Leo James Cwach

Leo James Cwach, Jr. passed away Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at his farm in rural Yankton. A memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 1 at United Church of Christ in Yankton. Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m. Inurnment will be at Garden of Memories in Yankton.

Leo James Cwach, Jr., eldest son of Leo J. and Wilma (Williams) Cwach was born at Tyndall, South Dakota on August 4, 1953. He attended elementary school at rural Yankton County Roosevelt District 57, junior high at Tyndall, SD and was graduated from Yankton High School in 1971.

Cwach was active in speech and debate for YHS and was selected to attend Boys State. He was a delegate to the 1970 National 4-H Club Congress, held in Chicago. He traveled with the People to People Citizen Ambassador program to Europe and Russia during the summer of 1972.

Following that experience, Cwach was keenly aware of the ongoing global importance of food production and agriculture. He joined his father full time in their family farming operation northwest of Yankton, that was homesteaded by his great-grandfather. Cwach became interested in tax accounting after working seasonally for H&R Block in Colorado during 1983-86. He became enrolled to practice before the Internal Revenue Service in 1984. He obtained a paralegal certificate from South Dakota State University in 2000. He was employed by the Valuation Advisory Group of Atlanta, GA to do GASB 34 accounting work for various public school systems in South Dakota as well as nationally 2001-02.

Cwach resumed farming in 2003. As was his father, Cwach was active in many public service and community activities. He was an active member of St. John’s Masonic Lodge #1 Yankton, the Yankton Scottish Rite KCCH, the Vermillion York Rite bodies and the Lewis & Clark El Riad Shrine. He was an enthusiastic windsurfer and enjoyed nature and outdoor activities.

Cwach is survived by his sister, Dr. Nancy Lee Cwach of Centennial, CO.

He was preceded in death by his brother, George Edward Cwach in 2003.