Obituary of Hugh W. Luark

LUARK HUGH

Hugh W. Luark, age 72 of Yankton, SD passed away in the early morning hours on September 11, 2024, under in-home hospice care after a year-long courageous battle with liver disease and other health issues. Memorial services will be 2:00 PM, Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Onsite Crematory, Yankton, SD.  Visitations will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Online condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com. 

Hugh was born on February 1, 1952, in Cheyenne, WY, to Hugh and Ellen Luark.  Eventually the Luark family moved on to the Greeley and Evans, CO, area.  Hugh attended school in Evans, CO, worked hard as a kid on the family farm, as well as various dishwashing jobs in local restaurants.  When Hugh was 16, he started his career in roofing.  This profession lasted for 50 years.

In the early 1970s he met and married Carol McDonnell.  To this union 2 children were born--Hughie Luark and Billie Jo Luark.

 After his divorce he met and married Phyllis (Dolly) Blake.  Hugh welcomed her 2 sons from a previous marriage—David Blake and Jason Reck.  This union would last for 44 ½ years. David and Jason worked with Hugh Roofing for several years.

Hugh loved NFL football and horse racing, especially The Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont.  He always wanted to pick the triple crown winner but never did. Hugh also enjoyed watching old Westerns on television—Gunsmoke, The Rifleman, Rawhide, Wagon Train, Have Gun Will Travel, and many others. He was not much to socialize.  He enjoyed working and coming home, relaxing and watching television.

Hugh was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh and Ellen Luark, his grandparents, and his great-grandparents.  He is survived by his wife Dolly and his siblings Patricia Luark, Mary Ann Royce, Jeannie (Mike) Johnson, James Luark, Alice Luark, and Andy (Cynthia) Luark; by his children Hughie and Billie Jo Luark; by his stepsons David (Kate Doering) Blake, Jason (Crystal Schneider) Reck; by his grandson Devon (Bridget Brave) Blake; by great-grandson Joshua Blake; by many nieces and nephews; and by great-nieces and great-nephews.

Rest in peace, Babe.  You will always be with me.  Love you forever.

-Dolly

Condolences may be mailed to 414 Burleigh St., Yankton, SD 57078.