Tillie  Tucek

CLERGY
Fr. Gerald Thury
Deacon Barry
CASKETBEARERS
John Herr
Mark Schlechter
Darren Schlechter
Tom Jezek
Randy Tucek
Terry Tucek
Tillie Marie Tucek was born on Sunday, August 8, 1915 to Anton and Frances (Jambor) Plihal on the homestead farm two miles north of Tyndall, South Dakota. Following her graduation from Tyndall High School, Tillie went on to earn her teaching certificate from Southern State Teacher’s College in Springfield in 1934. She taught at a one-room schoolhouse, Schmoll country school, where she had nine students and was paid $35 per month. On September 30, 1935, Tillie was united in marriage to Frank W. Tucek at Vodnany Catholic Church. Together they made their home on Frank’s family land two miles southeast of Tripp where they farmed and raised livestock and several different varieties of poultry. Though the farm kept them busy, Tillie and Frank still made time to enjoy their shared love of dancing by attending the local dances nearly every weekend. Tillie also spent many hours cooking, baking kolaches, and helping at the Good Samaritan Society of Tripp. She was also very active in Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Vodnany by volunteering to care for all the sewing needs of the church and serving on the Altar Society.
In 1977, Frank and Tillie retired from farming. Following Frank’s passing on February 22, 1987, Tillie moved into the apartments in Tripp. In June 1998, Tillie suffered a major stroke and later two mini strokes. On September 22, 1999, she decided it was time to make her new home at the Good Samaritan Society of Tripp. The home brought new opportunities and joys for Tillie. She kept active with daily workouts on the stationery bike, exercising her hands by embroidering dishtowels and baby blankets, as well as keeping her mind sharp with crossword puzzles, word finds, and Rummikub.
Tillie passed away on Thursday, November 5, 2015 at St. Benedict’s Hospital in Parkston having attained the age of 100 years, 2 months, and 28 days.
She is survived and remembered by her four children: James (Marilyn) Tucek of Mitchell, Sylvia (Lars) Jezek of Kaylor, Lillian (Paul) Schlechter of Scotland, and Eileen (Steve) Hardesty of Reno, NV; twelve grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband Frank, parents, and siblings: Frank, Amelia, Joseph, Ladislav, Annie, Elsie, Frances, Emil, Jerry, and Rudolph.