Obituary of Evelyn E. Patocka

Evelyn E. Patocka was born November 4, 1922 to John and Agnes (Blaha) Pesicka. She passed away April 13, 2023 after a life well lived. Evelyn attained the age of 100 years, 4 months and 13 days.

Evelyn grew up on the family homestead in Charles Mix County attending country school in White Swan Township. She married Roy Robert Patocka on October 29, 1947 in Lake Andes. Roy tragically died piloting a small plane that crashed along the Missouri River on August 13, 1961. For many years, she managed the local VFW Club. At age 90, she was still preparing meals for the Lakers Club organization. Evelyn was an active member in the auxiliaries for Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion. She held offices in both VFW Auxiliary #3239 and American Legion Auxiliary #10. She was a member of St. Mark's Catholic Church and Altar Society. She served as a Boy Scout Den Mother and Girls Scout Leader. She enjoyed cooking dinners and baking for her family with frequent requests for potato dumplings, cookies and Kolache. Her pastimes included league bowling, gardening, bingo and playing cards. In later years, she was an avid reader of Western novels and watched Gunsmoke on TV.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Roy; her sisters: Adeline, Wilhelmina, Irene, Alfreda; her brothers: Henry, Adolph, Louis; and son-in-law Roger Kozak. She is survived by her children: Patricia Kozak, Lucille (Mel) Thaler, Duane (Joan Hatcher) Patocka, Steven (Colette) Patocka, Susan (Joseph) Schultz, and Debra Smith. Survivors also include 7 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, July 29 at 10:30 am at St. Mark's Catholic Church in Lake Andes with burial to follow at Lakeview Cemetery.