Obituary of Archie J. Vavra

VAVRA ARCHIE

Archie J. Vavra, age 77 of Yankton, SD passed away Sunday, May 26, 2024 at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, SD.  Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Yankton, SD with Rev. Tom Anderson officiating.  Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Yankton, SD with Military Graveside Rites by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791 and the SDANGHG.  Visitations will be 5 to 7 PM, Monday, June 3, 2024 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Onsite Crematory, Yankton, SD with a Scripture service at 7:00 PM.  Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.  Online condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com. 

Archie was born November 2, 1946 to John and Theresa (Peterka) Vavra.  He attended elementary school at the Peterka District 46 rural school.  Archie graduated from Yankton High School in 1964 and following graduation, attended the University of South Dakota until joining the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1971. From April 1968 to April 1969, Archie served in the Vietnam War as a Morse Code Interceptor with the 374^th Radio Research Company, 4^th Infantry Division.

While serving in the U.S. Army, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Good Conduct Medal; Two Overseas Bars; Air Medals and was a M-14 Marksman Expert.  Arch’s Vietnam unit, the 374^th Radio Research Company was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation, and a unit award of the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm.  Following his honorable discharge, Archie returned to the University of South Dakota and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism in August, 1973.

Archie will be remembered for his charm, wit, and ability to make people laugh with his honest sarcasm, along with his passion for history, reading, and airplanes.  In his younger years, he received his pilot’s license and was known to “nosedive” the family farm on occasion.  

Archie is survived by his brother, John E. (Jean) Vavra of Utica, SD, and sister, Pat Mulloy of

Yankton, SD along with many nieces and nephews and his furry German Shepherd companion, Ike.

Archie was preceded in death by his parents, John and Theresa Vavra; Grandparents Joe and Vlasta Vavra and James and Sophie Peterka; brother-in-law, Mark Mulloy; infant nephew Patrick Thomas Vavra and two beloved furry companions, Buddy and Omar.