Emil J. Travnicek

Emil J. Travnicek, age 92 of Yankton, SD passed away Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, SD. Memorial Service will be 2:00 PM, Saturday, February 21, 2015 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton, with Msgr. Carlton Hermann officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Yankton, SD. Visitations will be Friday evening with the family present from 5 to 7 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the funeral chapel.

Emil was born on September 15, 1922 in rural Tyndall, SD to Frank and Rose (Merkwan) Travnicek. On May 16, 1944, Emil was united in marriage to Gloria Gruis at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, SD. They farmed west of Tabor until 1977 before moving into Yankton. He enjoyed watching his son, Larry participating in pickup pulls, an occasional beer and listening to polka music.

Emil is survived by his grandson, Alan (Kathy) Travnicek of Omaha, NE; great grandson, Joshua Cecetka of Portland, OR; granddaughter, Jill Travnicek of Sioux Falls, SD; great granddaughter, Makayla Travnicek of Sioux Falls, SD; daughter-in-law, Sandy Travnicek of Yankton, SD; nieces and nephews: Pat Garner of Ames, IA, Gary (Marilyn) Sestak of Tabor, SD, Karen (Martin) Luebke of Garretson, SD, and Terry (Eileen) Sestak of Tabor, SD.

Emil was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria; his son, Larry Travnicek; great grandson, Jacob Adamson; brother, Joseph Travnicek; sister, Lillian Sestak and nephew, Tom Sestak.