Sanford J. Pechous

Sanford J. Pechous, age 92, passed away August 26, 2015 at the Freeman Regional Health Services Hospital, Freeman, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Monday, August 31, 2015 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, SD with Father Steven Jones officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery with Military Graveside Rites by the Kortan-Hatwan American Legion Post # 183 Honor Guard and the U.S. Navy Funeral Honor Guard. Visitations will begin at 5:00 PM on Sunday, August 30, 2015 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, SD with a Wake service at 7:30 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Tabor, SD. On-line condolences may be sent at: www.opsahlkostelfuneralhome.com. Sanford was born September 27, 1922 in Tabor, SD to James and Katherine (Hlavac) Pechous. He was baptized in 1948 in Tabor. Sanford attended rural Vlasak School until the eighth grade and enlisted in the Navy on November 21, 1942 and served on the USS Lexington during WWII. He received the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon (7 Stars), American Area Ribbon, Victory Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Ribbon (2 Stars) and the Good Conduct Ribbon. He was discharged on July 28, 1946. Sanford married Leona Carda on October 19, 1948 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Tabor, SD and to this union four children were born.    Sanford was a self-employed farmer for 37 years in Tabor, SD. He was a lifetime member of American Legion #183 and past commander, former director for Tabor Lumber Coop, lifetime member of ZCBJ and VFW in Yankton, SD. He was also a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Tabor, SD. After retirement in 1985, Sanford and Leona moved to Yankton. Sanford liked working with his hands; he made numerous lawn decorations that he shared with family and friends. He also refinished antique furniture. Sanford loved to dance to polka music with his wife, Leona, playing cards, visiting with friends and loved family get-togethers. Sanford is survived by his wife, Leona of Yankton, SD; daughters, Rebecca Fryda of Springfield, SD and Cynthia (Nick) Buechler of Colorado Springs, CO; sons, Richard (Kris) Pechous of Tabor, SD and Robert (Nancy) Pechous of Tabor, SD; grandchildren: David and Lisa Fryda, Chris, Jason and Scott Buechler, Michael and Corey Pechous, Jacquie Schneider, Justin, Kyle and Jennifer Pechous; great-grandchildren: Jacob, Ben, Mary and Ari Buechler, Taylor Steineke, Miyah and Jordan Pechous, Dommonick Pechous, Weston Pechous, Catelynn Camarena, Gracie and Georja Pechous and Blake and Olivia Pechous; brothers, Raymond Pechous of Deadwood, SD and Laddie Pechous of Tabor, SD and sister, Evelyn Nohava of Tyndall, SD.   Sanford was preceded in death by his parents, James and Katherine; step-mother, Frances (Vanecek) Pechous; brothers: Joe, Emil, Lawrence, Leo and Donald Pechous; sisters, Rose Koletzky and Violet Mahachek and son-in-law, D. J. Fryda.