Bryan LGH West in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Mass of Christian Burial is Saturday, December 7, at 10:30 a.m. at Divine Mercy Parish, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Schuyler, Neb., with Reverend Andrew Syring officiating. Committal is in the Schuyler Cemetery. Lunch is at the St. Mary’s Social Center. Memorials: Family wishes. Visitation is Friday from 4-7 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m.; and Saturday 8:30-10:00 a.m., all at Kracl Funeral Chapel.
Robert J. Kortan was born April 20, 1943, on the home place in Tabor, South Dakota. He attended school in Tabor and graduated from Tabor High School in 1961. On April 26, 1962, he married Jean Tupper at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Tabor. They lived in Yankton until moving to Schuyler in 1968. Bob worked for the Schuyler Packing Company, later owned and operated Schuyler Processing, did painting, worked for the Schuyler Parks Department and had worked part time for Lavern Kracl at the Last Chance Bar. For the past few years, Bob was a valued employee of Kracl Funeral Chapel. He loved spending time with his family, was an avid sports fan and loved to tell stories of his days playing softball and baseball. He was a member of Divine Mercy Parish and the Schuyler Eagle’s Club.
Bob is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jean of Schuyler, three daughters; Robin Kortan, Schuyler, Shelly Kortan, Lincoln and Tracy (Brad) Wegner, Schuyler, four grandchildren; Chelsea and Colby Kortan and Walker and Vincent Wegner, one brother, Donald (Kathy) Kortan of Tabor and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant son, Grant Robert Kortan.
Kracl Funeral Chapel of Schuyler in charge of these arrangements.
Kevin James Koenig, age 34 of Yankton, South Dakota, died Tuesday, November 26, 2013.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 30 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Tyndall, South Dakota. The family will receive visitors at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Tyndall on Friday, November 29 from 3-5 p.m. with the rosary being prayed at 4 p.m. and a wake service at 7 p.m.
Kevin was born April 6, 1979 in Rapid City, SD to James and Kathleen (Donahue) Koenig of Tyndall, SD. He grew up in Tyndall and graduated from Bon Homme High School in 1998. After high school, he attended the University of South Dakota before gaining acceptance into Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. He received a degree in Industrial Labor Relations, interning on Wall Street during the summer of 2001 and spent some time at the World Trade Center. During his final semester in 2002, Kevin interned for Tom Daschle in Washington, DC. He graduated from Cornell in 2002.
Kevin launched his business in real estate and property management upon returning to South Dakota and developed a knack for home remodeling. Kevin married Marichu Matig-a on March 8, 2012.
Kevin had a joyous childhood growing up in Tyndall and was a lead player on his basketball and football teams, standing at 6 feet 7 inches tall. He was passionate about music and played the drums on any surface he could find while belting his baritone voice. He sparked invigorating political discussions with whomever would engage with him and had a sharp wit. He loved traveling, caring for his pets, and sharing in family traditions, especially around the holidays. He had a deep love for his family and cherished time spent with his grandparents. He will be remembered for his fantastic sense of humor, his commanding stature, and his compelling personality.
Kevin is survived by his parents, James and Kathleen Koenig of Tyndall; sister Carolyn (Mike) Gleason and their children, Quinnlyn and Liam, of Belle Plaine, MN; sister Maureen (James) McFarlane of Minneapolis, MN; grandmother Eileen Donahue of Wakonda, SD; his beloved cat, Reit; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, James Donahue of Wakonda and Eugene and Agnes Koenig of Tyndall.
Funeral mass for Lawrence H. Kreber, 67, will be Saturday at 2pm at St. Leo's Catholic church. The scripture service will be at 7:30 pm Friday at the Petrik Funeral home. The rosary by the Knights of Columbus will follow. Burial will be in the parish cemetery with military rites by the Tyndall American Legion Post and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Mr. Kreber was born May 20, 1900 in Bon Homme county and died Jan. 18, 1968 at a Yankton hospital. He married Gladys Ball Feb. 23, 1922. He served in France in World War I.
Survivors include four daughters, Mrs. James (Winifred) Peterson, Mitchell; Mrs. Donald (Jeane) Wysupin, Tyndall; Mrs. Daniel (Shirley) Karolovitz, Waseca, Minn., and Mrs. Richard (Carol) Ferguson, Tabor. Four sons, Lawrence, Jr., Crystal, Minn., James, Topeka, Kan., John, Tabor, and Wayne, Rapid City. 20 grandchildren. Two brothers, Albert, Tabor, and Louis, Springfield, and three sisters, Mrs. Anton Pesicka and Mrs. James Barger, Tabor, and Mrs. Charles Kayl.
Funeral services for Steven J. Kreber, 15, rural Springfield, will be at 10 am Friday at St. Leo's Catholic Church with Msgr. L.E. Zwinger officiating. A Christian Wake will be held at the church Thursday at 7:30pm. The body will lie in state at the Petrik Funeral Chapel all day Thursday.
Steven Kreber died Thursday (26 Dec 1972) at a Yankton Hospital as a result of a car accident Dec. 7 near his home. He was born May 28, 1957 to Mr. and Mrs. Levoyd Kreber and was a sophomore at Tyndall High School. He was a member of the FFA and played football and wrestling at Tyndall High School.
Survivors include his parents; two sisters, Mrs. Lester Kalda, Tyndall; Mrs. Gary Mount, Volin; one brother, Michael, Springfield; and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Kreber, Tabor.
Levoyd Isadore Kreber, 81, Tyndall, died Saturday (June 9, 2001) at St. Michael's Hospital, Tyndall.
Funeral services are at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Leo's Catholic Church, Tyndall, with Rev. Jerry Kopel officiating. Burial will be at St. Leo's Catholic Cemetery, Tyndall. Pallbearers will be Robert Fullenkamp, David Hacecky, Rick Kreber, John Kreber, Tim Hacecky and Joe Zilla. Visitation is from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. today (Monday) at the Petrik-Kelley Funeral Chapel, Tyndall, with a 7:30 p.m. wake service at the church.
He was born Jan. 9, 1920, at Avon to Albert and Lillian (McCann) Kreber. He married Leona Hacecky Feb. 3, 1942, at Yankton. They farmed 12 miles southeast of Tyndall, near Twin Bridges. He farmed all his life and loved to drive all around the countryside checking crops.
He loved playing cards and listening to polka music.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Cattlemen's Livestock Association and B-Y Water District Association.
He is survived by his wife, Leona, Springfield; three children: Karen (Les) Kalda, Tabor; Pat (Gary) Mount, Volin; and Michael (Sandy) Kreber, Tabor; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two brothers: Robert Kreber, Springfield; and Ron Kreber, Laguna Beach, Calif.; and one sister, Marge Zilla, Tyndall.
He was preceded in death by a son, his parents, step-mother, a sister and one infant brother.
Christine J. King was born on Saturday, June 9, 1962 at Elgin, Illinois to John and Loretta (Smith) King. She graduated from Tyndall High School in 1980 and attended nursing school in Missouri. She was married to Barry Hollman on June 9, 1982 at Mission, Texas. She worked at Coyote Sports in Tabor, and as a CNA at Sister James Care Center and the Human Services Center. Christine was a loving mother who loved to spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Christine passed away on Friday, January 8, 2010 at Avera St. Michael's Hospital in Tyndall, having attained the age of 47 years, 6 months and 30 days.
Christine is survived by two children: Eric (Corinna) Hollman of Norfolk, Nebraska and Kara (Jason) Drury of Sioux Falls; three grandchildren: Jayden and Levi Glenn and Joiee Hollman; five sisters and brothers: Patricia Carr, Mejia, Texas, John (Mary) King of Watertown, Peggy (Frank) Brown of Florence, South Carolina, Linda Browning of Elkhorn, Wisconsin and Steve (Kathy) King of Lesterville. Christine is also survived by her puppy, Jackson.
Christine was preceded in death by her parents.
John Delmar King Sr., 76, Tyndall, died Wednesday (May 29, 2002) at St. Michael's Hospital, Tyndall.
Funeral services are 1 p.m. today (Saturday) at the Goglin-Kelley Funeral Chapel, Tyndall, with the Rev. Joseph Howlett officiating. Burial is in the Tyndall Cemetery with military rites by the Tyndall V.F.W. and the American Legion posts. Pallbearers are Eric Hollman, Terry Mann, Mark Fischer, Chris Getty, Robert Lange and Michael Gose. Visitation is from 11 a.m. to service time today at the funeral home.
He was born March 2, 1926, at Gibson City, Ill., to John O. and Myrtle A. (Speers) King. He attended schools in Bloomington, Ill. He served in the U.S. Navy from March 2, 1944, to May 25, 1946. On March 9, 1947, he married Loretta B. Smith at Bloomington. He worked at various occupations: farming, sales, truck driver and warehouseman. They moved to Elgin, Ill., in 1954. He worked for C&R Industries in Elgin until being transferred to C&R Industries in 1978 in Springfield. He worked for C&R Industries for 31 years.
He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Tyndall.
He survived by six children: Patricia Carr, Tyndall; John Jr. (Mary) King, Lebanon, Tenn.; Linda Browning, Elkhorn, Wis.; Peggy (Frank) Brown, Florence, S.C.; Steven (Kathy) King, Lesterville; and Christy King, Sheldon, Iowa; 17 grandchildren 12 great-grandchildren and one sister, Darlene Schmidt, Bloomington.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, one brother and two sisters.
Funeral services for Irene A. Koth were held Friday, Dec. 29, 2006, at Friedens Reformed United Church of Christ, Tripp, with the Rev. Greg Way officiating. Interment was made in the church cemetery with Goglin Funeral Homes in charge of arrangements. Casketbearers were James Stiefel, Michael Nepodal, Willmer Herr, Rick Meyer, Delmar Guthmiller, and Keith Dewald.
Irene Annette Koth was born six miles northwest of Tyndall on June 30, 1909, to Henry M. and Mary (Guthmiller) Hoff. Her parents moved to Tyndall to run a business when she was five years old. She attended grade school in Tyndall. Her father passed away at 39 and she was left to care for her invalid mother, a younger sister, and two younger brothers. Her mother passed away in 1927. At that time, she moved to Tripp and lived with her uncle and aunt, Mike and Edna Hoff. While living there, she worked at Hink's Cafe for five years.
On June 9, 1935, she married Arnold Koth. They made their home in Kaylor and Delmont for short times before moving to a farm north of Tripp, which was Arnold's birthplace. They lived on the farm until their retirement in 1976, when they moved to Tripp.
She was a lifelong member of the Reformed Church. She was baptized, confirmed and married in that faith. She was a member of the Women's Guild for 58 years, Sr. Citizens, Extension Club, and Nursing Home Auxiliary. She held offices in all of those organizations at various times. For many years, she was a Sunday school teacher, a choir member and a volunteer at the nursing home.
In 1990, she entered the Tripp Good Samaritan Home where she resided until her death on December 26 at the age of 97 years, five months, and 26 days.
She is survived by one daughter, Patti and husband, Bob Stiefel, Valley, Neb.; son, Doug and life partner, Lucy Bayliss, Redonda Beach, Calif.; one grandchild, James, Fremont, Neb.; and great-grandson, Jacob, Omaha, Neb.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her daughter, one sister, and two brothers.
Steven J. Kortan of Buda, Texas passed away March 16, 2007 at age 97.
He was born June 19, 1909 in Tyndall, South Dakota. He attended grade school and high school in Geddes, South Dakota and got his BS degree in engineering at S.D.S.U. in 1933. Steven married Gertie Mehlhoff on December 15, 1935. He worked for the Soil Conservation Service for 37 years and retired in 1972 and moved to Texas.
He belonged to the Masons of Buda Lodge 800-Scottish Rite and Shrine of Hella Temple in Dallas, Texas.
He was President of Coronado Council in Salina, KS, Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor in KS and made the "Who's Who" in Engineering in 1957.
Steven was preceded in death by his wife, Gertie, who passed away in 1993.
Survivors are his daughter, Karen Riker and husband Al of Irving, TX, and son James S. Kortan and wife Penny of Buda, TX; seven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, March 18, 2007 at Harrell Funeral Home. Honorary pallbearers will be Mark Riker, Steven Riker, Michael Kortan, Steve Jones and Jimmy Brown. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations may be made to your favorite charity.
Roy W. Kreeger, 78, of Bridgewater died Friday, October 28, 2005, at his home. He was born May 20, 1927, in Tyndall, S.D., to William and Anna Kreeger. He married Reba Crawford July 12, 1947, in Kentucky. He was employed the NorthWestern Bell Telephone Company for 43 years. He also served in the Army.
Survivors include his wife, Reba; sons: Dennis of Bridgewater and James (Vicki) of Salem; daughters: Judy (Dave) Longbottom of Bakersfield, CA, and Linda Holm of Redfield; five grandchildren; and sisters: Mary Prince of IL and Shirley Selburg of CO.
Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Trinity Presbyterian Church of Bridgewater with burial in the Bridgewater City Cemetery. Visitation begins at 5 p.m. Monday at the church. A prayer service is set for 7 p.m. Monday evening.
Stephen C. Kreber, 68, of Yankton died Wednesday, September 21, 2005, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton surrounded by his immediate family. Stephen attained the age of 68 years, three months and 20 days.
His service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 24, 2005, at the Springfield Community Bible Church in Springfield with Pastor Charles Meyers officiating. Interment will be at the Springfield Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Chapel in Springfield from 12 noon to 6:00 p.m. on Friday and continue from 9 to noon on Saturday. Pallbearers will be his cousins: Jay and Neal Kreber, Bernard Pletka, Dean Bardwell and friends, Ken Philippi and Jack Walker.
Stephen Charles Kreber, son of George and Lillian (Plumb) Kreber, was born June 1, 1937, on a farm three 1/2 miles north of Springfield.
Stephen attended country school in rural Bon Homme County and graduated from Springfield High School. He attended two years at Southern State College in Springfield. Stephen served in the Springfield National Guard Unit for four years.
Steve shared his Dad's love for band marches. He played his clarinet with his dad in Legion Band. He lived and worked on the family farm until July of 1990. Steve married Sandra Beemer on April 24, 1976, at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Tyndall. He and his family moved to Tyndall in July of 1990 and to Yankton in July of 2000. After he quit farming, Steve worked at various jobs that included Coyote Sports of Tabor, Great Plains Luggage of Tyndall, Gurney's in Yankton and Cimpl's in Yankton.
Steve enjoyed bowling, fishing and miniature golf. He also liked to watch sports on television.
Steve accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior in 1979 and started attending Kingsburg Bible Church in 1989. His life was a living testimony for our Lord through his words and actions. In church, he served as an Adult Sunday School teacher, Trustee and a leader in Awana Club. Steven also served as a board member at Bon Homme Christian School. He enjoyed visiting with people and always wanted to lend a helping hand.
Thankful for having shared his life are his wife, Sandi of Yankton; daughter, Tanya Johnson and husband, Jim of Yankton; son, Travis of Sioux Falls; parents-in-law, Charles and wife, Evelyn Beemer of Mitchell and Rita Holec and husband, Stanley of Wagner; a special cousin, Wallace Kreber and wife, Irene; and many other cousins and friends.
Stephen was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.
Funeral Mass for Donald Kuca, 79, of Dante is 10:30 a.m. Monday, September 16, 2013 at the Assumption Catholic Church in Dante. Burial is in St. John Catholic Cemetery, rural Wagner with military honors. Visitation is Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner. Rosary/Wake services are 7 p.m. Sunday at the church in Dante. In lieu of flowers, donations will be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Donald Martin Kuca was born February 20, 1934 at Wagner, South Dakota, the son of Raymond James and Caroline (Kostel) Kuca. He died Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall. Don attained the age of 79 years, six months and 22 days.
Don attended grade school at Lone Tree #56. He graduated from Wagner High School in 1952. Don served in the US Army from October of 1956 until he was honorably discharged in July of 1958, after serving as company clerk at Ft. Lewis, WA.
Don was united in marriage to Norma Jean Hall on June 11, 1956. Four children were born to their union. Norma died on January 28, 1987. Don married Elizabeth “Betty” Jane (Lokken) Moser on August 18, 1989.
Don’s first love was for God and his church, then his wives, children and grandchildren, then his farm, which he owned after being discharged from the Army. Farming was his life, he never wanted to do anything else.
Failing health caused Don to enter the Lake Andes Health Care Center in June of 2010 and he entered the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall on July 17, 2012.
Don was a lifetime member of the Assumption Church and a member of Assumption CCD Board, Knights of Columbus, FCSLA, Lone Tree #56 School Board, Elks, and the Dante Farmer’s Union Board of Directors.
Thankful for having shared his life are his wife Betty Kuca of Dante; sons: Donald R. and wife Melanie Kuca of Lincoln, NE; Mark and wife Jill Kuca of Brandon, SD; daughter Laura and husband Gordon Grimm of Tijeras, NM; step daughter, Robin and husband Lynn Taylor of Yankton; seven grandchildren; four step grandchildren; six great grandchildren; sister, Elaine Cihak of Dante; sister-in-law, Gaylene Kuca of Dante; and several nieces and nephews.
Don was preceded in death by his first wife, Norma; son, Terry; parents; twin sister, Doris Kuca; brother, Robert Kuca; brother-in-law, Donald Cihak; and nephew, Tim Cihak.
Timothy Lee “Tim” Kostal, age 44, of Sioux Falls, SD and formerly of Tyndall, SD, passed away unexpectedly from medical complications on Sunday, July 21, 2013 at his residence. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, July 27, 2013 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, SD with Rev. Dan Moris officiating. Burial of the cremated remains will be in the parish cemetery. Visitations will be one hour prior to the service at the church. The Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Tabor, is assisting with the service details.
Timothy was born on June 5, 1969 in Paso Robles, California to Margret Daniels and Richard Sebbo. Later Tim and his mother moved to Tyndall, South Dakota where he grew up and graduated from Bon Homme high school continuing his education at Mitchell Vo-tech. where he graduated with a degree in culinary.
He was a compassionate person who just wanted one thing out of life and that was to be loved. His compassionate nature shined thru in the relationships with his family and friends. During his journey, life took him from Tyndall to Mitchell then to Rapid City then finally to Sioux Falls where along the way met and made numerous friends.
Timothy interests were softball, golfing, bowling and a true die hard Dallas Cowboy fan. Tim’s other interest are writing and traveling his recent traveling adventures with family and friends took him to many NFL games, professional wrestling events and to the ocean in Florida.
Tim is survived by his dad George Kostal of Tyndall, Brother Jim (Jolene) Kostal also of Tyndall, Two sisters Larinda Kostal (Lee Alder) of Mitchell and Jessie Fischer (Kevin Pike) of Sioux Falls and six nieces and nephews. He was proceed in death by his mom Margret (Daniels) Kostal and his biological father Richard Sebbo.
William Joseph Kotalik, 80, of Tabor, died Tuesday (June 11, 2002) at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday, June 14, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Tabor with the Rev. William Osborn officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery with military graveside rites by the Kortan-Hatwan American Legion Post No. 183. Visitation will be 1-9 p.m. Thursday at the Kostel Funeral Home, Yankton, with a scripture service at 7:30 p.m. followed by a rosary. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Lunch will be held at the Kostel Funeral Home, Yankton immediately following the burial.
William Joseph was born on April 17, 1922, to Joseph and Hattie (Vanecek) Kotalik in rural Yankton County. He attended Elm Grove and Fairview Schools until the 8th grade. He married Frances Kubal on May 14, 1944, in Tabor. He served in the United States Army during WWII earning the Army of Occupation Medal in Japan, the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Service Award, the Victory Medal and a special citation for exemplary conduct. He developed mechanical proficiency in his upbringing later using those skills in the Army and throughout his life on his farm. He appreciated nature and never was one to use manufactured chemicals or sprays on his land. He was an accomplished craftsman in masonry, welding and woodworking. He was active in the restoration of Lakeport Church. His Czech ancestry and language was very important to him. He was a musician that played by ear and could play almost any instrument. He loved to collect and polish rocks, hunting, fishing and trapping. He and his brother operated a sawmill and also was employed at Morgen Manufacturing as a troubleshooter. He had a great love for his family and always loved to visit. He was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, School Board member, Kortan-Hatwan American Legion Post No. 183 in Tabor and the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post No. 791.
Survivors are his wife, Frances, Tabor; five sons and ten daughters: Bernard (Rose) Kotalik, Highlands, Texas; Joyce Kotalik, Yankton; Marvin Kotalik, Arcola, Mo.; Jerome Kotalik, Menno; Victoria Giedd, Tyndall; Rita (John) Breckenridge, Rapid City; Teresa (Bruce) Pieper, Yankton; Pamela (Rick) Stilwell, Weirton, W.V.; Mark (Fran) Kotalik, Loveland, Colo.; Holly (Tony) Schulz, Wall; Mary (Tony) Lonigro, San Antonio, Texas; Priscilla (Scott) Souhrada, Tabor; Christen (Nathan) Hamvas, Princeton, Minn.; Lisa (John) Brock, Bothell, Wash.; Kevin (Carol) Kotalik, Tripp; a brother Erwin (Grace) Kotalik, Yankton; five sisters: Hattie Walloch, Yankton; Delores Bohlman, Yankton; Viola (Pete) Petersen, Wash.; Dorothy (Joe) Drotzman, Wash.; Frances (Harold) Tacke, Yankton; 32 grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, a niece and a nephew.
Peter Kotalik, age 93, of Tabor, passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2009, at Avera Sunset Manor in Irene, SD.
A Memorial Service will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 2, 2009, at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton with Rev. Joe Puthenkulathil officiating. Burial of Peter’s cremated remains will be approximately at 1 p.m. in the St. Wenceslaus Cemetery, Tabor, SD. Visitations will begin at 10:30 a.m., Monday, and continue until the time of the service at the funeral home. Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Peter Kotalik was born on September 19, 1915, to John J. and Mary (Nutil) Kotalik two miles east of Tabor, SD. He attended rural school through the eighth grade. On February 2, 1942, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served 23 months in the South West Pacific in the operation and repair Unit 140. On November 14, 1944, he married Ann Becvar in Minneapolis, Minnesota where Peter was stationed. He was discharged on May 5, 1945. He returned to the farm where he was born and began his life long career of farming. He and his wife had three children: Daniel and his wife, Jeanette (Blaschke) Kotalik and their children, Mark and Lisa, all of Lesterville, daughter, Patricia Kotalik of Yankton, and Leonard Kotalik of rural Tabor. While in the Navy and on the farm, he was an avid carpenter very meticulous in his work. He enjoyed his family and his livestock namely raising cattle. He loved raising row crops, grain and hay.
He is survived by his wife, Ann Kotalik, his children, and one brother John (Dorothy) Kotalik of Coon Rapids, MN, and many many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Fred and Joseph.
Margaret Jean Kostal, 55, Tyndall, died Tuesday, April 20, 2004, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton.
A Mass of Christian Burial is at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 24, 2004, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, South Dakota, with the Msgr. Carlton Hermann officiating. Visitation is from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Friday, April 23, 2004, at the Goglin-Kelley Funeral Chapel, Tyndall, South Dakota, and one hour prior to the wake service at the church. Visitation will resume on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. at the church until the time of service. Wake Service is 8:00 p.m. Friday, April 23, 2004, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, South Dakota. Casketbearers are Chris Fitch, Richard Fitch, Jason Silvernail, Kevin Cuka, Brian Cuka and Gary Cuka. Interment is in St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery, Tabor, South Dakota.
Margaret Jean Kostal was born on December 24, 1948, in Glenwood, Minnesota, to Clifford Daniels and Rosalyn Souhrada. She graduated from Gayville High School and attended Mitchell Vo-Tech. Margaret married George B. Kostal on August 19, 1978, and they lived on a farm northeast of Tyndall. They had just celebrated 25 years of marriage this past August. Margaret was a housewife and homemaker, and for the last six years was employed at the First Bank Card Center in Yankton. Throughout her life, Margaret enjoyed shopping. She loved taking care of her children and grandchildren, and she always put other's needs first. She was involved in foster care and took care of many children.
Grateful for sharing her life are her husband, George B. Kostal of Tyndall; her two sons: Timothy Kostal of Sioux Falls; and Jim (Jolene) Kostal of Tyndall; her daughter: Larinda Kostal and fiancé Mike Garrett; and her daughter, Jessie Fischer of Volin; six grandchildren: Cameron, Carson, Krishana, Brianna, Kelsey and Brody; her parents, Rosalyn and David Souhrada of Lesterville; and Clifford and Gwen Daniels of Mission, Texas; two brothers: Dean (Donna) Daniels of Yankton; and Mike Daniels of Lesterville; three sisters: June (David) Fitch of Mission Hill; and Lauri (David) Leyden and Susan (Doug) Sherman, all of Yankton.
The memories we shared will never be forgotten. We love you!
Mary Grace (Hamilton) Koenig, 82, of Springfield passed away Sunday, September 23, 2007, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 29 at Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Springfield, SD with Rev. Ken Johnson officiating. Visitation will be Friday from noon until 6 p.m. at the funeral home.
Mary (Hamilton) Koenig was born December 14, 1924, in Sioux City, IA to Fredrick and Grace (O'Connor) Gagnon. She graduated from Leeds High School and married James J. Hamilton in June 1944. He died September 30, 1967. Mary married Charles Koenig of Springfield, SD in 1971. He died January 23, 2004.
Mary was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church while in Sioux City and Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Springfield. She was an accomplished seamstress.
Survivors include four daughters and their husbands: Mary and Jerry Forbes, Sioux City, IA; Beth and Phillip Musselwhite, St. Pauls, NC; Barb and Paul Anderson of Onawa, IA; Amy and Rev. Gerald Kapanka of Cedar Falls, IA; 17 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; two brothers and their wives: Kenneth and Agatha Gagnon of Sioux City, IA; Sylvester and Mary Jane Gagnon of Correctionville, IA; three sisters: Eva Meyer of Sioux City, IA; Georgianna and Al Huchnerhopf of Omaha, NE and Bernice and Duane Clifton of Westfield, IA; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; a son, James Michael Hamilton; two brothers: Thomas Gagnon and Fredrick Gagnon; and one sister, Ruth Gagnon.
Dorothy Ann Krcil, age 57, of Yankton, SD, died Saturday, July 26, 2008 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Yankton, SD, with Rev. Mark Lichter officiating. Burial will be approximately 1:00 PM, Wednesday afternoon at St. Leo’s Catholic Cemetery, Tyndall, SD. Visitations will be 1 to 9 PM at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton, with a rosary at 7:00 PM followed by a scripture service at 7:30 PM. Pallbearers will be Roger Sykora, Bob Rothschadl, Ed Humpal, Alvin Sternhagen, Bill Falor, Alan Braunesreither. Honorary Pallbearers are Alice Kozek, Nancy Logue, Donna Kaul, Donna Rothschadl, Janet Pesek, Lois Tjeerdsma, Val Fryda, and Kathy Hovacek.
Dorothy Ann Krcil was born January 27, 1951 to Thomas and Laverne Sykora in Yankton, SD. She grew up in the Scotland area and attended the Wysup rural grade school. She graduated from Scotland high school and Stewart Academy of Hairstyling. After graduation, she worked at the Tyndall nursing home for a short period and then became employed by Security State Bank. She worked there for 37 years until she was diagnosed with cancer. She was also a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton.
On August 31, 2008 she married Allen Krcil in Chamberlain, SD in the presence of her son Brian, his wife Brenda, and three stepdaughters Danielle, Alexandra, and Mikala. On October 24, 2003, she was blessed with a granddaughter, Josie, and on February 10, 2005, a grandson, Gus, which were her pride and joy. In addition to family, Marge Stoebner, and Mary Kreber were two special friends. She was a devoted wife and mother, and had a smile and helping hand for everybody. She enjoyed boating, fishing, and her kids activities.
Dorothy is survived by her husband Allen, Yankton, SD, son Brian and wife Brenda Slama of Rolfe, IA, stepdaughters Danielle and Alexandra Krcil, Sioux Falls, SD, Mikala Krcil, Mitchell, SD, her mother LuVurne* Sykora, Tyndall, SD, sister Elaine and husband Evan Williams, Clayton, CA. She was proceeded in death by her father, Thomas Sykora.
Note: Obvious error within obit showing death in July 2008 and marriage in August 2008, but I leave it here as I found it published.
Note: Name of mother is spelled as both Laverne and LuVurne within the original obituary.
John Frank Kortan, age 54, of Tyndall passed away Thursday (Jan. 24, 2002) at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 28, 2002, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, with Rev. William Osborn and Deacon David Kostel officiating. Private family interment of the cremated remains will be held at a later date. Pallbearers will be Bruce Kortan, Jack Kortan, Doug Kortan, Danny Kortan, Mark Kortan, and Roger Kortan. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ed Humpar, Jerry Herman, Dennis Herman, Ed Sykora, Joe Boska, and Ron Herman. Visitations will be 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27, 2002, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and will resume with a scripture service at 7:30 p.m. followed by a rosary. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.
John was born May 11, 1947, in Tabor, to John M. and Rose (Mudloff) Kortan. He attended rural grade school and graduated from Tyndall High School in 1965. He drove truck all his life for various trucking companies and farmed northeast of Tyndall. He loved animals, especially cattle and enjoyed taking care of them. John married Kathy Davenport on Nov. 9, 1968.
Those who cherish his memories are his daughters Michelle and Joanna both of Sioux Falls; three brothers: Robert (Loretta) Kortan, Tabor; Edward, Wichita, Kan., and Emanuel (Gail), Tabor; a sister-in-law, Marilyn Kortan, Yankton.
John was preceded in death by his parents John and Rose Kortan.
John C. Kocmich, 80, Avon, died Saturday (Aug. 23, 2003) at the Wagner Community Memorial Hospital, Wagner.
Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, Dante. Burial is in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, rural Dante, with military honors. Visitation is noon-5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Chapel, Avon. Rosary/wake services are at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the church in Dante.
He was born Oct. 30, 1922, on a farm near Dante to John and Caroline (Binder) Kocmich. He attended Lone Tree No. 1 Country School and Dante High School through ninth grade. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He married Leona Caldwell at the Assumption Catholic Church, Dante, on Sept. 12, 1949. They farmed in the Dante area until moving into Avon in 1989.
He was a member of the Assumption Catholic Church, Farmers Union in Dante, and a life member of Wagner VFW Post 7319. He will be remembered for his love of his children, grandchildren and the farm.
Survivors include his wife, Leona, Avon; his children: Kathleen (Ronnie) Woodward, Pisgah, Iowa; Mark (Tanya), Spearfish; Kevin, Tecumseh, Neb.; John G. (Lori), Dante; Lisa (Brent) Vaccaro, Omaha, Neb.; 10 grandchildren; three great-granddaughters; one brother: Edward J., Scotland; six sisters: Laura Streeter, McCook Lake; Adeline Garcia, San Francisco; Hattie Pudwill, Avon; Alvina Krcil, Dante; and Dorothy Pudwill and Mildred Roth, both of Avon; and many relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and five brothers-in-law.
Addie Emeline Kortan, 95, a 21-year resident of Gardnerville, died in Carson City on Dec. 27, 2008. Born Jan. 4, 1913, in Meridian, Miss., she married Mikel Kortan in 1945, and they eventually moved to California in 1955. Mrs. Kortan was a homemaker and worked at Mercy San Juan Hospital in Sacramento. She and her husband became residents of Gardnerville in 1988. She loved cooking, sewing, gardening, keeping up with current events and learning new things until she died. She was preceded in death by her husband Mikel in 2006; a brother, a daughter and a son.
Noel Kollars, age 77 of Tabor, SD, passed away at his residence early Tuesday, October 26, 2004.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 29, 2004, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, with Rev. Joe Puthenkulathil and Msgr. Carlton Hermann officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery at a later date. Visitations will be 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, at the Kostel Funeral Home, Tabor, with a Scripture service followed by a rosary at 7:30 p.m. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Noel was born July 18, 1927, at Crofton, NE to Martin and Anna (Kleinschimdt) Kollars. He attended country schools and attended St. Rose until the 8th grade and then graduated from Crofton High School in 1944. He farmed with his family until January of 1945. He entered the Army in 1946 where he worked in a dental clinic. After his discharge he farmed for a short time before moving to Lincoln, NE where he worked in appliance service and auto parts for three years. . He married Helen Estes on December 1, 1951 at Sacred Heart Church in Yankton, SD. He moved to California in July of 1955 and found work at Con Vair Aircraft until 1958. He then moved back to Yankton in 1958 and worked as a carpenter until farming again in 1964 until his retirement in 2004. He was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, and the Moose Lodge in Yankton, SD.
His memory is cherished by his wife Helen of Tabor, three sons Michael (Kathy) of McCook Lake, SD, Gregory of Bonesteel, SD, and John (Linda) of Bronson, IA; one daughter Mary Jo (Rockey) Waggoner of Yankton, SD. Ten grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Two brothers Glenn Kollars of Lincoln, NE and Aaron (Cathy) Kollars of Alamogordo, NM. Three sisters Marcella Eisenhauer of Hartington, NE, Cynthia Krzywicki of Chicago, IL, and Antoinette (Dick) Smith of Big Bear Lake, CA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, one infant daughter, one sister-in-law, and two brother-in-laws.
Memorials are directed to ALS Association Foundation; 27001 Agoura Rd.; Calabasas Hills, CA 91301.
Rose A. Kortan, 88, Tabor, died Monday (Oct. 22, 2001) at the Good Samaritan Center, Tyndall.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, with the Rev. William Osborn and Msgr. Carlton Hermann officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bruce Kortan, Dean Bardwell, Mark Kortan, Daniel Kortan, Jack Kortan, and Darrell Kortan. Visitations will begin at 5 p.m. today (Wednesday) at St. Wenceslaus Church with a scripture service at 7:30 p.m. followed by a rosary. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. The Kostel Funeral Home, Tabor, is in charge of arrangements.
She was born April 7, 1913, on her family farm near Tabor to Albert and Rose (Bloch) Mudloff. She grew up in the Tabor area. She married John M. Kortan Jan. 30, 1934, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and together farmed in the Tabor and Tyndall areas. They retired from farming and moved to Tabor in 1968. In April of 1989 she became a resident of the Good Samaritan Center of Tyndall. She was a member of St. Wenceslaus Church, altar and rosary society, and a 50-year member of the Catholic Workman.
She is survived by four sons: Edward, Wichita, Kan.; Bob (Loretta), Tabor; Emanuel (Gail), Tabor; and John (Kathy), Tyndall; 16 grandchildren; 33 great grandchildren; two step-great grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; one step-great-great granddaughter; and two sisters: Clara Croisettier, Nampa, Idaho, and Helen Rezac, Tabor.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers, one sister and two great granddaughters.
Funeral service for Helen Krug, 97 of Avon, will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at the Friedensberg Bible Church in rural Avon, with burial in the Evangelical Cemetery, rural Avon. Visitation will be Tuesday at 2:00 at the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall and then from 4-7 p.m. at the Crosby-Jaeger Chapel in Avon.
Helen Ruby (Walkes) Krug, daughter of John H. and Hulda A. (Voigt) Walkes, was born June 14, 1916 on the family farm southeast of Avon. She was the oldest of four children. The first year of grade school she attended Voigt Country School and then attended the Bangert Country School for seven years. Helen graduated from Avon High School in 1935. After high school, she was employed at F. Wiedenbach Mercantile Store in Avon and in later years, she worked at Lagendyk’s Variety Store.
Helen was a member of the Evangelical Church. She accepted Jesus Christ as a young girl under the ministry of Rev. Harry Kaias. She later transferred to the Friedensberg Bible Church. Helen was an active member of the church, serving as a pianist, Sunday School teacher, and a member of the Women in Mission group. Her faith in God never faltered.
Helen married Ben Krug on August 26, 1938. To this union one son, Clinton Lowell, was born on October 15, 1939. Clinton passed away on July 6, 1983. Ben and Helen farmed south of Avon and retired into Avon in the Fall of 1982. After a stroke, she entered the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall on August 2, 2006. Helen was always very grateful for the wonderful, compassionate care she received at the Good Samaritan Home. She went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, June 16, 2013 at the Good Samaritan Society.
Helen canned fruits and vegetables for the family to eat. She enjoyed music - if she was not playing the piano in church, she sang with her lovely alto voice. It was a pleasure for her to cook and entertain and she was a wonderful hostess. Helen had an incredible memory and was a loyal correspondent, remembering each and every birthday and anniversary with cards and notes.
Thankful for having shared her life are two sisters-in-law: Iola Walkes of Sioux Falls and Dorothy Walkes of Tyndall; many nieces, nephews, and great and great-great nieces and nephews; and special “family” members Terry and Monica Schultz and their family.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband Ben on February 1, 1995; her son Clinton in 1983; her parents; a sister, Iola Lindh; two brothers: Harold and Clayton Walkes; and her sister-in-law Florence Krug.
In lieu of flowers, Helen has requested that memorials be sent to the charity of your choice.
Michael J. Kokesh Sr., 79, of Wagner died Wednesday, October 20, 2004, at the Community Memorial Hospital in Wagner. Mike had attained the age of 79 years, 11 months and four days.
Funeral Mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 23, 2004, at St. John's Catholic Church in Wagner. Burial is in the parish cemetery, rural Wagner, with military honors. Rosary/Wake services will be 7 p.m. Friday at the church. Visitation will be Friday from noon until 5 p.m. at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner.
Michael James Kokesh was born November 16, 1924, the son of Mike and Carrie (Trantina) Kokesh on the farm southeast of Scotland, SD.
Mike attended country school near his family farm and helped with farm work. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from April 1945 until the war ended in December 1946. He served as an infantryman in Okinawa and also with the medics. Mike was awarded the Infantry Badge; Victory Medal; Army of Occupation Medal, Japan and the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal.
Mike was united in marriage to Florence Kostel on January 16, 1952, at Dante, SD. Six children were born to this union. Together they farmed southwest of Wagner for 28 years, before retiring to Wagner.
Mike was a member of the American Legion, Catholic Workmen and St. John's Catholic Church. He will be remembered for his love of spending time with his grandchildren, fishing, his love of going to auction sales, farming and his sense of humor.
Thankful for having shared his life are his wife of 52 years, Florence, of Wagner; two sons: Ron (Chris) Kokesh and Mike, Jr. (Jan) Kokesh, all of Wagner; son-in-law, Russell Rasmussen, of Sioux City; three daughters: Connie (John) Dusek, Karen (Darrell) Lich, and Lori (and special friends, Bryan and Kurt) Teets, all of Rapid City; 15 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brother, Edward (Agnes) Kokesh, of Wagner and sister, Sylvia Dvorak, of Scotland.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Kathy Rasmussen; granddaughter, Rachel Kokesh; five brothers: Donald, Joseph, Clayton, Raymond and Ernest Kokesh; three sisters: Elsie Cap, Grace Hacecky and Frances Thunker.
Ernest Kokesh, 89, Mitchell, died Tuesday (Aug. 12, 2003) at the Firesteel Healthcare Center.
Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Will Funeral Chapel, Mitchell. Burial is in the Sunset Memorial Cemetery, Mitchell, with military rites. Visitation is from 6-8 p.m. today (Friday) at the funeral chapel.
He was born July 28, 1914, to Mathias "Mike" and Carrie (Trantina) Kokesh on the family farm southeast of Scotland. He attended Klinkner country school near his family farm. After his years in school, he helped with the farming at home and did blacksmithing at Mueller's in Scotland.
He served in the U.S. Army during WW II from 1942-45 and served in the Aleutian Islands. After the service, he helped with the farm at home for one year. He and his brother, Raymond then rented a farm southwest of Delmont for two years. His brother married so Ernie bought a farm north of Delmont. He married Norma Foster from Fulton on Aug. 18, 1958, in the Methodist Church at Wagner. They later moved to a farm southwest of Delmont where he lived until he retired in 1976 and moved to Mitchell. For a number of years, he rebuilt player pianos and fixed clocks.
He is survived by his wife, Norma, Mitchell; two brothers: Mike (Florence) and Edward (Agnes), all of Wagner; two sisters: Sylvia Dvorak, Scotland; and Frances Thunker, Crofton, Neb.
He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, two sisters and four brothers-in-law.
Edward Kokesh, 76 of Wagner died Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at his home after a long battle with cancer, surrounded by his family. Ed had been under hospice care. He attained the age of 76 years, eight months and 27 days.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 1, 2010 at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Lake Andes. Burial will be in St. John's Catholic Cemetery, rural Wagner, with military honors. Visitation will be 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner, followed by a 7 p.m. rosary/wake service at the church.
Edward Kokesh, son of Mike J. and Caroline (Trantina) Kokesh, was born July 31, 1933 on a farm near Scotland, SD.
Ed attended country school near Scotland through the eighth grade. He enlisted in the US Army and served as a SP3 Sergeant in the Korean War from 1954 to 1957.
Ed married Agnes Stastny on April 29, 1957 at Wagner. Six children were blessed to their union. They farmed south of Wagner.
Ed was a life member of VFW and the American Legion. He was named the District Legionnaire of the Year in 2008. Ed drove the D.A.V. Van for over 10 years.
Ed enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, playing cards, fishing, building windmills, and raising “Grandpa’s Pumpkin Patch.”
Thankful for having shared his life are his wife Agnes of Wagner; five children: Deborah and husband Michael Fredrich of Rapid City; Daniel and wife Andrea of Wagner; Donna Livingston and fiancé Ray Wagner of Yankton; Dale and wife Tanya of Rapid City; and Dorothy and husband Brian Welbig of Sioux Falls; 18 grandchildren: Amy (Steve) Thomas, Stacie, Scott and Jason Fredrich; Curtis Kokesh; Jessica and Brittany Livingston; Samantha, Cameron and Jordyn Kokesh; and Amanda, Brandon, Drew, Alex, Jacob, Derek, Nathan and Tyler Welbig; one great grandson, Preston Thomas; one sister, Sylvia Dvorak of Scotland; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Ed was preceded in death by his daughter, Doris in November of 1974; parents; six brothers: Ernest, Raymond, Donald, Mike, Joe and Clayton; and three sisters: Elsie Cap, Grace Hacecky and Frances Thurker.
Mass of Christian Burial for Rose I. Kocer will be held Tuesday, November 2 at 10:30 a.m. at St. George Catholic Church in Scotland with Fr. Leonard Kayser officiating. Organist is Georgianne Pravecek. Committal rites will be held at 1 p.m. at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery in Tabor. Casketbearers are Larry Kocer, Kevin Kocer, Adam Kocer, Ernie Merkwan, Dennis Kalda and William Cap. Arrangements are under the direction of Goglin Funeral Home of Scotland.
Rose “Rosie” Irene Kocer was born on the family farm north of Tabor on Sunday, December 20, 1924, to Joseph and Jennie (Herman) Grail. She died on Saturday, October 30, 2010 at the Good Samaritan Society of Scotland at the age of 85 years, 10 months, and 10 days, the day before the anniversary of her wedding. She grew up in the Tabor area attending Grail school and graduating from the eighth grade. On October 31, 1949, she married Joe Kocer and they had three sons. After a few years living on a farm northwest of Tabor, they moved to Scotland around 1955. Rose had various jobs including cleaning homes for many of the people of Scotland and some of the businesses. She also worked for her church, St. George’s of Scotland, cleaning the rectory and church for many years. She worked very hard most of her life. Her husband, Joe, passed away on December 18, 1993. She was a resident of the Scotland Good Samaritan Home since April of 2006.
Her name was Rose, and like the flower she was a beautiful person having a terrific smile. But just like a rose, her life had thorns with some disabilities along the way. She lost her hearing around the age of 45 and suffered with rheumatoid arthritis for over fifteen years. She loved her grandchildren dearly and will be remembered for all the special holidays, especially the great Easter egg hunts, she planned for them.
She is survived by her sons: James (Janice) of Scotland and Laddie (Lynne) of Gering, Nebraska; six grandchildren: Krista (Nathan) Welch of Sioux Falls, Kevin (Naomi) Kocer of Vermillion, Kari Kocer of Sioux Falls, Laurie (Clint) Davis of Granger, Iowa, Sara Kocer of Omaha, Nebraska, and Adam Kocer of Lincoln, Nebraska; three great grandchildren: Aiden Uhl and Mya Welch both of Sioux Falls and McKinlee Davis of Granger, Iowa; two sisters and one brother: Jennie Merkwan, Lillian Cap, and Edward Grail all of Tabor; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; infant son Tom; sisters: Mamie Grail, Helen Cap, Anna Cap, Stella Kalda, Agnes Fitch; brothers: Joseph, John, and Emil.
Eugene Leo Koenig, 86, Tyndall, died Friday (Jan. 23, 2004) at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton.
Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. today (Monday) at St. Leo's Catholic Church, Tyndall, with the Revs. Gerald Thury and John Rasmussen officiating. Burial is in St. Leo's Catholic Cemetery, Tyndall, with military rites by Tyndall American Legion Pike-Wagner Post No. 2. Pallbearers are Bryant Burke, Marvin Girton, Dale Hebda, Larry Hosek, Donald Kuca and Elmer Osterdyk. Goglin-Kelley Funeral Home, Tyndall, is in charge of arrangements.
Eugene was born to Emil and Mary (Kostel) Koenig on Dec. 9, 1917, on the family farm five miles south of Tyndall. He grew up in Tyndall and was very active in football, track and basketball. Upon graduating from Tyndall High School in 1937, he lived in Dante, where he worked and cared for his grandmother, Frances Kostel. On May 5, 1942, he entered active duty with the U. S. Army until his discharge on Jan. 6, 1946. He returned to Tyndall and married Agnes Hosek on June 23, 1947, at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Geddes. Eugene and Agnes had a double wedding ceremony shared with one of Agnes' brothers, James Hosek and Elizabeth Gau. Eugene and Agnes made their home in Tyndall, where he worked at the Kostel Furniture Store and Kostel Funeral Home. In 1955, Eugene and Agnes purchased the Schmit Insurance Agency. He owned the Koenig Agency until he semi-retired in 1980, when his son James took over the business and continues as owner and manager.
Eugene loved his family, his church and his community, and participated enthusiastically in all. He was a faithful member of St. Leo's Catholic Church and was a Grand Knight in the Bon Homme Council Knights of Columbus No. 4002. He was active in the American Legion and was serving his 50th year as treasurer of Pike-Wagner Post No. 2. He was an active member and past president of the Tyndall Chamber of Commerce.
Survivors include his wife, Agnes, Tyndall; two sons: James Eugene (Kathleen) Koenig, Tyndall, and Thomas Raymond (Shelly) Koenig, Herndon, Va., five grandchildren; and one sister, Frances Osterdyk, Jasper, Mo.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and a half-brother.
Mass of Christian Burial for Agnes M. Koenig of Tyndall will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 12 at St. Leo Catholic Church in Tyndall with Fr. Gerald Thury as Celebrant. Organist will be Marcene Kniffen. Interment will follow in St. Leo Catholic Cemetery, Tyndall. Casketbearers will be Kevin Koenig, Jadon Koenig, Bill Kingsbury, Dave Hosek, Larry Hosek and Lyle Hosek. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 11 from 3-5 p.m. at the Goglin Funeral Home in Tyndall. There will be a scriptural wake service, also on Tuesday, June 11, at 7 p.m. at the church.
Agnes May Koenig was born Wednesday, October 25, 1922 at Academy, SD. She was raised on a farm near Bijou Hills, located between Platte and Chamberlain. Agnes was the eighth of nine children born to Anton and Mary (Kott) Hosek. She grew up on the family farm through the Great Depression. After losing her father when she was eight years old, she and her remaining three sisters and four brothers assisted their mother in scratching out a living during those very dry and dirty 30’s. Agnes moved to Philip where she stayed with her oldest brother and attended Philip High School. She worked in Platte, Wagner and Geddes before marrying Eugene Koenig in 1947 and moved to Tyndall. Eugene and Agnes lived in Tyndall where they owned the Koenig Insurance Agency for over 30 years. They raised their two sons in Tyndall and remained in Tyndall until the death of Eugene in 2004. Agnes moved to the Springfield Assisted Living facility in 2007 and then to the Good Samaritan Society of Tyndall, where she lived until her death on Saturday, May 29, 2013, having achieved the age of 90 years, 7 months and 4 days.
Family was always very important to Agnes. Highlights of Hosek family picnics and Christmas dinners centered around Agnes, her five brothers and three sisters and all of their children. With a house of over 30 people, there was always room for one more person to celebrate the season with the Hoseks. Agnes was a member of the St. Michael’s Hospital Auxiliary, the American Legion Auxiliary, and St. Leo’s Altar Society. Agnes loved music, dancing, flowers, and baking. Agnes could be seen walking around Tyndall well into her 80’s. She loved to walk ever since she was a little girl and had to walk over a mile to and from school. Like Eugene, Agnes loved her grandchildren — her pride and joy — and always had time to talk to them.
Agnes’ surviving family is comprised of her two sons: James (Kathleen) Koenig of Tyndall and their children Carolyn (Michael) Gleason, Kevin (Marichu) Koenig and Maureen (James) McFarlane and son Tom (Shelly) Koenig of Herndon, Virginia and their children Samantha and Jadon. Agnes has three great-grandchildren and a surviving brother, Herman Hosek.
Agnes is preceded in death by her husband, Eugene; her parents, Anton and Mary Hosek; her brothers: William, Alvin, Ben and James; and her sisters: Rose, Clara, and Grace.
Wayne Kitchin, Tyndall, SD, died November 14, 2006, in Tyndall, SD. He was 52.
Wayne William Kitchin, known as “Billy” to his family, was born on November 1, 1954, in Langdon, ND, to Merle and Sylvina Kitchin. He moved to Fargo, ND with his family in 1967, and graduated from Fargo High School in 1973. Wayne moved to Seattle, Washington in 1974 with his family. He was employed with Boeing. For a period of time, he lived in Spanaway, WA. Affectionately known as “Cowboy” in Washington and “Wooky” in South Dakota, Wayne was never too far away from his trademark cowboy boots and hat.
He moved to Tyndall, SD in 2001. He was currently employed as a welder at Wildcat Manufacturing in Freeman, SD.
Wayne was an excellent musician. For a period of time he played guitar and sang in a band called Borderline Express in Washington. He also enjoyed playing cards. While living in South Dakota, Wayne enjoyed helping friends with farm work. A talented mechanic, he liked restoring old cars. Wayne was a 30 year member the Eagles.
Grateful for having shared his life are his mother, Sylvina Kitchin , Burien, WA; brothers, Dennis Kitchin , Marysville, WA, Glen Kitchin, Issaquah, WA; sisters, Sylvia Thompson, Burien, WA, Diane Croaker, Billings, MT, Karen Cole, Burien, WA; 19 nieces and nephews, and 27 great nieces and nephews.
Helen M. Kollars, 80, of Yankton passed away Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD from complications of Diabetes.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 10, 2013 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, with Rev. Ken Lulf officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitations will begin at 5 p.m., Thursday, at the Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Tabor, with a wake service at 7 p.m. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the chapel. Pallbearers are Jason Kollars, Chris Kollars, Dustin Kollars, Moses Waggoner, Keannan Simpson, Jared Zach, and Howard Waggoner.
Helen was born August 21, 1932 to Charles & Francis (Brinda) Estes. She grew up on the ranches near Valentine, NE. After graduating high school, she went to business school in Lincoln, NE where she worked in a government office. She was at a New Year’s Eve dance where she met the man she was to marry. On December 1, 1951 she married Noel Kollars at Sacred Heart Church in Yankton. They moved to California in 1955, then back to South Dakota in 1958. She helped on the farm until she went to work at Gurney’s in the mid 1970’s and worked there until she retired. After retirement she and Noel enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren. Helen will be remembered for her wonderful meals, her love of cards, and her gentle humor. She loved to collect cookbooks, the color blue, and cooking and baking for her family.
Grateful to have shared her life are her children: Mike (Kathy) Kollars of McCook Lake, SD, Greg Kollars of Williston, ND, Mary Jo (Rockey) Waggoner of Yankton, SD, and John (Linda) Kollars of Bronson, IA; ten grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Noel Kollars, her parents, four brothers, and one infant daughter.
The family requests memorials be directed to American Diabetes Association, Omaha Office, 14216 Dayton Circle, Suite 6, Omaha, NE 68137.
Charles Koenig, 68, Springfield, died Friday (Jan. 23, 2004) at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton.
Funeral services are 1 p.m. Monday at Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home, Springfield. Burial is in the Springfield Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m. Sunday and from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Charles was born Sept. 13, 1935, at Parkston to Leo and Joyce M. (Adkins) Koenig. He graduated from Ethan High School. He worked as the Chief of Police in Springfield from 1962-1971, then at the University of South Dakota-Springfield for five years. He married Mary G. Hamilton June 5, 1970, in Sioux City, Iowa.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, Springfield; four daughters: Mary (Jerry) Forbes, Sioux City; Beth (Phillip) Musselwhite, St. Pauls, N.C.; Barb (Paul) Anderson, Onowa, Iowa; and Amy (Jerry) Kapanka, Waterloo, Iowa; one son, James (Cheryl) Hamilton, Casper, Wyo.; and many grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded by his parents.
Hattie Kotalik, 102, Yankton, passed away Friday (Feb. 9, 2001) at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton.
Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb.13, 2001, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Yankton, with the Rev. DeWayne Kayser officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Pallbearers are Jerry Kotalik, Kevin Kotalik, Tim Kotalik, Joe Kotalik, Brian Bohlmann, Richard Walloch, Mark Tacke and Dan Tacke. Honorary pallbearers will be the grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Visitation is from 1-9 p.m. today (Monday) Feb. 12, 2001, at the Kostel Funeral Home, Yankton, with a 7 p.m. rosary followed by a 7:30 p.m. Scripture service.
Hattie, whose life spanned three centuries, was born on May 25, 1898, in Tabor to John and Rose (Kocourek) Vanecek; a family firmly entrenched in the Czech heritage. She married Joseph W. Kotalik on June 17, 1917. They farmed in the Tabor-Yankton area. In the 1960s, they moved to Yankton. Joseph passed away in 1964. Together they raised a family of 10 children, seven of whom are still living.
Hattie was a mother and homemaker. She belonged to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Altar Society, Yankton, and the Legion of Mary. For 40 years or so she did volunteer work, praying the rosary with the elderly in nursing homes. She also made many rosaries.
One of her favorite hobbies was crocheting. She did much gardening and canning. She enjoyed growing flowers. Her favorite was the yellow rose and she always made sure she planted snapdragons. These flowers she had fun explaining to children — especially her grandchildren — that the flowers had little mouths.
Hattie is a survivor of the great depression. She never learned to drive a car, but could harness and drive horses. Hattie was the last of the Vanecek family, which included six brothers and three sisters.
She is survived by two sons: William (Frances) Kotalik, Tabor; Erwin (Grace) Kotalik, Yankton; five daughters: Frances (Harold) Tacke, Yankton; Viola (Jim) Peterson, Kalama, Wash.; Hattie (Lawrence) Walloch, Yankton; Dorothy (Joe) Drotzmann, Yakima, Wash.; Delores (Robert) Bohlmann, Yankton; 52 grandchildren; 60 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe, her parents, three sons: Donald, Joe and Adolph; six brothers: John, Mike, Ed, Jim, William and an infant brother; and two sisters: Francis and an infant sister.
Adolph J. Kortan, age 86 of Tabor passed away on Saturday, December 23, 2006 at the Tyndall Good Samaritan Center, Tyndall, SD.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 27, 2006 at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Tabor, SD with Rev. Joe Puthenkulathil officiating. Burial will be in the St. Wenceslaus Cemetery. Visitations will be from 3-9 p.m. Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at the Kostel Funeral Home in Tabor with a 7:00 p.m. rosary and Scripture service. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the funeral home in Tabor. Pallbearers will be Bob Kortan, Rodney Pechous, Ron Herman, Dan Bouza, Roger Dvoracek, and Jim Christopher.
Adolph was born on February 11, 1920 on a farm near Tabor, SD to Frank and Katherine (Hale) Kortan. He married Angeline Becvar in Tabor, SD on October 21, 1942. They farmed near Tabor until 1975, when they moved into town. He worked as a bartender for Emil's Bar and Czech Inn. He was also a member of the Catholic Workman and St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church.
His memory will be cherished by his wife Angeline of Tabor, SD; two sisters: Clara Hlavac of Tabor, SD and Martha (George) Melichar of Tabor, SD: two sisters-in-law, Marcella Kortan of Springfield, SD and Eileen Kortan of Yankton, SD, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers: John, Albert, Joe, and Dorance "Bud" Kortan; five sisters: Mary Souhrada, Albina Wurtz, Adeline Pechous, Anna Dvoracek, and Ludmila in infancy.
Steven Lawrence Kortan, age 80, of Yankton, passed away Sunday, July 20, 2003, at the Tyndall Good Samaritan Center in Tyndall, S.D.
A private family memorial service will be held. Kostel Funeral Home, Yankton, is in charge of arrangements.
Steve L. Kortan was born on Feb. 9, 1923, to John and Christina (Becvar) Kortan of rural Utica, S.D. He served in the United States Army Medical Corps. He farmed near Utica following his discharge until the late 1960s. He then worked as a South Dakota State Motor Carrier Port Inspector until he retired.
Steve is survived by his wife, Delores of Yankton, S.D.; three sons: Daniel (Lynette) of Billings, Mont.; Gary of Yankton, S.D.; and Tim (Juvy) of Sioux Falls, S.D.; two grandchildren; one sister, Mildred (Emmanuel) Cimpl of Columbus, Neb.; and one brother, Mike of Gardner, Nev.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers: Dan and Laddie.
Mass of Christian Burial for Evelyn Kvasnicka of Yankton will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 2 at St. George Catholic Church in Scotland with Fr. Mathew Vazhappilly as Celebrant. Interment will follow in St. George Catholic Cemetery, Scotland. Visitation will be held in Tyndall at the Goglin Funeral Home from 5-8 p.m. on Sunday, March 31. There will be a liturgical wake service on Monday evening, April 1, at 7:30 p.m. at St. George Catholic Church in Scotland. Visitation will continue one hour prior to both the wake service and the funeral Mass.
Evelyn Amelia (Wagner) Kvasnicka was born January 18, 1917, to Maurice and Amelia (Skorepa) Wagner on the Wagner Homestead south of Lesterville. In the spring of 1919, her family moved to their new farm one mile northeast of Tyndall. Evelyn attended rural school and graduated from Tyndall High School in 1935. Evelyn married Frank P. Kvasnicka, Jr. on June 26, 1939. Frank and Evelyn farmed the Kvasnicka family farm south of Tripp raising their three children – Charles, Eugene and Elaine. Evelyn was devoted to her children and was very proud of them. Frank and Evelyn retired from farming in the early 70’s. They remained on the family farm until the fall of 1997. They then lived in the Lidi Apartments in Tyndall until October 2003. Frank & Evelyn moved to Sister James Care Center in Yankton. Frank passed away in June 2009. Evelyn received excellent, loving, care and friendship from the wonderful staff of Majestic Bluffs right up until the time of her death.
Evelyn was a life member of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Vodnany where she was a member of the Vodnany Altar Society. Evelyn loved being a farm wife and worked hard on the Kvasnicka family farm. Evelyn was always quick to offer friends and neighbors a helping hand or offer homemade food when they were in need. She loved raising ducks, geese, chickens and turkeys and many became pets. Evelyn’s many hobbies included sewing, embroidering, crocheting, and quilting. Evelyn loved gardening and then canning what she raised for the winter. Her love of flowers was evident with all the blooming flowers around their home. From the age of 14 years, Evelyn always had geraniums blooming year around inside and outside her home until her death. Cooking and baking was another of Evelyn’s many excellent talents. Family and friends were privileged to enjoy her made from scratch wonderful meals. Whenever anyone stopped in, they were always treated to a meal or a “lunch.” Evelyn was noted for her excellent baking but most of all for her Kolaches and cinnamon rolls. Her children and grandchildren will always cherish those memories of all the freshly baked rolls she made especially for them. Evelyn loved and enjoyed her grandchildren along with her “additional grandchildren,” the Sedlaceks. All her grandchildren have wonderful memories of the times spent on the farm with their grandparents, experiencing new adventures and fun things to do. Evelyn loved to write letters to keep in touch with her family and friends right up until the end with cards, letters, and gifts for birthdays, Christmas and special events. As a resident of Sister James, Evelyn enjoyed the many friendships she made and the many activities of crafts, baking, sharing her recipes, playing cards and most of all “bingo.”
Favorite pastimes of Frank and Evelyn were frequent trips to “The Hill,” Ft. Randall Casino, where they made new friends and visited with their friends and neighbors while there. Evelyn and Frank enjoyed many trips with Eugene through the years touring South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Iowa. They also enjoyed traveling to many states and sight-seeing as they visited with their son, Charlie, and his family in Pocatello, ID and their daughter, Elaine, and her family in Chicago, IL, Jackson, MI, and Winona, MN. Unfortunately they were unable to visit the Southwest where Elaine now lives. Evelyn passed on quietly and peacefully and into the arms of Our Heavenly Father surrounded by her family and friends that went before her on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at Majestic Bluffs in Yankton at the age of 96. Evelyn is at peace now and forever.
Eternally blessed for sharing her life with her love and memories are her children: Eugene F. Kvasnicka and Mary Kay Rokusek, both of Yankton and Elaine (Patrick) Soukup of Gilbert, Arizona; her four grandchildren: John (Amy) Soukup of Peoria, Arizona, Paul Soukup of Winona, Minnesota, David Kvasnicka of Pocatello, Idaho, and Laurie (Brett) Struchen of Chubbic, Idaho; two great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson; her brother, Bernie Wagner of Yankton; a sister-in-law, Lorraine Martz of Wakonda; eight nieces and nephews; and one special feathered friend, “Fred,” also survives Evelyn.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Frank; her son, Charlie P. Kvasnicka of Pocatello, Idaho in 2002; her parents, Maurice and Amelia Wagner; her brothers, Clarence and Emil; her sister, Lorraine; and one great-great-grandchild. Evelyn was the last survivor of Frank and Evelyn’s lifelong group of close friends.
Rose Koletzky, 90, Tabor, died Saturday (Oct. 27, 2001) at the Good Samaritan Center, Tyndall.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Ray, Cantrell & Wintz Funeral Home, Yankton, with the Msgr. Carlton Hermann officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery, Yankton. Visitation will be held from 1-9 p.m. today (Monday) at the funeral home with a Scripture service at 7 p.m.
She was born April 20, 1911, on a farm west of Tabor to James and Katherine (Hlavac) Pechous. She attended rural school at Valsak School. On Feb. 27, 1935, she married Gordon Koletzky in the Presbyterian Church west of Tabor. They farmed south of Tabor. In 1997, she moved to the Good Samaritan Center at Tyndall.
She was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and ZCBJ Lodge, both at Tabor, and Women of the Moose and VFW Auxiliary, both at Yankton.
Survivors include her husband, Gordon; one son, Robert (Carole) Koletzky, Yankton; one daughter-in-law, Helen Koletzky, Yankton; six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; one sister, Evelyn Nohava, Tyndall; and seven brothers: Emil Pechous, Sanford Pechous and Donald Pechous, all of Yankton; Leo Pechous and Laddie Pechous, both of Tabor; Lawrence Pechous, Omaha, Neb.; and Ray Pechous, Black Hawk.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one son, one sister and one brother.
John R. "Jack" Kreber of Tabor died on Monday, September 6, 2004, at the Heart Hospital of South Dakota in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 71 years.
Visitation is from 9:00 a.m. until time of service Friday, September 10, 2004, at St. Leo's Catholic Church, Tyndall, South Dakota. Mass of Christian Burial is 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 10, 2004, at St. Leo's Catholic Church, Tyndall, South Dakota, with Rev. Fr. Gerald Thury officiating. Honorary Casketbearers are Knights of Columbus Council #4002 and Tabor Blue Birds. Casketbearers are Joe Sokolowski, Gary Dvoracek, Dr. James Torsney, John Kyle Kreber, Justin Kreber, Derrik Dvoracek, Donley Dvoracek and Daniel Sokolowski. Interment is at St. Leo's Catholic Cemetery, Tyndall, South Dakota.
John Raymond "Jack" Kreber was born on June 19, 1933, in Bon Homme County on the family farm southeast of Tyndall. He was the sixth of eight children born to Lawrence and Gladys (Ball) Kreber. He attended grade school at the Highland and McCrea Country Schools and graduated from Tyndall High School in 1951. Jack worked on road construction until 1958, and then returned to operate the family farm until retiring in 1992. He married Beverly Papik on August 15, 1959, at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Tyndall. During his farming years, Jack also worked at the Tabor-Lesterville Co-op and did custom combining, in the south and locally. He was a member of St. Leo's Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and the Tabor Rural Fire Department. Jack served on the board of directors for the Farmer's Union Co-op in Tyndall, the Tabor Lumber Co-op, the Bon Homme Cemetery Board, and was state representative for the Bon Homme Irrigators. He was an avid Tabor BlueBird fan and seldom missed a game.
Jack's memory will be cherished by his wife, Beverly of rural Tabor; daughter Debbie (Joe) Sokolowski of Wakonda; son John (Kim) Kreber of Dakota Valley; Michelle (Gary) Dvoracek of Springfield; son Charles Kreber, stationed in Germany; son Jeff (Amy) Kreber of Springfield; and daughter Jennifer (James) Torsney of Tyndall; 13 grandchildren: Katie, Daniel, Lauren, Andrea, Brendan and Shannon Sokolowski; Kyle, Justin and Brianne Kreber; McKenzie, Derrik and Garrett Dvoracek; and Isabella Kreber; three sisters: Winnifred Peterson of Mitchell; Shirley (Rod) Fry of Texas; and Carol (Dick) Ferguson of Tyndall; and two brothers: James (Pat) Kreber of North Carolina and Jerry (Carol) Kreber of Springfield.
He was preceded in death by his son, Brian Kreber; his parents; his brother, Larry Kreber; and his sister, Jeanne Wysuph Wortmann.
Goglin-Kelley Funeral Home in Tyndall is in charge of arrangements.
Alice May Kozak, 92, Tyndall, died Thursday (Feb. 15, 2001) at the Tripp Good Samaritan Center.
A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Ray, Cantrell & Wintz Funeral Home, Yankton, with Rev. Nelson C. Stone officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery, Yankton. Pallbearers are Marvin Mann, Terry Mann, James Mann, Carl Nelson, Gary Kozak and Randy Kozak. Visitation will be 1-9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with the family present from 7-8 p.m.
She was born Nov. 14, 1908, at Yankton to Andrew and Minnie (Kendall) Sparks. She grew up on a farm near Yankton and attended rural school at Persian School. On Aug. 26, 1926, she married Joseph K. Kozak in Yankton. They lived at Yankton, Utica and Lesterville. They later returned to Yankton and then moved to Janousek. Following her husband's death on Oct. 17, 1992, she moved to Tyndall. She worked at Mickelson Nursing Home and Sacred Heart Hospital.
She loved raising chickens and kittens.
Survivors include her son, Edison (Garnet) Kozak, Centerville, Iowa; daughters: Clara Bambas, Tyndall; and Patty (Alvin) Sudbeck, Wynot, Neb.; 21 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and sisters: Deloris Wagner, Freeman; and Agnes Sparks, Lincoln, Neb.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, daughter, five brothers and four sisters.
Mass of Christian Burial for Clement J. Kloucek will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 28, 2005 at St. George Catholic Church, Scotland, South Dakota. Celebrants will be Msgr. Carlton Hermann and Rev. Fr. Mathew Vazhappilly. Honorary Casketbearers will be Tanner VanAsselt, Derek VanAsselt, Melissa Kinney and all of Clem's friends and relatives. Casketbearers will be Becky Uhrich, Dennis Streyle Jr., Heidi Streyle, Scott Streyle, Austin VanAsselt and Alex VanAsselt. Interment will be in St. George Catholic Cemetery, Scotland, South Dakota. Visitation will be 3:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 27, 2005 at the Goglin-Kelley Funeral Home, Scotland, South Dakota. Wake Service will be 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 27, 2005 at St. George Catholic Church, Scotland, South Dakota.
Clement J. Kloucek was born on December 23, 1924 to Frank and Anna (Pitzenburger) Kloucek of rural Scotland. He graduated from Scotland High School in 1942. He started farming right away after high school with his brother Robert and they farmed for many years. Clem was united in marriage to Mary Ann Berndt on November 23, 1953 in Tyndall. In the early 1980s, Clem and his family moved into Scotland. While living in Scotland, he served as mayor for several years. Clem's life was spent flying, riding horse, driving semi, camping, traveling, fishing, driving school bus and spending time with his family. He was proud of his Farmall tractor. There were also numerous years of having coffee hour, playing cards and visiting with all of his friends.
He was a member of the Scotland Saddle Club. Clem had many accomplishments and one that his family is very proud of was his starting cooperatives in Tyndall, Tabor and Scotland. He also was a leader in the start of the B-Y Water District and has been on the board since it was started. He was inducted into the South Dakota Farmer's Union Cooperative Hall of Fame. Clem helped organize the Bon Homme County Livestock Feeders. He died on December 24, 2005 at Landmann-Jungman Memorial Hospital in Scotland at the age of 81 years.
Clem is survived by his wife, Mary Ann and their three daughters: Carol (Dennis) Streyle of Tripp, South Dakota, Ann (Peter) Kinney of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and Darla (Tom) VanAsselt of Colton, South Dakota; nine grandchildren: Becky Uhrich and her friend, Mike Gause, Dennis Streyle, Jr., Heidi Streyle, Scott Streyle, Melissa Kinney, Austin Van Asselt, Alex VanAsselt, Tanner VanAsselt, and Derek VanAsselt; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
His parents, two infant sons, a brother, a sister and a great-granddaughter preceded him in death.
Joseph Allen Kloucek, age 21, of Tabor, passed away early Friday morning, April 4, 2003, as a result of an automobile accident.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 7, 2003, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Tabor, S.D., with the Rev. William Osborn and Msgr. Carlton Hermann officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Pallbearers will be Corey Sestak, Justin Wagner, Peter Storgaard, Casey Schieffer, Chad Hovorka, Chris Schieffer, Todd Dvoracek, Keith Dvoracek, Josh Pesek and Carson Merkwan. Honorary pallbearers will be the Class of "2000" of Bon Homme High School. Visitation will be Sunday, April 6, 2003, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church with a Scripture service at 7:30 p.m. followed by a rosary. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. The Kostel Funeral Home of Tabor is in charge of arrangements.
Joseph was born Jan. 10, 1982, in Tyndall, S.D., to David and Carol (Ausdemore) Kloucek and grew up on the family farm north of Tabor. He attended grade school at Tabor Elementary and graduated from Bon Homme High School in 2000. Joe was currently attending Southeast Tech in Sioux Falls, S.D., and employed with GeoTek Engineering and Testing Services, Inc. in Sioux Falls, S.D. He was to be graduating in May with a degree in Technical Engineering and had just accepted a summer job with Eisenbraun & Associates in Yankton.
Proud and honored to have shared his life are his parents and little sister Megan of Tabor, S.D. He is also survived by his grandmothers: Ann Kloucek of Tabor, S.D., and Lorene Ausdemore of Crofton, Neb.; step-sister, Kerri (Dustin) Konechne of Yankton; and step-brother, Kent (Sandi) Kool of Lincoln, Neb., many aunts, uncles and cousins and all of his dear friends.
He was preceded in death by a brother, David Jr.; grandfather, Thomas Kloucek; and grandfather, Bernard Ausdemore.
Hermina Kloucek, age 87, of Tyndall, SD and formerly of Tabor, SD passed away, Friday, May 26, 2006 at the Tyndall Good Samaritan Center, Tyndall, SD.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 30, 2006 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor with the Rev. Joe Puthenkulathil officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be 3-9 p.m. Monday, May 29, 2006 at the Kostel Funeral Chapel in Tabor, SD with a rosary at 7:30 p.m. followed by a Scripture service at 8:00 p.m. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the funeral chapel. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren.
Hermina was born August 1, 1918 to Jos A. and Josephine (Bloch) Zdenek on the family farm near Lesterville, SD. She was baptized at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Lesterville. On November 19, 1940 she married Bly F. Kloucek at the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Lesterville. She and Bly managed Beseda Hall in Tabor from 1976-1988. She was a member of St. Wenceslaus Altar Society, Catholic Workman Czech Heritage Society and Social Sokol Club. Her hobbies included cleaning many ducks and chickens, working in her garden, and living on a farm. She moved to the Tabor Manor in 1999 and became a resident at the Tyndall Good Samaritan Center, Tyndall in August 2004. She enjoyed church, short vacations and going out to eat.
Those who will cherish her memory are her son, Ken (Joyce) of Scotland, SD, her daughters, Delores Kokes, of Yankton, Evelyn Kloucek (Ken Vanecek) of Tabor, SD, Irene Schneider (Mike Hessel) of Sioux Falls, SD, Karen (Kevin) Frangenberg of Lesterville, SD; brother, Joseph (Helen) Zdenek, Lesterville, SD; sisters, Mildred (Garrold) Cameron of Yankton, Marion (Arlen) Rushing of Jefferson, TX; grandchildren, Mike (Anita) Kloucek, Mary Ann Kloucek, Marsha (Roger) Steffen, Jay (Lori) Kokes, Kevin and Jordan Schneider, Jason (Kylene) Schneider, Doug & Blas Vanecek, Kyle Frangenberg; great-grandchildren Jeff and Megan Kloucek, Wes, Nathan and Kayla Kloucek, Ashley, Brian and Chelsey Steffen, Regan Schneider, Michaela and Myles Kokes; and a great-great granddaughter Mariah Steffen.
She was preceded in death by her parents, stepmother, husband Bly, brothers August and James, sister Frances Drotzman, sister-in-law Lois Zdenek, sister-in-law Violet Zdenek Povandra and son-in-law Joe Kokes.
Linda Kay Kelley, 60, passed away at her home in Avon, SD on Tuesday, January 22nd 2013.
Visitation will be Friday from 5 PM until 7 PM at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Chapel in Avon. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 A.M., Saturday, January 26, 2013 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Battle Creek, NE with burial in the parish cemetery.
Linda was born in Norfolk, NE on December 28th, 1952 to Leo and Elizabeth (Evert) Kirby. She was the sixth of eleven children. Her family later moved to Orange, CA where she attended Holy Family Catholic School and El Modena High. Following graduation, Linda worked as a secretary for Empire Insurance Company in Santa Ana, CA. She married her high school sweetheart, Charles Kelley, on September 10th, 1977, and the two celebrated their 35th anniversary this fall. Linda and Charles worked for many years in California before they decided to move their growing family to South Dakota. They settled in Springfield, SD, where Linda worked as a stay at home mother to her six surviving children. In Springfield, Linda was an active member of St. Vincent’s Catholic Church where she served as a secretary for the Altar Society. She volunteered with the Girl Scouts when her daughters were younger and was involved with the Head Start program.
In the 1990s, Linda continued her administrative and secretarial career when she took an office position at Dakota Luggage Company in Tyndall, SD. Later, the company changed ownership several times but Linda remained and continued to manage the office. In 2006, Linda and her longtime business partner decided to purchase the business and became co-owners. Shortly thereafter, they moved the business to Avon, SD and renamed it Avon Manufacturing Company. As a manufacturer of equipment for fire and rescue operations, Linda was an advocate for local business and buying Made in the USA products.
Linda was well-known to the community and had many friends and acquaintances in the Avon and Springfield areas. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She will be remembered for her enjoyment of crossword puzzles, fishing and spending time with her family.
Linda is preceded in death by her daughter, Shauna Marie Kelley; father, Leo Kirby; her brothers: John and Gary Kirby; her sister, JoAnn (Kirby) and her husband, Andrew Kozak.
Linda is survived by her mother, Elizabeth Kirby of Battle Creek, NE; husband, Charles of Avon, SD; daughters: Colleen and husband Jim (Wright) of Iowa City, IA; Kathleen, of Coralville, IA and Bridget, of Mendota Heights, MN; and sons: Charles, of Yankton, SD; Brian, of Sioux Falls, SD; and Andrew, of Avon, SD. She is also survived by her siblings: James, Susan, Phil, Patricia, Jeannie, Brian and Diane, as well as numerous members of her extended family.
Mass of the Christian Burial for Wesly J. Kocer, 90, of Dante will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 12, 2007, at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Catholic Church in Dante, with burial in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner form 12 noon to 5 p.m., followed by a 7:00 p.m. rosary/wake at the church.
Wesly J. Kocer, son of Frank and Anna (Schneider) Kocer, was born September 13, 1916, on a farm near Scotland, SD. He died Monday, April 9, 2007 at St. Michael's Hospital in Tyndall, SD. Wesly attained the age of 90 years, six months and 27 days.
At the age of three, Wesly moved with his family to a farm south of Dante, where he helped on the farm. He attended Rouse Country School and also worked in Minnesota during harvest and picked corn by hand.
Wesly was united in marriage to Elsie Carda on August 26,1941, at Vodnany Catholic Church. Four sons were born to their union. Wesly farmed all of his life. He entered the Good Samaritan Center in Tyndall in February of 2000.
Wesly was a member of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Catholic Church in Dante.
Wesly enjoyed hunting, fishing and watching the Minnesota Twins.
Thankful for having shared his life are his wife, Elsie of Tyndall; three sons: Eugene and wife, Karon of Yankton, Ernie and wife, Theresa, and Leo, all of Dante; five grandchildren: Brian Kocer and wife, Machelle; Tonya Fortner and husband, Michael; Jared Kocer and wife, Becky; John Kocer and wife, Carrie; and Janelle Kozak and husband, Brian; 15 great grandchildren: Nathaniel, Seth and Jonah Kocer; Ethan and Gavin Fortner; Joel, Danica, Luke and Landon Kocer; Dacey, Gabriel and Browdy Kocer; Karlee, Kaden and Karsten Kozak (and one more on the way); sister, Mary Blaha and husband, Charles of Wagner; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Wesly was preceded in death by a son, Alvin in 1945; parents; three brothers: Louis, Tony and Sylvester; and five sisters: Matilda Soukup, Helen Soukup, Lillian Soukup, Clara Blaha and Rose Soukup.
Elsie Kocer, 89, of Tyndall died Saturday, March 14, 2009 at her home in Tyndall.
Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Thursday, March 19, 2009 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Catholic Church in Dante. Burial is in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Dante. Visitation will be Wednesday from 2 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner. Rosary/Wake services are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, at the church.
Elsie M. Kocer was born July 21, 1919 in rural Tripp, South Dakota, the daughter of Charles and Mary (Tucek) Carda. She died unexpectedly on Saturday, March 14, 2009 at her home in Tyndall, SD. Elsie attained the age of 89 years, seven months and 21 days.
Elsie attended country school in the Tripp area.
Elsie was united in marriage to Wesly J. Kocer on August 26, 1941 at Vodnany Catholic Church. Four sons were born to their union.
Elsie worked on the farm with Wesly, cleaned houses, and also cleaned the Assumption Church and Rectory at Dante. She moved to Tyndall on August 29, 2005.
Elsie was a member of the Assumption Catholic Church and Altar Society, of which she had served as a past president.
Elsie will be remembered for her love of quilting, baking and gardening.
Thankful for having shared her life are her three sons: Eugene and wife, Karon of Yankton; Ernie and wife, Theresa; and Leo, all of Dante; five grandchildren: Brian Kocer and wife, Machelle; Tonya Fortner and husband, Michael; Jared Kocer and wife, Becky; John Kocer and wife, Carrie; and Janelle Kozak and husband, Brian; 16 great grandchildren: Nathaniel, Seth and Jonah Kocer; Ethan and Gavin Fortner; Joel, Danica, Luke and Landon Kocer; Dacey, Gabriel and Browdy Kocer; Karlee, Kaden, Karsten and Kenadee Kozak; brother-in-law, John Podzimek of Wagner; sisters-in-law, Mary Blaha of Wagner and Betty Kocer of Tabor; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Elsie was preceded in death by her husband, Wesly on April 9, 2007; son, Alvin in 1945; parents; brother, Charles Carda, Jr; and three sisters: Clara Plihal, Sylvia Krcil and Leona Podzimek.
Sylvester F. Kocer, age 92, of Tabor and formerly of Dante passed away on Tuesday, April 3, 2007, at the Wakonda Heritage Manor, Wakonda, SD.
Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 7th, 2007, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Tabor, SD with Rev. Joe Puthenkulathil and Msgr. Carlton Hermann officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery with military graveside rites by Kortan-Hatwan American Legion Post #183, Tabor, SD. Visitations will be from 2-9 p.m. Friday, April 6th, 2007, at the Kostel Funeral Home in Tabor with a 7:00 p.m. scripture service followed by a rosary. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers will be Eugene Soukup, Eugene Kocer, Steve Soukup, Tommy Soukup, Doug Blaha, and Ernie Kocer. Honorary pallbearers will be the Catholic Workman, Knights of Columbus, Kortan-Hatwan American Legion Post #183 of Tabor and the VFW.
Sylvester was born January 1, 1915, on a farm near Scotland to Frank and Anna (Schneider) Kocer. When he was about 5 years old, his family moved to a farm south of Dante, where he helped on the farm. He attended Rouse School and also worked in Minnesota during harvest and picking corn by hand. On May 6, 1942, he was drafted into the Army to serve our country. He served in World War II in the 475th Infantry of which he obtained the rank of a Technician 5th Grade. For 6 months, he was in combat in Burma, India, and Trinidad fighting against the Japanese. He received a medical discharge on December 8, 1944. He was united in marriage to Betty Carda on January 16th, 1945, in Tabor. They lived on a farm north of Wagner for 1 year before moving to a farm 1 1/2 miles south of Dante, where they lived for 28 years. In 1973, they moved to Mitchell, where Sylvester worked construction, assisting in the building of St. Joseph's Hospital now know as "Queen of Peace." He was also employed as a custodian at the Corn Palace until he retired in 1985. He did volunteer work at the Corn Palace for basketball games and wrestling matches also baseball games. Sylvester was a member of the Holy Spirit Church in Mitchell, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Workman, American Legion, VFW, Senior Citizens, and the Tabor Chamber of Commerce. Sylvester loved to go hunting and was a great fisherman. He loved to play cards at the Senior Citizens and K.C. Hall.
Those who will cherish his memory are his wife, Betty of Tabor, SD; his daughter, Nancy (Michael) Snell; his grandsons: Michael and Charlie, both of Champaign, IL; his brother, Wesley Kocer of Dante, SD; and his sister, Mary (Charles) Blaha of Wagner; SD, his 15 Godchildren; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Anna Kocer; several sisters: Matilda Soukup, Helen Soukup, Lillian Soukup and Clara Blaha; and brothers: Louis Kocer and Tony Kocer.
In lieu of flowers the family wishes for memorials to be directed to: Alzheimers Treatment and Research, Ramsey Foundation, 640 Jackson Street, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101-2595.
Funeral mass for Wayne “Jerry” Kreber, 73, of Tyndall, South Dakota and formerly of Rapid City will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 20, 2014 at St. Leo Catholic Church in Tyndall with Fr. Joe Forcelle officiating. Marcene Kniffen will be the organist. Special music will be provided by Joe Sokolowski and the St. Leo Choir. Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. (MST) on Friday, November 21 at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis with military graveside rites. Visitation will be held at St. Leo Catholic Church in Tyndall on Wednesday, November 19 from 5:00 p.m. until a 7:00 p.m. rosary. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Goglin Funeral Home of Tyndall.
Wayne “Jerry” Kreber was born on Friday, February 14, 1941 to Lawrence and Gladys (Ball) Kreber. He was united in marriage to Carol Roberts on May 1, 1965 in Wall, South Dakota. Together they made their home in Rapid City. In his earlier years, he was one of the best racecar drivers Black Hills Speedway had seen. Jerry was a jack of all trades, but was especially gifted at fixing cars. After moving to the farm, he turned his talents to collecting and restoring John Deere tractors. During the harvest season, he was known to be found fixing a John Deere combine. For many years, he ran his own car repair business before selling and finishing his career at Coca-Cola. Following his retirement, Jerry and Carol moved to Tyndall in 2002. While mechanics was one of his greatest passions, he was always up for a mean game of pinochle. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Old Iron Club.
Jerry passed away on Sunday, November 16, 2014 at the Good Samaritan Society of Tyndall having attained the age of 73 years and 9 months.
He is survived by his wife, Carol of Tyndall; sons Bradley (Kim) of Spokane, WA and Scott (Jennifer) of Reno, NV; daughter Rebecca of Rapid City; grandchildren: Joseph, Grace, Macy, and Biron; sister Carol; mother-in-law Grace; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents Lawrence & Gladys, three brothers and three sisters.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Evelyn Dorothy Kucera was born on Sunday, February 8, 1914 at Yankton, South Dakota to Joseph and Elenore (Stibral) Vavra. She was raised on the family farm near Yankton and attended Yankton High School through the 10th grade. Evelyn was united in marriage to Ernest Kucera on January 31, 1945 at Yankton. They farmed near Tyndall nearly all their married lives. Retiring in 1981, they lived first in Parkston and later moved to Tripp. Evelyn was very family-oriented and her daughter, granddaughters and great-granddaughters were her life. She will be remembered for the wonderful baking she did, especially her kolaches. Evelyn was active well into her nineties and just four years ago helped her granddaughter Sherrie bake the kolaches for her wedding. She was a member of the Tyndall Presbyterian Church, where she was active in the Ladies’ Aid. Evelyn became a resident of the Good Samaritan Society of Tripp in September of 2006, and it is there that she passed away on Friday, November 27, 2009 at the age of 95 years, 9 months and 19 days.
Evelyn is survived by her daughter, Shirley Holm of Tripp; three granddaughters: Julie Wilson and husband Craig of Sioux Falls, Sherrie Petersen and husband Andy of Mitchell, and Connie Schmidt and husband Tom of Sioux Falls; and four great-granddaughters: Abigail, Christina, and Isabel (Schmidt) and Evie (Petersen); and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest; her parents, Joseph and Elenore Vavra; two brothers, Johnny and Joseph; a sister, Sylvia; and her son-in-law, Dennis Holm.
Ernest Milo Kucera, 84, Tripp, died Wednesday (Sept. 12, 2001) at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton.
Funeral services are at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, Tyndall, with the Rev. David Reck officiating. Burial will be in the Czech National Cemetery, Tyndall. Pallbearers are Connie Schmidt, Tom Schmidt, Sherrie Holm, John Peterson, Julie Wilson and Craig Wilson. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until servicetime today (Saturday) at the church. Petrik-Kelley Funeral Home, Tyndall, is in charge of arrangements.
He was born June 19, 1917, at Tyndall, to Frank and Julia (Hladky) Kucera. He attended Bambas School No. 19 and graduated from eighth grade. He married Evelyn Vavra on Jan. 31, 1945, at Yankton. They farmed for many years, north of Tyndall and then retired in Tripp. For the past several years, he had enjoyed playing drums for polka bands. The last two years, he entertained residents of local nursing homes with John Peterson.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn, Tripp; one daughter: Shirley (Dennis) Holm, Tripp; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and one sister.
Laddie L. Koupal, 88, Springfield, died Saturday (Feb. 14, 2004) at the Assisted Living Center, Springfield.
Funeral mass is at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. John's Catholic Church, Wagner. Burial is in St. John's Catholic Cemetery, rural Wagner. Visitation is from noon-5 p.m. Tuesday at Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home, Wagner. Rosary/wake services are 7 p.m. Tuesday at the church.
Laddie was born Aug. 6, 1915, in rural Tabor to Thomas and Stella (Grail) Koupal. He attended rural school through the eighth grade south of Tabor. He married Rose Rezac Feb. 14, 1939, at St. Mary's Assumption Catholic Church, Dante. They spent their life farming south of Dante. She died July 21, 1993. He entered the Assisted Living Center in 1997.
He loved his family, farm, horses, horse-drawn buggies, drawing, dancing, Czech traditions and Czech music. He also loved having his nieces and nephews come to the farm to visit.
He is survived by his son, Fred (Thelma) Koupal, Tyndall; a daughter, Edie (Joe) Sadler, Brandon; four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents and a brother.
Albina Koupal, 84, Yankton, a woman of faith and prayer, died Thursday, Oct. 21, 2004, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 25, 2004, at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Dante, SD, with Richard Baumberger officiating, and burial services immediately following at the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Sunday, October 24, 2004, at the Kostel Funeral Home, Yankton, with a rosary at 6 p.m. followed by a scripture service.
Albina was born September 22, 1920, in Tabor to Frank and Josephine (Dvoracek) Kronaizl. She later attended Breezy Hill Country School, St. Wenceslaus School and Tabor High School.
Albina married Leonard Koupal on September 29, 1941, in Dante, SD, where the couple farmed until Leonard's death in 1956. She maintained the farm operation until moving to Wagner in 1964, where she worked for the Wagner Good Samaritan. She later moved to Yankton in 1976 where she was employed at Sacred Heart Hospital.
She was an active member of Dante's Altar Society and the Catholic Daughters. Following retirement, she continued as a faithful church and hospital volunteer. Family and friends will remember her for her loving concern and endless prayers for others.
She is survived by her four children: Millie (Kary) Halle, of Yankton, SD; Lavern (Alice) Koupal, of Dante, SD; Karen (Tom) Weber, of Yankton, SD; and Lenny Koupal, of Sioux City, IA; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; one sister, Lillian Biehl of Geddes; and a half-brother Mike Koupal of Yankton.
She is preceded in death by husband, Leonard; infant son Gary; and her parents.
The family requests that memorials be directed toward Albina's love for the House of Mary Shrine and the Radio Rosary.