Mass of Christian Burial for George Kostelecky, age 79, of Lemmon, SD, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 11, 2013 at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lemmon. Fr. Tony Grossenburg will officiate with burial in Greenhill Cemetery in Lemmon.

Serving as active casket bearers are his grandchildren; Chad Odell, Lance Bloedel, JuRee Bloedel, Aaron Bloedel, Travis Bloedel, Joshua Sonn, Kiley Sonn, Frank Foster, Forrest Foster, Brendon Hintz, Chris Hintz, Crystal Arzu, Jessica Eich and Austin Eich.

Serving as honorary casket bearers are his great grandchildren; James Odell, Thadeus Odell, Cheyanne Odell, Max Bloedel, Tristan Ellison, Randi Ellison, Kale Bloedel, Cody Foster, Lexi Foster, Maddison Hintz, Ryder Sonn, and Aryn Arzu.

Special music will be provided by Suzie Dauwen.

GEORGE JAMES KOSTELECKY was born on August 24, 1934 at South Heart, ND to Wenzel and Mary (Haller) Kostelecky. He moved with his family to Lemmon in 1944 and they settled on a farm just south of town. George attended school in Lemmon and at an early age began farming with his parents.

On January 18, 1954, George was united in marriage to Violet Evans in Lemmon. Shortly after they were married, they moved to Hettinger, ND and George drove a Pepsi delivery truck, but only for a very short period. He had a passion for farming and knew early in life that is what he wanted to do. They decided to move back to Lemmon and rented a home for a few months while he farmed with his parents again. He and Vi purchased the former Joe German farm southwest of Lemmon. They farmed, ranched and raised their family there. In 1972, after the passing of his father, they purchased the original Kostelecky place south of Lemmon to add to the land that he farmed and ranched.

George retired in the mid 1990's and then in 2003 sold the farm and built a new home one-half mile south of Lemmon where he and Vi continued to spend their retirement years together. He enjoyed playing cards, fishing and having ""coffee time"" at The Pit Stop with the boys.

George passed away on Saturday evening, October 5, 2013 at his home south of Lemmon.

He is survived by his wife, Vi, of Lemmon; five daughters and sons-in-law, Pam (Dick) Bloedel, Ogden, UT, Vicky (Dave) Sonn, Lemmon, SD, Angie (Steve) Foster-Hintz, Phoenix, AZ, Gina (John) Kostelecky-Shankle, Corona, CA and Missy (David) Eich, Bridgewater, SD; 14 grandchildren and step-grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren and step-great grandchildren; and one sister and brother-in-law, Edith (Leon) Brodie, Lemmon, SD.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Richard ""Rick"" Kostelecky; and one brother, William ""Bill"" Kostelecky.

Visitation will on Thursday, October 10, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon.

A memorial has been established.