Obituary of Gary Sestak

SESTAK GARY

Gary Sestak, age 74 of Tabor, SD passed away unexpectedly, Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at his home.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Monday, January 22, 2024 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, SD with Rev. Tom Anderson officiating.  Burial will be in the parish cemetery, Tabor, SD with Military Graveside Rites by the Kortan-Hatwan American Legion Post #183 and the United Sates Army National Guard Honor Guard.  Visitations will be 5 to 6:30 PM, Sunday, January 21, 2024 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, SD with a Wake service at 6:30 PM.  Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.  The Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Tabor, SD is assisting the family with the funeral arrangements.  Online condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com.  Live streaming of Gary’s service can be found at: https://my.gather.app/remember/gary-sestak. 

Gary Adolph Sestak was born on November 30, 1949 to Adolph and Lillian (Travnicek) Sestak in Yankton, SD and was raised on his parent’s farm north of Tabor. He attended Tabor Elementary and graduated from Tabor High School in 1968. After high school, Gary enlisted in the United States Army on September 27, 1968. He served for three years, including 19 months in Okinawa, Japan as an Ignition and Carburation Mechanic, before being Honorably Discharged with a rank of Specialist Five on September 24, 1971. 

Gary married Marilyn Teply, the love of his life, during a beautiful windy day on April 17, 1971 at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Tyndall, SD.  Following his time in the military, Gary and Marilyn moved to Sioux Falls, SD where he spent 7 years as a mechanic at Locke Auto Electric Service before moving back to Tabor to farm in 1978 and raise a family.  Gary was blessed with three children and two grandchildren.

He was faith filled, outgoing, loved to laugh, and always had a smile on his face. As an engaging conversationist, Gary could strike up a conversation with anyone and was genuinely curious and interested with what they had to say. He enjoyed riding his Harley with Marilyn on rides around the community and trips across the country. In addition to farming, until the day of his death, he also spent 23 years as a school bus driver and was awarded the South Dakota School Bus Driver of the Year in 2013-2014. He brought lots of joy and laughter to his bus kids. Gary was a proud father and grandfather and loved spending time with his family, especially his granddaughters, Lauren and Olivia. 

His memory will always be cherished by his wife Marilyn; son Corey (Katherine) Sestak, Sioux Falls, SD; daughter Kristin (Christopher) Schuch, Tabor, SD; grandchildren Lauren and Olivia Sestak, Sioux Falls, SD; sister Pat Garner, Saint Paul, MN; sister Karen (Duke) Luebke, Garretson, SD; brother Terry (Eileen) Sestak, Tabor, SD; and many nieces and nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by Ryan Sestak (son); Adolph Sestak (father); Lillian Sestak (mother); Thomas Sestak (brother); Joseph (infant brother); and Ken Garner (brother-in-law).

Gary will stay in the hearts of many forever.