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Darlene Doris (Swensen) Kuchta, 74 years old of Yankton, SD passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2008 at the Avera Yankton Care Center, Yankton, SD. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 PM, Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Yankton with burial at the Garden of Memories Cemetery. Pastor Dave Wildermuth will be officiating. Visitations will be from 5-8 PM, Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at the Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory with the family present from 6-7 PM. There is a 7:00 PM prayer service. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at Trinity Lutheran Church. Following, the service, coffee and cake will be served by the Women of Trinity Lutheran Church for one hour. Burial will take place after that. Pallbearers will be Gerald Jensen, Roger Lamp, Kenny Mellem, John Swensen, Leland (Chris) Swensen, and Dean Thomsen. Honorary pallbearers will be all of Darlene's cousins, nieces and nephews.
Darlene was born on September 5, 1933 at Irene, SD to Floyd and Olive (Pederson) Swensen. She started her education at Turkey Valley Grade School for 6 years and Mayfield School for 2 years. She graduated from Irene High School in 1951. She then moved to Yankton and attended Yankton Business College. She worked for Crocket Law Office after graduation. Darlene was joined in marriage to Lloyd F. Kuchta on April 19, 1953. They farmed by Utica, SD. Later, they moved to rural Irene and farmed there until they bought their current farm by Yankton in 1966. Darlene was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Yankton and the Yankton Antique Auto Club. She contributed her time and talents to the church soup kitchen, also. When she was able, Darlene loved her gardening and flowers. She also enjoyed reading and watching Wheel of Fortune. She enjoyed her pretty glassware collection, visiting with family and friends-always offered coffee and cookies and her tavern meat was a favorite of everyone's. She always loved going for drives with Lloyd and going to parades in their 1930 Plymouth or their 1930 Model A Ford gave her much joy, also. When she was not having knee problems, she very much liked attending church. She cherished her family and her many friends. She was recognized easily by her ready smile. She was like a second "Mom" to many and cared deeply about all of her "children".
Darlene is survived by her husband of 55 years, Lloyd of Yankton, SD; her son, Kenny Kuchta of Yankton, SD; her daughter, Marlene Ahlers of Sioux Falls, SD and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Olive Swensen.
The family wishes for memorials to be directed to: Trinity Lutheran Church, 403 Broadway Avenue, Yankton, SD 57078.
Kristi K. "Kris" Liebsch, age 50 of Yankton, SD passed away at her residence Monday, March 17, 2008. Memorial services will be 11:00 AM, Saturday, March 22, 2008 at the Yankton High School Theater with Rev. Dean Trapp officiating. Burial of the cremated remains will be at the Greenwood Cemetery, Brookings, SD at a later date. Visitations will be 5 to 9 PM, Friday, at the Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory with a prayer service and memorial tribute at 7:00 PM officiated by Chaplain Mary Hochstein. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at Yankton High School. Honorary Urn Bearers will be Brad Styles, Bucky Schumacher, Kent Reilly, Jeff Venske, Bill Hamner, and Don Martinell.
Kris was born November 10, 1957 in Sioux Falls, SD to Bill and Carol (Hamner) Stapleton. She was baptized in Sioux Falls. She worked at Billion Motors and the Sioux Falls Credit Bureau for 15 years. After moving to Yankton she worked at Gurney's until it closed and then began work as Attendance Secretary at Yankton High School where she worked until her death. She loved to garden, cooking, she was very good at a special knack with plants, green thumb. She also loves camping, bike riding, hiking and her boys. From time to time she liked to sneak off with her mother-in-law to the casino in Flandreau.
Her life is cherished by her husband James of Yankton; two sons Jonathon of Minneapolis, MN (University of Minnesota) and Stephen a Sophomore at Yankton High School; Step-bother Jeff (Patricia) Venske of Sioux Falls, SD; sister Kelly Page of Kaughman, TX; step sister Cheri (Chuck) Gray of Pierre, SD and sister-in-law Susan (Tom) Olson of Tabor, SD; Mother Carol (Ralph) Venske of Mohave Valley, AZ and Father William "Bill" Stapleton of Denair, CA; Mother and Father-in-law Edmund (Gen) Liebsch of Sioux Falls, SD; Uncles and Aunts Don (Charla) Martinell and Bill (Sandy) Hamner all of Sioux Falls, SD. She was preceded in death by her grandparents Lillian and Vernon Hamner.
Julia Albina Petranek, formerly of Yankton died Thursday, February 14, 2008 at the Tripp Good Samaritan Center in Tripp, SD. She had attained the age of 96 years and 4 days.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 PM, Monday, February 18, 2008 at the Kostel Funeral Chapel with Danny Van Gerpen officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery, Yankton, SD. Visitations will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral chapel.
Julia was born February 10, 1912 in Tabor, SD to Vaclav and Josephine (Kortan) Benes. She grew up and attended school thru the 8th grade in the Tabor area. She worked for several years as a housekeeper, cook, and babysitter to 2 Yankton families. On February 25, 1941, she was married to Peter W. Petranek in Tabor. They farmed in the Lesterville area until 1961 when they moved to Yankton. Here she did babysitting for several families over a period of several years.
She is survived by one daughter, Judy (LeRoy) Roth of Tripp, SD; one grandson, Ryan (Amanda) Roth of Dell Rapids, SD; three nieces and one nephew.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Peter in 1986, one sister, Emma Pechan, and two brothers, Charles and Thomas Benes.
Julia will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother and for her great cooking. She enjoyed farming, gardening, flowers, and had a love of animals, especially dogs.
Raymond R. Raabe, age 84, of Worthington, MN, and formerly of Hinton, IA and Tabor, SD passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at South Shore Care Center, Worthington, MN. Funeral services are 10:30 AM, Friday, April 25, 2008 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Yankton, SD with Rev. David Gunderson officiating. Burial will be in the ZCBJ Cemetery, Tabor, SD. Visitations will be 3 to 9 PM, Thursday, (April 24, 2008) at the Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton, SD with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers will be Kevin Raabe, Karen Morales, Lori Gardenr, David Recker, Darrin Recker, and Michelle Cuppy. Honorary pallbearers will be Teresa Maddox, Tammie Ded, Eric Koletzky, Craig Ruden, DeAnn Kloucek, and Vickie Raabe.
Raymond was born on March 2, 1924 to Herman and Katherina (Hoff) Raabe in Tyndall, SD. He was united in marriage to Delores E. Honner on September 26, 1945. Ray worked for the REA throughout the Midwest. He farmed in the Tyndall, SD area and was a farmhand in the Merrill and Hinton, IA area. After his retirement, Delores and he moved back to Tabor, SD. They managed the Beseda Hall in Tabor for many years. After Delores passed away, he moved to Round Lake, MN and then to the South Shore Care Center in Worthington, MN until the time of his death.
Raymond enjoyed fishing, bowling, and especially woodworking of which he had a great talent and handcrafted many doll cribs, bookshelves, bowls, and rocking horses.
His memory will always be cherished by his children: Gary (Kim) Raabe of Kennawick, WA, Arlis Ded and Tim Cuka of Tabor, SD, Arlo (Wayne) Koletzky of Port St. Lucie, FL, Renae (Edward) Recker of Alton, IA, Rena (Mike) Smith of Round Lake, MN, and Paulette Raabe of Sioux Falls, SD; 12 Grandchildren; 13 Great Grandchildren; 2 step Grandchildren; 9 step Great Grandchildren; 2 sisters, Evelyn Rokusek of Tyndall, SD and Ellen Roe of Sioux Falls, SD; 1 brother-in-law, Adolph Krcil of Yankton, SD; 1 sister-in-law, Marcella Kost of El Monte, CA and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Delores, his parents, 3 brothers, 2 sisters, 1 Granddaughter, and 1 Great Grandson.
Agnes M. Roberts, age 66, of Yankton, passed away Tuesday, January 29, 2008, at Avera Yankton Care Center, Yankton, SD. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Friday, February 1, 2008 at the Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton, with Dave Carhart officiating. Visitations will be 5 to 8 PM, Thursday, at the Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton, with the family present at 7:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial of the cremated remains will be 11:00 AM, Saturday, at the Bloomfield Cemetery, Bloomfield, NE. Honorary pallbearers are her grandsons.
Agnes attended District 19 Knox County Country School. Then attended Crofton High School until the death of her mother. Agnes stayed at home to help her father with her younger siblings on the family farm. She raised two daughters by the names of Cheryl Ann and Ro Jean Annette. She lived in Wyoming where she managed the Red Desert Cafe for a few years. She moved back to the family farm west of Crofton in 1973 to assist her father with the care of her grandfather. When her grandfather passed away, she became employed as a mental health aide at HSC. She worked there for 24 1/2 years until she was forced to retire due to health reason in November of 2000. She attended Crofton community church faithfully. Agnes moved to Yankton, SD when she lost her home to a fire in 1997.
She enjoyed cooking, fishing, camping, playing cards, woodworking and crafting. She was very proud of all her grandchildren and loved to attend their school events. It also made her very happy to teach them how fish. She enjoyed traveling around the country with her family (called sister trips) and friends. She liked to keep in touch with aunts, uncles by attending family reunions. Agnes had a big heart and her home was always open to family, friends, and anyone else in need.
She is survived by her two daughters, Cheryl (David) Koletzky of Yankton, SD and Ro Jean Marshalek (significant other Shawn Combs) of Omaha NE. Seven grand children: Christopher Koletzky of Sturgis, SD, Sarah (Jeffery) Vanorny of Harrisburg, SD, John and Timothy Koletzky of Yankton, SD; Anthony, Marqueta, and Brandon Marshalek of Omaha, NE; and two great grandsons: Jason and Isaih Marshalek; two brothers, Dennis Luckinbill of St. Claire, MO, Lyle (Kate) Luckinbill of Yankton, SD; four sisters, Ella (Walter) Lahm of Union, MO, Janice Kriesch of Norfolk, NE, Phyllis Kirk of St. Claire, MO, Carol Wilson of Yankton, SD; nieces and nephews; and a very special friend, Vicky Johnson of Crofton, NE.
Agnes was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents and brother Jerry Luckinbill.
Lillian Evelyn Sestak, age 87, of Tabor, SD, passed away Saturday, February 23, 2008 at the Tyndall Good Samaritan Center, Tyndall, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, February 27, 2008, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, SD, with Rev. Joe Puthenkulathil officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitations will begin at 5:00 PM, Tuesday, February 26, 2008, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church with a scripture service at 7:00 PM followed by a rosary. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Tabor, is in charge of arrangements. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren: Matt Luebke, Kevin Luebke, Ryan Sestak, Corey Sestak, Kristin Sestak, Becky Sestak, Paul Sestak, David Sestak, Chad Garner, and Sarah Garner.
Lillian was born on October 28, 1920 to Frank and Rose (Merkwan) Travnicek on the family farm east of Tyndall, South Dakota and attended Vlasak School. On May 23, 1944, she was united in marriage to Adolph Sestak at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Tabor, SD. Lillian was employed at C R Industries and the Human Services Center in Yankton and for many years managed the Beseda Hall in Tabor.
She was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, St. Wenceslaus Altar and Rosary Society, which she was also a past president, Czech Heritage Society, Catholic Workman Br. #93 and a past member of the Kortan-Hatwan American Legion Auxiliary.
Lillian enjoyed cooking and baking for her family. She loved to take care of and play with her grandchildren. She attended many of her children and grandchildren's activities. Lillian was very proud to have attended 3 grandchildren's weddings, traveling to Alaska in 2002 and New Hampshire in 2007.
Her memory will always be cherished by her children: Patricia Garner of Ames, IA, Tom of Tabor, SD, Gary (Marilyn) of Tabor, SD, Karen (Martin) Luebke of Garretson, SD, and Terry (Eileen) of Tabor, SD; brother, Emil Travnicek of Yankton, SD and also survived by her 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Adolph in December 2002, infant son, Joseph, her parents, brother, Joseph, a son-in-law, Ken Garner, and three sisters-in-law: Gloria Travnicek, Lola Travnicek, and Beatrice Travnicek.
Julia H. Smith, age 97, of Yankton died Tuesday, January 15, 2008, at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, January 19, 2008 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Yankton, with Rev. Ken Bain officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Yankton, SD. Visitations will be 6 to 9 PM, Friday, with a rosary at 7:00 PM followed by a scripture service at 7:30 PM at the Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton, SD. Pallbearers will be Mark, Tim, Patrick, Paul, and Stephen Smith and Jeff Jackson.
Mrs. Smith was born Julia Helen Wilson on April 26, 1910 in Missouri Valley, IA to the late Hannah Ryan and Edward Wilson. She was raised and educated just south of there in Omaha, NE, with her seven brothers and sisters. It was there that she met her future husband, the late Arthur J. Smith, M.D., who was attending medical school at Creighton University. In 1937, they moved to their permanent home in Yankton, building their historic chalkstone house atop Chalkstone Hill, just outside of town. Julia raised their family of four boys there: James, Joseph, John, and Thomas.
When Arthur died in 1953, Julia held the family together financially, spiritually, and emotionally, along with the help of Charles J. "Chug" Smith - Arthur's younger and brother, a farmer - who she married in 1964. Julia and Chug finished raising the boys, seeing each other through good and bad times, including the death of her son, Tom. They lived out their golden years in the home on Chalkstone Hill, until they moved to Majestic Bluffs in 1999. Julia lost Chug later that same year.
Julia was renowned as the Smith family matriarch. With infallible social elegance, a ready smile and unremitting kindness, her name was synonymous with "graciousness" to those with the good fortune to know her. Julia's faith and devout Christianity were evident in her everyday life; she attended Mass often at Scared Heart Church. She rarely had an ill word to say of anyone. She played bridge with her lady friends. She collected porcelain birds. She never let anyone else pay for dinner. She welcomed strangers as friends, with a hug and a smile. She called everyone "darling". She had a contagious laugh. She smelled great. She always had Nilla Wafers in her cookie jar.
At the end, Julia, faced a decade-long decline under the compassionate care of the Majestic Bluffs staff. With the help of her loved ones, she endured the ailments and indignities of old age in the same way she always lived: with grace.
Julia was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Arthur and Charles, her sons Joseph and Thomas, her brothers Thomas, Frank, and Conrad Wilson, and her sisters Anita Tracy and Josephine Schierbrock. Julia is survived by her sons, James (Lavon) Smith of Phoenix, AZ and John (Reva) Smith of Omaha, NE; her daughter-in-law Leah Smith of Yankton, SD; and her brothers Edward Wilson of Sun City, CA and Eugene Wilson of Dubuque, IA. She also leaves nine grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, and one great great granddaughter.
Helena K. Handel, age 84, of Menno, passed away at home after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at Peace Christian Reformed Church, Menno, SD at 10:30AM. Burial will be in the Menno Cemetery. Visitations will be at Aisenbrey-Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home in Menno, SD on Tuesday May 13, 2008 from 1:30 PM to 8:00 PM with the family present from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers will be Jeremy Handel, Justin Handel, Tyler Handel, Stean Maas, Daniel Mettler, and Steven Mettler.
Helena Katherina Mettler was born May 25, 1923, on a farm north of Menno, S.D. to Jacob F. and Magdalena (Mettler) Mettler. She was baptized by Rev. Betel and confirmed by Rev. Aaron Kurtz, in the Zion Reformed Church, north of Menno.
She enjoyed her youth, growing up on the farm with her brothers and sisters. She graduated from Menno High School in 1943. She married Clifford J. Handel on September 15, 1946. They farmed east of Menno until 1981 when they moved to Menno and acquired Handel Insurance Agency. Helen always helped on the farm and in the office.
She was a wonderful friend to her family and neighbors and was a faithful servant in her church and to many others. She found joy in gardening.
Helen is survived by her husband of 61 years, Clifford; one daughter, Katherine Handel (Lynn Pennington) of Paoli, OK; two sons: Bruce (Mary) Handel of Menno, SD and John (JoLynn) Handel of Sioux City, IA; Grandchildren: Deaun Maas Steed, Major Stean (Raissa) Maas, Jeremy (Denise) Handel, Justin (Joanie) Handel, Hayden, Holten and Halena Handel; Great-grandchildren are: Tyler, Avery and Grant Handel, Austin and Hailey Handel, and Jaeyla Maas Steed. Helen is also survived by her sister, Cecilia Huenemann and four brothers: Ray (Velma) Mettler, Calvin (Carol) Mettler, Gerold Mettler, and Gordon (Pat) Mettler, all of Menno, SD, as well as, many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Erna Tueting and Elsie Herrboldt, and two young siblings, Richard and Hildegard.
Alvin Joseph Fuks, age 87, of Yankton, SD died early Tuesday, September 02, 2008, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, September 6, 2008 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Yankton, with Rev. Ken Bain officiating. A luncheon for all will immediately follow the service. Burial will be approximately 1:30 PM Saturday afternoon in the Nikodym Cemetery, rural Utica, SD with Military Graveside Rites by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post # 791. Visitations will be 2 to 9 PM, Friday, September 5, 2008 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. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.
A.J. was born on a farm in Yankton County on April 26, 1921 to Agnes (Hacecky) and Sanford Fuks. He attended school in a one-room school house, No. 46 Peterka School District, and graduated from Yankton High School in 1939. He married Rose Sykora on January 20, 1942.
Alvin was inducted into the Army Air Corps on September 24, 1942 during WWII. In addition to his duties in the Signal Corps of the 82nd Airborne, he was a boxer during his time in the service. He parachuted into Normandy from a C-47 aircraft as part of Operation Overlord onto Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion. Corporal Fuks was discharged on October 28, 1945. He returned to South Dakota where he was a baseball catcher. He and Rose raised their family and farmed 320 acres near Utica until he retired. Rose died in 1980.
He met Alma Zweber in 1985 and they shared their lives together in sickness and in health for the next 23 years. He loved to dance, fish, and follow the weather and farm reports. Alvin was proud to have worked at WalMart for the past 18 years as a sporting goods associate and people greeter. He loved life and courageously fought his way through several major illnesses with dignity and enduring faith.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Rose; and a brother, Dorance.
Alvin is survived by five children; Charlene Blain, Ronald Fuks, Joan Fuks (Henry McKee), Lauren (Jackie) Fuks, all of Yankton, and Lila (Roger) Olson of Volin; two sisters-in-law, Ella Fuks of Yankton, and Tracy (Leo) Taylor of Council Bluffs; along with numerous grandchildren.
Grateful for having shared his life are his beloved Alma Zweber of Yankton; his five step-children, Gerri (Jim) Smith of Sioux Falls, Gerard (Suzanne) Zweber of Mission Hill, Debby (Jack) Roth of Parker, Mary Zweber (Peter Murray) of Burbank, and Veronica Zweber of Yankton; along with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, including Mallory Zweber, Grayson Zweber, and T.C. Murray.
