Gary Lee Frank

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Gary Frank, 78, of Avon, died Saturday, May 2, 2026, at St. Benedict Health Center in Parkston.

Visitation will be held 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a 7 p.m. prayer service, Wednesday, May 6 at Friedens Reformed Church in Tripp.

Funeral service is 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 7 at Friedens Reformed.

Burial with military rites will be at Friedens Reformed Church Cemetery.

Gary was born on December 15, 1947, in Scotland, South Dakota, to Alfred and Rachel (Griess) Frank. He graduated from Avon High School in 1966. Following high school, he served in the Army National Guard out of Wagner. He served in the 137th Engineer Battalion for 8 years reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant, and discharging in 1975.

On February 16, 1974, Gary was united in marriage to Kathleen Voigt in Avon, SD. Together they built a life rooted in family, hard work, and community.

Gary was a lifelong farmer who took great pride in his work. In addition to farming, he did custom hire work and sold seed, forming many lasting relationships along the way. He never met a stranger and was deeply involved in his community, serving as a board member for the Avon Farmers Co-op Elevator, B-Y Water District Board of Directors, Tripp American Legion member, Tripp Farmers Elevator board member, and Dakota Plains board member. He was also a member of the Twin Rivers Old Iron Association along with the Friedens Reformed Church Consistory Board.

Gary enjoyed the simple things in life—sharing Team National with friends and family gave him the opportunity to build community and travel. He enjoyed spending time with loved ones, fixing old tractors, and playing pool. He will be remembered for his steady presence, strong work ethic, and dedication to those around him.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Frank of Avon, SD; his children: Stacy (Christi) Frank of Tripp, SD; Kelcey (Summer Radke) Frank of the Black Hills, SD; Cindy (Trevor Koehn) Frank of Brandon, SD; and Gary (Kelsey) Frank of Avon, SD.

He is also survived by his grandchildren: Weston Frank, Ashton Frank, Jasmin Frank, Allison Frank, Alexis (Jordan) Bierbrauer, Chase (Cassandra) Frank, Christian Jager, Nicholas (Makenzie) Jager, MacKenzie (Gavin) Martin, Chloe Kocer, Jocelyn Kocer, and Camden Frank; and one great-grandchild, Wilder Jager.

Gary is further survived by his siblings: Dennis (Janet) Frank, Judith (John) Mulder, Mary (Eric) Schertel, and Kenneth (Madge) Frank; along with many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law; one grandchild, Jayden Jager, and brothers-in-law, Raymond and Richard Voigt.