Kenneth D. Dvorak, 92 of Wagner

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at St. John Catholic Church, with inurnment in the ZCBJ Cemetery, rural Wagner. Wake services will be 7:00 p.m. Monday at the church.

Kenneth D. Dvorak, youngest son of 13 children born to Joseph W. and Mary (Chytka) Dvorak, was born September 19, 1923 on a farm near Wagner, SD. He died peacefully Friday, March 25, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Society in Wagner. Ken attained the age of 92 years, six months and seven days.

Ken attended country school near Ravinia through the eighth grade. He spent 55 years of his life farming and ranching on his place of birth, where he raised purebred Hereford cattle.

Ken was united in marriage to Ruth Rose Pesicka on October 23, 1945. One son, Joseph D. "Jody", was blessed to their union.

Ken was a member of the Ft. Randall, South Dakota and American Hereford Associations. Through the years, he acquired many friends who had so much in common, they were often referred to as "true friends" where business transactions were usually closed with a handshake.

Ken spent much of his available time with community services. He served on the Highland #32 Rural School Board, Highland Township Board, ambulance and cemetery boards. For 18 years, Ken was the supervisor of the Charles Mix Conservation District. He also several terms as RC & D District councilman, the Fort Randall Randall Conservation Sub-District, and the Ft. Randall Water Development District. Ken was very devoted and instrumental in the development of the Randall Community Water District, which is the source of water supply in Charles Mix County and parts of some of neighboring counties. He served for seven years as chairman of this group.

It was not by choice that Ken left his lifelong dream of ranching, which he often referred to as "the good life". He had the misfortune of being injured and felt that he no longer continue his love of ranching. Ken and Ruth then built a home in Wagner. Not seeking full retirement, but needing something less physical, Ken became active in the Wagner City government, serving on the City Council and later being elected as Mayor of Wagner, where he served two consecutive terms and four year later an additional two year term.

Ken was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Wagner.

Thankful for having shared his life are his wife, Ruth of Wagner; son Joseph "Jody" and wife Denelle of Pickstown; four granddaughters: Angie Brown, Jennifer Vail, Sara Debeaumont and Jorden Dvorak; one step grandson, Travis Morgan; three great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers: William, Roy, Joseph, Ed, Emil and Lloyd; and six sisters: Vlasta Wagner, Sylvia Musilek, Rose Walters, Mary Mudder, Clara Swatos and Elsie Goranson.