Obituary of Marlene Kostal

KOSTAL MARLENE

Marlene D. Kostal, age 92 of Tabor, SD passed away early Sunday, April 06, 2025 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Thursday, April 10, 2025 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, SD with Rev. Darrin Schmidt officiating.  Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitations will be 5 to 7 PM, Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at the Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Tabor, SD with a rosary at 6:45 PM followed by a Scripture service at 7:00 PM.  Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.  On line condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com. 

Marlene Benes was born on December 31, 1932 in Tabor to Charles and Lillian (Pechan) Benes in Tabor.  She attended Elementary and High School in Tabor.

At age 8, under the sponsorship of Angie Matuska, she converted and joined St Wenceslaus Parish.

Marlene married Raymond Kostal on June 22, 1953.  They farmed near Tabor for a few years before moving to the family farm near Tyndall, where they stayed until retirement to Tabor.  They raised three children: Kay, Jerry and Ann.

Marlene, as a child, was one of the original Beseda Dancers.  She was also blessed with a beautiful singing voice.  Since high school, she sang for countless weddings, funerals, and special events.  A highlight was the opportunity to play the role of the Reverend Mother in the Lewis and Clark production of the Sound of Music.

Marlene worked at Sacred Heart Hospital in the purchasing department.  She was an active member of the American Legion Axillary, The Altar and Rosary Society, and The Czech Heritage Society.

Marlene was grateful to share her life with her husband Ray, her children Kathryn (Jim) Fillaus, Jerome (Elaine) Kostal, and Ann (Todd) Church, and her grandchildren Jennifer (John) Felger, Angie (Zach) Porter, Jill (Jared) Hohn, Mike, (Erica) Kostal, Jimmy (Heather) Fillaus, Matt (Casey) Kostal, John (Abby) Church, and David Church.  To them, she will forever be known as Grandma Sunshine.  She was blessed to have 11 great grandchildren: Ava and Adam Hohn, Max and Charlie Porter, Simon and Jude Fillaus, Oliver Kostal, Emma and Elyse Felger, Mona Church, and Macy Kostal.  Her nephews and nieces, John, Steve, Pat, Elaine, Janice, and Don have been cherished family members.

Marlene was preceded in death by her husband Ray, and her parents, Charles and Lillian Benes.