Obituary of Donald J. Zavadil

Donald J. Zavadil, age 92, of Yankton, SD passed away early Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at the Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Monday, June 3, 2013 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Yankton, with Rev. Ken Lulf officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Yankton, with Military Graveside Rites by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791 Honor Guard and the SDARNG Honor Guard. Visitations will begin at 5:00 PM, Sunday evening at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, with a rosary at 7:00 PM followed by a Scripture service at 7:30 PM with the Patriot Guard Flag Line in attendance. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church Donald Zavadil was born August 26, 1920 to Frank and Rosena Zavadil at home. He attended District Number 112 through the eighth grade and then began working on the family farm near Fordyce, Nebraska. Donald entered the United States Army September 15, 1942 and served under George S. Patton in the North African Campaign. Donald fought on the front lines in Tunisia, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, North Apennines and the Po Valley. At the time of his honorable discharge on October 16, 1945 he was a member of the 13th tank Battalion having served previously in the 86th Regiment of the infamous 10th Mountain Division. On July 10th, 1950 Donald married Helen Huntley at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton, SD. They lived and farmed 32 years on a farm northeast of Crofton Nebraska and raised 6 children. In addition to raising crops and livestock, he enjoyed repairing farm machinery and had operated his own repair shop overhauling tractors. Donald also enjoyed attending Czech ethnic music festivals and liked listening to polka music. Donald enjoyed target shooting and hunting in his free time and belonged to the citizen band radio club. Donald retired from farming in 1981 and moved to Yankton where he continued to work a variety of part time jobs. One job Don particularly enjoyed was being a greeter for K-Mart. Due to failing health Donald entered the Sister James Nursing home in the Fall of 2010 where he resided until his death. While living at the nursing home he enjoyed talking with staff and residents and playing bingo as well as taking short community excursions. He especially liked Sundays when his sons would take him for drives out in the country to look at the crops and enjoy the scenery. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Helen of Yankton, SD; children: Karen of New Berlin, Wi, Therese of Phoenix, AZ, Bob & Jeanie of Yankton, SD, Mary and Keven Kopecky of Desoto, Kansas, Frank and Dawn of Yankton, SD; and Pam and Duncan Gallagher of Minneapolis, MN; many grandchildren; and one sister, Lucille Arens of Yankton, SD. Donald was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Wilfred.