Raymond J. Stepka

Raymond James Stepka was born on July 12, 1932 to James and Anna (Kocer) Stepka near Lesterville, South Dakota. He grew up on a farm by Joe’s Substation where he would spend a lot of his spare time. He attended Dewey grade school and Tabor school before the family moved to a farm north of Tyndall in 1948. He graduated from Tyndall High School in 1950. On March 12, 1953 he was drafted into the Army and was sent to Korea during the war. He was discharged from the service on December 31, 1954. He then attended Springfield Southern College for two years studying in the fields of auto mechanics and carpentry. Following college he did numerous mechanic repairs for neighbors and friends and helped with the family farm, eventually taking over the farm. On June 1, 1968, Ray married Marlene Honomichl at Dante Catholic Church. They lived on the farm north of Tyndall and became members of St. Leo’s Catholic Church. Together they had three children: Beverly, Yvette, and Kevin. Ray really enjoyed farming and continued to farm as long as he could.
In his spare time Ray enjoyed playing softball at Tabor and Tyndall. He bowled in Tyndall for Al’s Bar and Winckler Soft Water. He was quite the bowler and his teams won quite a few trophies and tournaments.
Ray passed away on Monday June 4, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society of Tyndall having attained the age of 85 years, 10 months, and 23 days.
He is survived and remembered by his wife of 50 years, Marlene, and children Beverly of Alcester,SD, Yvette of Yankton, SD, and Kevin (Leann) Stepka of Tyndall, SD; also his sister Betty (Duane) Siewert of Avon, SD; grandchildren Thadeus and Alyssa Giedd, Wyatt, Ty, and Grant Stepka; aunts Agnes Kocer and Irene Kocer; cousins, nephews, and a niece.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Helen (Nilas) Koupal, Ann (Les) Johnson, and Dorothy (Elmer) Walloch; and parents-in-law Joe and Hattie Honomichl.