Francis Lhotak, 75, of Wagner

Visitation will be Wednesday at the East Lake Andes Lutheran Church from 5:30 to 7 PM, followed by a Celebration of Francis' Life at 7 PM. Funeral services are 10:30 AM, Thursday, August 19, 2021 at St. John's Catholic Church in Wagner, followed by military honors.

Francis Lhotak was born December 6, 1945 at Omaha, NE, the son of Rudy and Anna (Cuka) Lhotak. He died Saturday, August 14, 2021 at his home in Wagner after a courageous 15 year battle of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Francis graduated from Wagner High School in 1964. He served in the Army National Guard.

Francis married Janet Hrdlicka on November 16, 1968 at St. John's Catholic Church in Wagner. He farmed on the family farm his entire life. Farm life was very important to him.  Many people in the community knew him for having the strongest work ethic around.

Francis was a member of the American Legion, St. John's Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Wagner Saddle Club, NFO and was a former Boy Scout.

Francis will be remembered for his love of the outdoors, hunting, fishing, root beer floats, farm auctions, working with cattle and discing the fields. He taught his family how to work hard and he would do anything to help anyone.

Thankful for having shared his life are his wife Janet of Wagner; two daughters: Stacy (Michael) Frost of Brandon and Jodi (Martie) Kost of Rapid City; son Brad (Jen) Lhotak of Wagner; daughter-in-law Gina Lhotak of Tyndall; 12 grandchildren: Kelsey, Hannah and Jacob Frost, McKinsey, Kolby and Delaney Kost, Bradyn, Karstyn and Jazlyn Lhotak, and Hunter, Roper and Bailer Lhotak; two brothers: Don (Judy) Lhotak of Box Elder and Ken Lhotak of Wagner; sister Rita Remme of Wagner; and many relatives and friends.

Francis was preceded in death by his son Jeremy, parents, and sister-in-law, Toni Lhotak.