Carol J Kocer

Carol Jean Kocer, age 82, of Yankton, South Dakota, formerly of Tabor, South Dakota, passed away peacefully at her home in Yankton on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, with her loving family by her side. After a courageous battle with cancer that spanned several years, Carol remained a woman of remarkable strength, grace, and quiet determination, never allowing her illness to define her.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7, at Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home in Yankton. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 8, at the American Legion in Tabor.

Carol was born on January 23, 1944, in Yakima, Washington, to Merl and Viola (Arionus) Coles. She graduated from Tabor High School in 1962. On August 16, 1974, she married the love of her life, Larry Kocer. The couple made their home on a farm near Tabor before moving into town four years later, where they built a life centered on family, friends, and community.

Carol worked for many years as a cook at Tabor Elementary School, where she enjoyed serving the students and staff. She also spent time bartending at local establishments in Tabor, making many lifelong friendships along the way.

Family was the center of Carol's life. She cherished every opportunity to spend time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She especially loved receiving photos and text messages from her family and was always eager to keep up with everyone's lives.

Carol enjoyed playing cards with her card club and friends and was an avid reader who made frequent trips to the library. She loved fishing, loved spending time by the water, attending ball games, and cheering on her grandchildren at their activities. For more than 50 years, she faithfully supported the Tabor Bluebirds, watching both her husband, Larry, and later her son, Steve, play. Many of their anniversaries were spent at the State Baseball Tournament in Mitchell, a tradition they cherished, never passing up the chance to enjoy one of the tournament's terrific hamburgers with onions. Each Memorial Day, after visiting the cemeteries in Tabor and Scotland to honor loved ones, Carol looked forward to catching up with her former Scotland classmates, a tradition she treasured. She was also a devoted Alabama Crimson Tide football fan and proudly cheered, "Roll Tide!"

Those left to cherish her memory are her loving husband, Larry Kocer of Yankton; her children, Brian (Jorja) Fejfar of Yankton, South Dakota, Steve (Michelle) Fejfar of Elk Point, South Dakota, and Kimberly (Joel) Kennedy of Waukee, Iowa; her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many extended family members and dear friends.

Carol was preceded in death by her daughter, Susan Fejfar; grandson Tyler Fejfar, her parents, Merl and Viola Coles, her parents-in-law, Raymond and Irene Kocer; and her brother Merl Coles Jr.

Carol will be remembered for her kind heart, unwavering love for her family, steadfast faith, devotion to her community, quick wit and wonderful sense of humor, and the joy she found in life's simple pleasures. Her love, laughter, and the countless smiles she brought to others will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.