Beverly Yvonne Kreber

Beverly Papik Kreber, age 87, passed away on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, after a brief illness. 

Visitation will be held 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a 7 p.m. prayer service, Friday, February 16 at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Tyndall. The funeral Mass is Saturday, February 17 at 2 p.m., also at St. Leo's. Interment will be at St. Leo’s Catholic Cemetery, Tyndall.

Beverly was born during a blizzard on January 12^th, 1937 at home in Tyndall to Ed and Molly [Schema] Papik. She was the first grandbaby to Emil and Emma Papik and first niece to Joe, Otto, Adeline, Roy and Emil Papik of Tabor, so of course they drove to Tyndall in the blizzard to see the new addition. Beverly spent most of her life in Tyndall where she went to school and developed lifelong friendships but especially dear to her were — Helen Hersman Ferwerda, Donna Ptak and Irene Schuch Magera. They enjoyed speaking Czech during class and getting in trouble with their teachers.

In high school she became good friends with Carol Kreber Ferguson who introduced Bev to her brother, Jack Kreber. Beverly graduated from Tyndall High School in May of 1955. She then went on to the Sacred Heart School of Nursing in Yankton, graduating in May of 1958. Beverly and Jack Kreber were married on August 18th of 1959 at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Tyndall. Beverly spent most of her nursing career at the Human Services Center in Yankton, as a staff nurse and nursing supervisor, until her retirement. She had many interesting stories of her time there and dearly enjoyed her co-workers and staff. 

Beverly enjoyed cooking and baking. There was always something on the counter to eat and cookies in the cookie jar. She usually had a garden, did some sewing and enjoyed board games, puzzles and card games, especially Pinochle and Chinese checkers. She didn't like to lose and wouldn't let you win because you were a kid or grandkid. "Grammas are supposed to win," she would say. On retirement Beverly started raising Siamese and Persian cats in her "Cat Houses" on the farm. She started collecting dolls and went to estate auctions and farm sales, enjoying the competitive bidding and people she met. Beverly really liked the Czech Days kiddie parade. Her kids were not allowed a choice and had to participate. Once she had grandkids, they also were in the kiddie parade. She was proud of all her little Czech Princes and Princesses, eventually obtained the top prize of a Czech Day Queen with daughter Jennifer. Beverly loved her German Shepard dog Macy and cat Mitzi. She was very proud of her kids and grandkids and kept close tabs on them.

Beverly is survived by her children: Debra [Joe] Sokolowski, Wakonda, John [Kim] Kreber, Jefferson, Michelle [Gary] Dvoracek, Springfield, Charles Kreber, Springfield, Jeff Kreber, Tabor and Jennifer [Dr. James] Torsney, Tyndall; many nieces and nephews on the Kreber side and several cousins on the Papik side. Grandchildren include: Kyle and McKenzie Kreber, Jefferson, Justin and Jackie Kreber, Jefferson, Brianne and Colby Fitzgerald, Dell Rapids, McKenzie and Ryan Randall, Chamberlain, Derrik and Kelsey Dvoracek, Springfield, Garrett and Shawna Dvoracek, Tyndall, Katie and Luke Heine, Vermillion, Daniel and Becca Sokolowski, Sioux Falls, Lauren and Robbie Heine, Wakonda, Andrea Sokolowski, Burbank, Brendan Sokolowski, Worthing, Shannon Sokolowski, Wakonda, Elyse, Taryn and Ian Torsney, Tyndall and Bella, Brina, Braden and Braxton Kreber, Dante; and 22 great-grandchildren.

Beverly was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; son, Brian; her parents, Ed and Molly Papik; in-laws, Gladys and Lawrence Kreber; Papik uncles, Joe, Otto, Roy, Emil and aunt Adeline and their spouses; cousins, Connie and Mike Papik; numerous Kreber sister and brothers-in-law.