Obituary of Francis J. Horacek

Francis J. Horacek, 90, of Yankton, died peacefully in his home on Sunday, October 20, 2013. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Thursday, October 24, 2013 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Yankton, with Rev. Mark Lichter officiating. Burial of his cremated remains will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Yankton, with the Military Graveside Rites by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791 Honor Guard and the SDARNG Honor Guard. Visitations will begin at 5:00 PM, Wednesday, at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, with a rosary at 7:00 PM followed by a video tribute and then a Scripture service at 7:30 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Fran was born in Yankton, SD on October 16, 1923 to Benedict and Dolphie (Pecenka) Horacek where he lived and grew up with his four siblings: Ben, Alma, Alice, and Dolores. Fran stayed in Yankton after graduating high school when he attended Yankton College for two years before entering in WWII in 1943. After serving 3 years in the war, Fran attended South Dakota State University where he played baseball and ran track for the Jackrabbits. At SDSU he met the love of his life, Dolores Almond. They were married on November 11, 1950 in Miller, SD. They then moved to Yankton to start a family. Fran worked by cutting ice from the river and stored it in the icehouse for the next summer. He followed that job by working for Wonder Bread, became an insurance adjuster, and worked for the Job Service. In his spare time Fran played baseball for the Yankton Terry's. After living in Yankton for 20 years and raising 7 children, Fran and Dee moved to Kadoka, SD where they opened up The Mercantile Store. They lived in Kadoka for 14 years and moved back to Yankton to open a men's clothing store, The Outrigger. Upon retirement Fran enjoyed watching his grandchildren in their many activities and gave them life lessons along the way. In his spare time he enjoyed playing golf, working on crossword puzzles, and carving wood. All of Fran's family was proud of him in July of 2012 when he was inducted into the Yankton Baseball Hall of Fame. Fran's parents always taught him to get along with people and get along with the world and he hopes all live by those words. Fran is survived by his children: Lynne (Doug) Nelson of Yankton, SD, Matt Horacek of Harford, SD; Luke Horacek of Yankton, SD, Mary (Andy) Echtermeyer of Steamboat Springs, CO, Lisa Horacek of Steamboat Springs, CO, Margaret Stewart (Stewart Bass) of Yankton, SD and Jamie (Heidi) Horacek of Browns Park, UT; grandchildren: Jason (Jill Sternquist) Nelson, Heather (Justin) Olson, Sarah Horacek, Mason Horacek, Derrik Nelson, Jacob Stewart, Sam Stewart, Emma Stewart and James Stewart, all of Yankton, SD; and great-grandchildren: Easton and Xavier Nelson, Burkley, Mathea, and Oxford Olson.