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Verna M. (Bentley) Hojem, age 75, of Yankton, passed away Tuesday, September 30, 2008, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD. Funeral services will be 1:00 PM, Friday, October 3, 2008 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Yankton, with Rev. David Lund officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories, Yankton, SD. Visitations will be 5 to 8 PM, Thursday, at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton, SD with a prayer service and memorial tribute at 7:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers will be Shaun Bentley, Jeremy Gleich, Dan, Steve, Travis, and Will Bentley. Honorary pallbearers will be Megan Gleich and Jennifer Bentley and Earl Sparks.
Verna was born on October 20, 1932, to Raymond and Tillie (Machacek) Sparks in Yankton, SD. She was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Yankton, and was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and homemaker.
She married William D. Bentley on November 10, 1950 and were later divorced. He died on December 7, 1980. To this union, 5 children, Sandy, Connie, Russ, Ron and Rick, were born. On May 20, 1978, she married William Hojem, who died December 7, 1997.
Through the course of her working life, Verna was employed by the Human Services Center, Shriver's, M-Tron Industries, Jack Ôn' Jill Bakery, and Casey's General Store West, as a baker, where she remained until her retirement. Her hobbies included baking wedding cakes, all occasion cakes, and numerous goodies for the family. She also put in many hours doing crafts. In her spare time, she enjoyed volunteering at Avera Adult Day Services and Trinity Lutheran Church.
Verna is survived by sons Russ (Patricia) Bentley of Huron, SD, and Rick (Linda) Bentley of Yankton, SD; daughters Sandy Dolney of Yankton, SD and Connie (James) Mors of Yankton, SD and Colorado Springs, CO; 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; and brother Earl (Marge) Sparks, Yankton, SD and Aunt Agnes Sparks of Yankton, SD.
She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, son Ron Bentley on September 12, 1993 and Brother Melvin Sparks.
The family requests that memorials be directed to: The Kidney Dialysis Unit of Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD.
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.
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.
Robert "Bob" Frank Kurtzhals, age 76 of Gayville, SD passed away Friday, December 5, 2008 at the Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, December 8, 2008 at St. Benedict Catholic Church with Rev. Ken Bain officiating. Burial of Bob's cremated remains will be in the Cashmere Cemetery in Cashmere, WA at a later date. Visitations will begin at 3:00 PM on Sunday, December 7, 2008 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton with a 4 PM rosary followed by a 4:30 PM scripture service. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.
Bob Kurtzhals was born to Leonard & Clara (Janssen) Kurtzhals in Coleridge, NE on September 18, 1932. He was baptized and confirmed to the Catholic faith at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Coleridge. Bob married Carol Welton on July 16, 1956 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Coleridge. For most of his life, he farmed and did mechanic work. He was known and respected for his knowledge of antique trucks and tractors and their history. Bob was a faithful servant and touched the lives of those he met along the way.
Left to cherish his memory is the love of his life, his wife of 52 years, Carol of Yankton, SD; sons, Robert Frederick (Jacque) Kurtzhals of Auburn, WA, and Jerry Kurtzhals and his fiance, Jennifer Armstrong and her children, Kayshalyn, Ana, Makai and Phoebe of Salem, SD; daughters: Teresa K. (Howard) Garrett-Miller and children, Alexandra and Lauren Garrett of Olalla, WA, Lola Jean (Mark) Kling and children Matthew Mark, Maris Frederick, Marshall Robert all of Kent, WA, Catherine Barthel (Chip) Hanson and children Nick and Morgan of Federal Way, WA, Clara Jane (Bruce) Thoene and children Brandon and Alena of Omaha, NE, and Marleen (Keith) Herpy and children Gregory and Todd of Pierce, NE: brothers: Leonard Kurtzhals of Dallas, TX and James (Shirley Ann) Kurtzhals of Indiana: sister, Kathleen Maier of Nebraska.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Mitchell Brice Garrett.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for memorials to be directed to: Avera Sacred Heart Hospice, 501 Summit Street, Yankton, SD 57078.
Christine Carol Lehmann, age 75, of Yankton, beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother went to be with her Lord due to a sudden illness on January 17, 2009 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Monday, (today), January 19, 2009 at Calvary Baptist Church, Yankton, SD with Rev. Jon Cooke officiating. Burial will be in the Hurley Cemetery at a later date. Visitations were 6 to 8 PM, Sunday, at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, with a 7:00 PM scripture service. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers will be Sergio Colicheski, Aaron Underwood, Mitch Petersen, Nathan Veen, Josh Boyer, and Sidney Bulthuis.
Daughter of Arthur and Velma Muhmel, Christine was born May 29th 1933 on a farm near Scotland, S.D. She attended country school for 8 years and then graduated from Scotland High School in 1951. The next three years were spent taking nurses training at Sacred Heart School of Nursing in Yankton. After graduation she married LaVerne Lehmann. To this union four children were born. They lived at Turkey Ridge and then at Kaylor, S.D. where LaVerne was a blacksmith. During the 60's and 70's they made their home farming near Hurley, where their children grew up. After all the children were in school, Christine started working as a nurse at Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Viborg, S.D. for 10 years. After LaVerne's death she moved to Yankton and worked at Sacred Heart as evening nurse for 15 years at Sister James Nursing Home. After moving to Yankton Christine found Calvary Baptist Church where she became a member and served her risen Lord.
Christine is survived by her family: Carol (Les) Veen of LeMars, IA, Tom (Becki) Lehmann and Kay (Pete) Sweitzer, both of Rapid City, S.D, and Lisa (Ron) Petersen of Hurley, S.D.
Christine's most precious gift has been her salvation through Jesus Christ. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren have been a most wonderful gift and legacy. She enjoyed being with them so much. Her grandchildren are: Danielle (Sergio) Colicheski and their children, Dante, Dominique, and Nieva; Christie (Sidney) Bulthuis and their children, Trygve and Miles; Nathan (Christina) Veen; Sara (Brandon) Barker and their children, Alexandra and Bear; Jamie (Aaron) Underwood and their children, Soyir and Ava; Jacklyn (Justin) Poundstone and their child, Jackson; Melissa Lehmann, Angela Petersen, Jessica Lehmann, and Mitch Petersen.
Her most fervent prayer was that each one will fulfill their part in the Great Commission. Christine will be remembered for her loving kindness in service to her church, family, neighbors, and friends.
Christine was preceded in death by her parents and brother Fred and his wife Eleanore and her special cousin Corliss Church, her husband LaVerne, two brother in-laws Kenny and Dale and sister in-law Marcene.
Michael B. Lowe, age 58, of Yankton, SD. On Monday, November 24, 2008, Mike was called by our Lord to his eternal home after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Yankton, with Rev. Ken Bain officiating. Private committal of Michael's cremated remains will be at a later date. Visitations will be 3 to 9 PM, Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, with a rosary and video tribute at 7:00 PM followed by a scripture service at 7:30 PM. Pallbearers will be Joe Dreesen, Jeff Dressen, Steve Gross, Palmer Iverson, Dave Frick, and Joe LaBarge.
Michael was married to Rhonda Larsen from 1973until 1981. He graduated from Yankton High School in 1968 and attended Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD for one year. He returned to Yankton and worked for HSC from 1969 through 1984. He then worked for his uncle, Kenny Dreesen at the Lazy D in South Yankton, Nebraska from 1990Ð1998, where he was affectionately known as "Surf". In 2000, he started working at Wal-Mart where he was employed until his death.
Mike was a walking dictionary of sports trivia and was a die-hard Green Bay Packer and Atlanta Braves fan. He coached Junior Leader Football for 8 years. He loved to hunt, fish, play golf, and watch sports with his family and friends. He also enjoyed many good times camping with his family. Mike was devoted to his family and his courage and kindness touched many lives. A special thanks to Wal-Mart for truly being his "other" family.
Mike's memory is cherished by his loving companion, Denelda Shutt of Yankton; 2 sons, Patrick (Leslie) and Matt (Kayla) Lowe of Yankton; one daughter, Stacey (Tim) Peterson of Yankton; 5 grandchildren; one sister, Patsy (Michael) Miller of Ottawa, KS and his beloved cocker spaniel "Tuck". He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jimmy Lowe. Memorials are directed to Sacred Heart Hospice; 501 Summit Ave.; Yankton, SD 57078.
Lloyd A. Lucas, age 75, of Yankton, died Sunday, June 29, 2008, at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, July 2, 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 5 to 9 PM, Tuesday, at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton, with a rosary at 7:00 PM by the Knights of Columbus 4th degree Honor Guard, a memorial tribute, and then a scripture service at 7:30 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers will be Duane Holoch, Allen Holoch, Harold Holoch, Ron Nysven, Earl Nysven, Darren Ellwein, David Ryken, and Bob Lucas. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Lloyd was born August 6, 1932 at Yankton, SD to Nick and Martha (Baerwaldt) Lucas. He grew up in the Yankton area and attended school through the eight grade. Lloyd was required to quit school as a freshman to help his father farm. While farming he also Binder's as a relief driver for 9 months, worked for Larson Brothers for 2 years and then worked for Broadway Sheet Metal from 1961 until 1995. After retiring from town he continued to farm until retiring in 2006. He married Darlene B. (?) on June 1, 1959 at Bow Valley, NE.
Lloyd was a loving Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Great Grandpa. Lloyd had a great love of the land and always enjoyed being a CASE IH man. He very much enjoyed nature and being with his family. He loved NASCAR and Dale Ernhart, Jr., daily stops at the elevator, and coffee with his friends. A stop at the new Highway 81 bridge was something he enjoyed everyday. He loved country western music, having coffee at HyVee, and earlier in his life riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. He will be remembered for his wonderful smile, ocean blue eyes, and constant gentle way. He was a member St. Benedict's parish, Knights of Columbus, Moose Lodge, Soil Conservation Board, Rural Fire Department Board, Antique Tractor Club, and the Yankton County Farmers Union.
His memory is cherished by his wife Darlene of Yankton; his children, Sue (Jan) Odens, Dianne (Kurt) Johnson, John Lucas, and Roxanne (Tom) Frick all of Yankton, SD. Three sister Ethel Nysven of Wakonda, SD, Clara (Dennis) Pietz of Yankton, and Darlene (Orville) Ellwein of Freeman, SD. 8 grandchildren: Nick (Janet), Brian, and Kelsey Odens, Dusty, Mike, and Jessica Johnson, Savannah and Austin Frick. 2 great grandchildren: Tyler and Brenna Odens.
Helga L. McElwain, age 98 of Yankton passed away on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at the Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton. Memorial services will be 2:00 PM, Wednesday, May 21, 2008, at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton, with Rev. David Lund officiating. Burial of the cremated remains will be in the Yankton Cemetery. Visitations will be 6 to 8 PM, Tuesday, with the family present. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Nyberg, Paul Rehfuss, Bob Titus, Larry Hintgen, Jerry Cameron, and Jim Jensen.
Helga was born November 28, 1909 to Nels and Helene (Jacobsen) Larsen in Grenno, Denmark. She moved to the United States as a child in 1913 with her mother and three siblings to join her father. She married Harold McElwain in the Trinity Lutheran Church parsonage on August 22, 1932. Harold later died at the age of 54. Helga worked at Fantle's Department Store for many years. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church since 1932, Fireman's Auxiliary, the Elk's Club and the Yankton Senior Citizens.
Helga is survived by her son John of Owatonna, MN; her brother Nels Larsen of Butte, MT; three grandchildren, Heather McElwain of Boston, MA, Steve Lowe and Darcy Lowe both of Brentwood, CA; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, a daughter and son-in-law, three brothers and two sisters. Any memorials are directed to the Organ Fund at Trinity Lutheran Church, 403 Broadway Avenue, Yankton, SD 57078.
Jean McKane, age 90, of Yankton, passed away early Friday, August 29, 2008 at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, SD. Memorial Mass was held at 5:00 PM, Saturday (today), August 30, 2008 at St. Agnes Catholic Church (Sigel), rural Utica, SD with Rev. William McKane officiating. Burial of the cremated remains will take place on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 at the parish cemetery.
Jean B. McKane, World War II bride, Navy wife, and mother of three children, died on August 29th at the Avera Sister James home in Yankton. Jean was born on April 7, 1918, and grew up in Springfield, Pennsylvania. She met her future husband, Andrew (Andy) McKane, in the fifth grade. They began dating at Springfield High School and continued throughout their college years. Andy and Jean were married in 1943, after Andy finished medical school. They lived in Philadelphia until Andy was called to Navy duty at sea. Jean traveled with him by train across the country to San Francisco, where Andy deployed to the Pacific theater. Their first daughter, Jeanie, was born shortly thereafter.
After Andy came home from the war, Jean helped him establish a rural medical practice in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country, acting as his assistant while he was getting started. During these years, Jean had two baby boys, Andy and Bill. When her husband rejoined the Navy to serve with the growing fleet of atomic subMarines, Jean and her family moved back and forth across the United States. Jean always made these moves fun new adventures for her children. In 1966, the family moved to Missoula, Montana, where Andy practiced radiology and Jean saw her children off to college, marriage, and in the case of son Bill, into a Benedictine monastery and the priesthood. Missoula remained Jean's family home until Andy's death in 2004.
Wherever her family moved, Jean was an active hospital volunteer until she became too arthritic to serve. She then became a Radio Reading Service volunteer until her vision became seriously impaired. After her husband died, Jean moved with her son, Fr. William Paul, to Sanborn, Iowa, where he served four rural parishes. Later they moved to Yankton, SD, where Fr. Paul taught at Mount Marty College and still serves the St. Agnes Parish at Sigel. Before suffering a series of strokes on August 24th, Jean lived at Avera Majestic Bluffs in independent and assisted living, where her kindness to people, quick wit, and ready conversation made her many friends among the residents, staff, and visitors.
Jean was a lifelong, devout Methodist before becoming a Catholic in 2007. She became a member of Sigel parish, but her weak condition prevented her from attending services there. Throughout her life, Jean's hobbies included the loving care of her family, reading, cross-stitch, knitting, cooking, oil painting, traveling, and skiing. She especially loved having her friends and family over for dinner.
Our beloved mother is survived by her children -- Jeanie and Victor Camp, of San Diego, CA; Andy and Leah McKane of Missoula, MT; and Fr. William Paul McKane, now of Yankton; and by her sister, Shirley Warburton, of Durham, NC; by her brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Maryann Burnet, of Beach Haven Park, New Jersey; and by her nieces and nephews, Woody, Stacy, Jody, and Bill. She will be deeply missed by all of us. May she rest in peace eternally.
Gayle Jean (Leet) McLean, 56, of Scottsdale, Ariz., and formerly of Sioux City, passed away Jan. 23, 2009. She was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on May 13, 1952. She is survived by her husband, Terry McLean; sister, Annette (Jerry) Kohoutek of Yankton, SD; sons, Chris (Amy) and their sons Spencer and Bradley, Ryan Jacobson of Phoenix, Evan McLean; and daughter, Sarah McLean Cannon (William) of Atlanta, Georgia. Gayle graduated from Riverside High School in 1970, from the St. Joseph Mercy School of Nursing in Sioux City in 1972, the Minneapolis School of Anesthesia in 1981, and the University of St. Francis in 1998. She served as a nurse and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist for 20 years and later as the office administrator for her husband's medical practice. Gayle also taught anesthesia courses to other practitioners; was an avid gardener and talented cook, and enjoyed traveling the world with her husband. She was predeceased by her parents, Ronald and Leone Leet, and step father Leonard Wright. A memorial service will be held on Sat., January 31 at 11 a.m. at Hansen Desert Hills Chapel, 6500 E. Bell Rd., Scottsdale. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be made to the Desert Mountain States Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 3877 N. 7th St., Suite 300, Phoenix, 85014. Arrangements entrusted to Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary, 480-991-5800.
