William Thomas Kafka

William (Bill) Thomas Kafka, age 84 of Yankton passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 07, 2014 at the Sanford Vermillion Care Center, Vermillion with family by his side.

Memorial services will be at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton with Rev. Ron Johnson officiating. Burial of Bill's cremated remains will be at 3:00 PM at the Garden of Memories with military graveside rites by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791 Honor Guard and the South Dakota Army National Guard Honor Guard, Sioux Falls. Visitations will be from 5-7 PM, Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton with the family present. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the funeral chapel.

William (Bill) Thomas Kafka was born Aug 4, 1930 in Wagner, SD to Thomas and Gwyneth (McMartin) Kafka and grew up on a farm south of Wagner. He was confirmed in the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Dante. He graduated from Wagner High School in 1949, joined the Army in January, 1951 and served in the Korean War. He married Anna Marie Beeson on December 30, 1952 in Dante. He returned from his leave to Michigan to finish out his service, and was later deployed to Germany for a year. He was discharged in January, 1954. In 1964 Bill moved to Yankton with his family. He married Delores (Gawith) Crumrine on July 14, 1978. He was employed with Gurney's Seed & Nursery and Drotzman Trucking. In 1977, he started his own business, Trucker's Bookkeeping. In 1985, he sold his business due to his health. He was a member of the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791 and served as Quartermaster from 1978-1981.

He is survived by 7 children: 5 daughters: Kathy (Paul) Schwader of LeMars, IA, Theresa (Jamie) Mohr of Sioux Falls, SD, Mary (Jim) Lukkes of Avon, SD, Jean (Mike) Miller of Seneca, NE, Susan Shutt of Yankton, SD, 2 sons: Doug Kafka of Crookston, NE, and Tim (Bev) Kafka of Kansas City, MO; 3 Stepsons: David (Diane) Crumrine of Sioux Center, IA, Doug (Sara) Crumrine of Newton, KS, and Darrell (Denise) Crumrine of Balaton, MN; a brother, Richard (Clara) Kafka of Wagner; 14 grandchildren, 10 step grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Robert; twin infant sons, John and Michael, grandson, Tyler Button, great-granddaughter, Angel Neddo, and his first wife, Ann.

Memorials can be directed to Children's Care Hospital, 2501 West 26th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57105.