Obituary of Roman J. Drotzmann

Roman (Romain) J. Drotzmann, age 87, of Yankton, passed away peacefully from this earth on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Monday, November 4, 2013 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Yankton, SD with Rev. John Rutten officiating. Burial will be in the St. Agnes (Sigel) Cemetery, rural Utica, SD at approximately 1:30 PM with military graveside rites by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791 Honor Guard, Yankton and the SDARNG Honor Guard, Sioux Falls. Visitation will from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Sunday, November 3, 2013 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton with a 7:00 PM Rosary, video tribute and Scripture service at 7:30 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers are: Jared Drotzmann, Shawn Wylie, Shane Wylie, Brandon Wylie, Michael Drotzmann, Howard Kathol, Scott Cameron, Craig Drotzmann, and Steve Drotzmann. Honorary Pallbearers are Whitney Wylie, Sophie Drotzmann, Jeff Wylie, and Nicolle Johnson. Roman John was born on August 15, 1926 to Fred and Sophia (Moneke) Drotzmann at Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton. Because of complications from Roman's birth, his mother passed away 2 days later. Roman was raised his first 2 years by his father and his father's sister, Theresa Yaggie. His father married Frances Kast. 4 brothers and 2 sisters were born to this union. Roman attended school the first 2 years at Sacred Heart School, where he made his first communion. He then attended Kietzman School through eighth grade at which time he was then needed to work on the farm. Roman was inducted in the Army in November 1950 and was a member of the 549th Engineers stationed in California and Alaska during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged from the Army in November 1952. On December 31, 1949 Roman met Frances Zdenek at a dance and they were married on December 28, 1953. Roman and Frances lived on a farm north of Yankton and eventually moved to the Drotzmann homestead in February 1961, where they resided until October 2001, becoming the 3rd generation on the family farm. Roman and Frances worked side by side on the farm where they raised cattle and hogs, in addition to crops of corn, oats, and alfalfa. To their union was born Ann, Ruth, and Jim, along with 7 little angels. Their first family vacation was taken in August 1970 and traveled the western and southern states. Roman and Frances enjoyed many of Jim's baseball games and trips over the years he played. In later years they also enjoyed many of Roman's army reunion trips that they attended throughout the Midwest. Their final trip together was to a sister-in-law's funeral in Yakima, WA in April 2000. He loved when the grandchildren came to visit or could babysit them for a week at a time, and always took them for rides on the tractor. Family get togethers always included a rousing game of Euchre with his dad and brothers or whoever else dared to join in the fun. They also played many a card game of whist with Mildred and Gerry Cameron. Roman and Frances celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on December 28, 2003. Roman entered the Avera Sister James Care Center in January 2005. Roman was a longtime member of St. Agnes Catholic Church - Sigel, where he was confirmed, was a member of the church council, and was one of the church's first lectors when lay people first started participating in the services. He gave 17 years of service to the Walshtown Township Board and was a member of the Yankton County Soil Conservation District. He was secretary of both the Bohemian Farm Mutual Insurance Company and the Yankton Farmers Coop Association, and a member of the Kietzman School Board prior to the school closing. Those left to cherish his memory are his children: Ann Drotzmann of Yankton, SD, Ruth (late Keith) Wylie of Sioux Falls, SD, and Jim Drotzmann of Yankton, SD; grandchildren: Jared Drotzmann, Shawn, Shane (Jaclyn), Brandon (Maggie), and Whitney Wylie, Sophie and Michael Drotzmann; 2 step-grandchildren, Jeff Wylie and Nicolle (Chris) Johnson; great grandchildren, Malick, Cragar, and Laramie Wylie, and twin great grandsons expected to arrive in January. He is also survived by 2 sisters, Alice Drotzmann and Mary Ann Kathol, both of Yankton, SD; 3 brothers: Joe (Dorothy) Drotzmann, and John Drotzmann, both of Ellensburg, WA; and Harold (Mary) Drotzmann of Sergeant Bluff, IA; 1 sister-in-law, Mildred (Alvin) Zimmerman of Crofton, NE; in addition to many relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances in 2005, son-in-law, Keith Wylie in 2007, his parents and step-mother, brother, Dennis, his 7 little angels, and other extended family members. May he rest in peace. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be directed to Avera Sister James Care Center at the Avera Sacred Heart Foundation, 1000 w 4th Street, Suite 14, Yankton, SD 57078, or to a charity of your choice.