Obituary of Ivan J. Vitek

Ivan J. Vitek age 97, of Tabor, SD, passed away late Thursday, May 14, 2015 at Avera Yankton Care Center, Yankton, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Yankton, SD with Rev. Ken Lulf officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Yankton, SD with Military graveside rites by Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791 Honor Guard, Kortan-Hatwan American Legion Post #183, and the SDARNG Honor Guard. Visitations will begin at 4:00 PM, May 19, 2015 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, SD with a rosary at 7:00 PM and Scripture service at 7:30 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers will be Kevin Hynes, Bryan Fuks, Dan Guthmiller, Doug Holland, Jeff Fuks, Travis Vitek, and Dennis Walloch. Honorary pallbearers will be Shane Stredde, Brett Stredde, Forest Stredde, Richard Walloch, Roger Marek, Deb MacDonald, and Jean Peitz. Ivan was born on February 18, 1918 to John and Anna (Hale) Vitek on the family farm in rural Tabor, SD, and the 10th of 10 children. He attended grade school at St. Wenceslaus Grade School and Blachnik School #26 and continued his education to Tabor High School. From 1944-1946, Ivan served his country during WWII in the United States Army spending time in Kodiak, Alaska. He was united in marriage to Albina Walloch at St. George's Catholic Church on May 6, 1947 and from this union two daughters were born: Patricia and Charlotte. He enjoyed Sunday drives at any time and watching grandkids in their activities. Ivan also enjoyed playing softball with the Tabor Jets and was a Minnesota Twins fan. In 2012, he and Deon Stredde took an Alaskan Cruise and in 2013, he took his last trip to Idaho. Ivan was a lifetime member of the Kortan-Hatwan American Legion Post #183 of Tabor and the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791 of Yankton. Ivan was very honored and excited to be on the very first honor flight to Washington DC from South Dakota. This was Ivan's first time in an airplane. Those who will cherish his memory are his two daughters, Patricia Fuks of Tabor, SD and Charlotte Vitek of Yankton, SD; 6 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren: Lisa (Kevin) Hynes and children: Patrick, Thomas, Michael, and Erin all of Murdock, NE; Michelle Wriedt and children, Tyler and Josiah of Norfolk, NE; Bryan (Christy) Fuks and granddaughter, Avery of Scotland, SD; Jeff (Mindy) Fuks and children: Chesney and Bailee Fuks and Gabriel Turpin of Arlington, SD; Jessica (Dan) Guthmiller and children: Lane, Eric, and Abby of Menno, SD; Tara (Doug) Holland and children: Devin Golden and Brody and Rylie Holland all of Yankton, SD; great granddaughter, Courtney (Cody) Shaeffer of Fairbanks, AK; and many nieces and nephews. Ivan was preceded in death by his wife, Albina on May 22, 2004, his parents, sisters: Pauline Houpt, Anna Van Beek, Mary Dvoracek, and Marcella Pechous, brothers: Daniel, James, Joseph, William and John, son-in-law, John Fuks and in-laws: James and Della Walloch, Lawrence Walloch, and Marcella Marek.