Donnley R. Dvoracek

Saturday July 4, 2020 Donnley Dvoracek loving husband, father and grandfather passed away at the age of 86 under hospice care at Bethany Retirement Living in Fargo, North Dakota with his family at his side.
Donnley was born to Charlie and Tillie (Jilek) Dvoracek Monday, October 16, 1933 on their family farm home five miles southwest of Tabor, South Dakota. He was the youngest of six children. He attended Bryne Country School for his primary education and graduated from Tyndall High School in 1952. He studied for two semesters of college in Springfield and helped his father farm. Donnley joined the Army in the fall of 1952. He was stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia and later sent to South Korea for two years. He was honorably discharged in the fall of 1956 and returned home to farm with his father.
Donnley met Pat while out dancing at the substation near Lesterville, SD and August 5, 1958 they were married in the Catholic church in Humboldt, South Dakota. They lived in a chalk rock house for nine years. Their first son, Mark, was born in 1959. Their second son Kevin followed in 1961. In 1967 they built a new house and their daughter Kimberly was born. Don and Pat worked side by side to raise corn, oats, hay, cattle and hogs as well as their young family. Some years were better than others, but Don and Pat always managed to stay ahead of the game.
In 1974, Donnley joined Alcoholics Anonymous and was a faithful member for 46 years. He developed many lasting friendships in the program and mentored others to maintain their own sobriety. He was also a lifetime member of the Yankton VFW, Knights of Columbus and the Tabor American Legion. In 2016, Donnley was awarded the Ambassador of Peace medal from the Republic of Korea.
Don was creative, loved to tinker and occasionally painted and played the accordion.
Donnley is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Tillie (Jilek); his brothers Charlie, Alvin and Leonard Dvoracek; his sisters Elsie Vitek and Madeline Schneider and his great grandson Chase Besette.
Donnley is survived by his wife Pat of 62 years, son Mark (Judy) Dvoracek of Fargo, ND; son Kevin Dvoracek of Sioux Falls, SD; daughter Kim (Mike) Suppa of West Fargo, ND; grandchildren Chrissy (Brad) Besette, Travis Dvoracek, Jesse, Courtney and Elizabeth Suppa and great granddaughter Hope Besette.