Obituary of Arnold J. Vitek

Arnold J. Vitek, age 80, of Yankton, SD passed away Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at Avera Yankton Care Center, Yankton, SD. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton, SD with Rev. Dave Gunderson officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Yankton, SD. Visitations will begin one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Pallbearers are: Tyler Novak, Katie Novak, Jordan Vitek, Carrie Vitek, Derek Vitek, Nichole Vitek and Laci Nettleton. Honorary pallbearers are: Nick Gaden, Colin & Amanda Reisner, Andrea Reisner, Royce Reisner, Billy Zeigler, Michael Martinez and Kyle Anderson. Arnold J. Vitek was born July 18, 1935 in Lesterville, SD to Emil and Caroline (Hlavak) Vitek. He attended country school in Lesterville until eighth grade. He was confirmed and baptized at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Lesterville. He served a short time in the Army. Arnold married Dolores Shaw on February 11, 1958 in Tabor, SD and to this union until her untimely death in 1981. To this union, three children were born. In 1982 he met his special friend, Sonja Reisner and her four children and lived together until her death in 1998. Arnold farmed in Lesterville, SD until 1975 when they moved to Yankton, SD. He worked at the South Dakota Human Services from 1974 until his retired in 1997. Arnold then did lawn care, snow removal and some painting for several years until his health no longer allowed him to. He went to Avera Yankton Care Center on July 28, 2015 until his death as he was diagnosed with brain cancer. Arnold is survived by his sons: Douglas Vitek of Lexington, NE, Darrell (Fay) Vitek of Yankton, SD and Dale (Denise) Reisner of Yankton, SD; daughters: Valerie (Allen) Novak of Yankton, SD, Debbie Reisner of Sioux Falls, SD, Vicky Zeigler of Yankton, SD and Sandy (Dan) Anderson of Yankton, SD; six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and sister, Mavis Koch of Wynot, NE. Arnold was preceded in death by his wife, Dolores Vitek, parents, grandparents, special friend of 16 years, Sonja Reisner and brother-in-law, Donald Koch.