Obituary of Henry J. Malik

Henry (Hank) J. Malik, age 88 of Fort Collins, CO formerly of Yankton, SD passed away Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at Fort Collins Good Samaritan Center, Fort Collins, CO. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, February 25, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Yankton, SD with Rev. Larry Regynski officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Yankton, SD. Military graveside rites will be presented by the Ernst-Bowyer VFW Post #791 and the SDARNG Honor Guard. Visitations will begin at 5:00 PM, Friday, February 24, 2017 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, SD with a Rosary at 6:45 PM and a Scripture service to follow. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. On-line condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com. Pallbearers are Hank’s grandsons and honorary pallbearers are his granddaughters and per his special request, the 1950 Lesterville Boncs State Champion Baseball Team. Henry was born on September 15, 1928 to Edward and Clara (Kortan) Malik. He was raised in rural Utica on the family farm. After his father's death, when Hank was 15, he had to leave his schooling to help support his mom and sisters. It was difficult, but because of this he never shied away from hard work. He was very close to his sisters, Alice and Grace, and their bond remained strong throughout their lives. As a young man Henry played baseball. He was a pitcher and a pretty darn good one at that. Some of his best stories are of the games he pitched for the Lesterville Broncs. The highlight, of course, winning the State Championship in 1950. The friendships forged with that group of guys were lifelong. His love of baseball was evident when he built a baseball diamond for the neighborhood kids complete with a backstop, dugout, benches and chalk lines for base running. Upon Hank's return from Korea, he was offered the opportunity to try out with the Chicago Cubs organization based upon his pitching prowess while he was in the US Army. Hank proudly served his country during the Korean War when he entered on April 17, 1951 and was honorably discharged from service on March 28, 1953. The bond with his fellow servicemen was deep and lasted their lifetime. Hank loved to dance so it was only fitting that he met LaVerne, the love of his life, at a dance for “Free Bridge in ‘53” when the Meridian Bridge was no longer a toll. They were married on September 28, 1954 in Hartington, Nebraska. It was around this time Hank found his profession, that of being a plasterer. He operated his own plastering company for 30 years in Yankton. It was here where his four sons learned his work ethic and a skill that they all have used or continue using in their professions. Hank and Laverne raised 4 sons and 4 daughters in Yankton in a sometimes loud, but busy and loving home. Love and support were never in short supply. Somehow they made us all feel equally loved and appreciated for who we were. Hank and LaVerne moved to Rapid City, SD in 1985. We all have fond memories of time spent at the cabin in Rochford, SD. After 17 years in Rapid City they migrated back to Sioux Falls and then Yankton. As Alzheimer's began to steal Mom from us, we moved them to Fort Collins, CO where we could find the appropriate care for her. Dad chose to remain in Colorado after her death in 2010. He entered the Good Samaritan Nursing home in August 2014 and remained there until his death. Thanks to his daughter Jean and son, Doug and their families, his time in Colorado was made more bearable, because his real home was always South Dakota. Hank worked hard but loved life and knew how to have fun. Our home was filled with the music he enjoyed and dancing. We spent many evenings listening to his albums and he taught us all to do "the Twist". He enjoyed a dog for a companion, horsemanship and working in "the shop". His grandkids could tell many of “the grandpa stories”, and all sing the “donkey song”. We will miss him terribly but are comforted in knowing that Dad and Mom, his true "baby doll", are together again. Hank is survived by his eight children: Mary (Terry) Frick of Yankton, SD, Tom (Carla) Malik, Jim (Teresa) Malik, John (Mary) Malik and Sharon Sims, all of Rapid City, SD, Doug (Trish) Malik of Loveland, CO, Jean (Pat) Freismuth of Fort Collins, CO, Deanna (Jim) Sokolowski of Minneapolis, MN; 18 grandchildren: Molly (Justin) Satter, Jenny (Barry) Putzke, Justin (Danielle) Frick, Cody and Cassie Malik, Dylan and Whitney Malik, Dan (Shannon Gertz) and John Freismuth, Katy and Abby Sokolowski, Evan Sims and Hallie (Sam) Schnell, Ben and Olivia Malik and Carly (Cooper) Fitchner, Cameron and Madison Malik; 5 great-grandchildren: Maggie, Ryland, Alivia and Weston Satter and Ruby Putzke; his sister, Grace Diede, sisters-in- law, Donna Mae (Jean) Nuss and, Maurine (Stanley) Kronaizl and many nieces and nephews. Hank was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, LaVerne in 2010, a granddaughter. Katie Frick, grandson, Lucas Malik and son-in-law, Richard Sims, sister, Alice Vanorny and her husband Edwin, brother-in-law, Don Diede, brother and sister-in-law, Dick and Mary Ann Foerster. The family requests memorials to be directed to the Alzheimer's Association, 1000 N. West Avenue, #250, Sioux Falls, SD 57104