Robert E. Hajek

CELEBRANT
Fr. Joe Forcelle
MUSIC
Organist ~ Marcene Kniffen
Processional Hymn ~ “Here I Am, Lord”
Offertory Hymn ~ “Amazing Grace”
Communion Hymns ~ “How Great Thou Art”
“Ave Maria” ~ Soloist, Kathy Koenig
Recessional Hymn ~ “This is My Song”
Accordion Music by Eleanor Mikolash
PALLBEARERS ~ Robert’s Granddaughters
Cassie ~ Ellie ~ Mary ~ Chris
CASKETBEARERS ~ Robert’s Grandsons
Bob ~ Dusty ~ Matt ~ Eric ~ Philip ~
James ~ Michael ~ David ~ Stephen ~ Luke
Robert Edward “Bob” Hajek was born on November 18, 1922 at Tyndall, South Dakota to Frank and Vlasta (Rehurek) Hajek. He attended country schools through the 8th grade and graduated from Tyndall High School in 1939. He attended Southern State Normal at Springfield, and taught rural schools for three years. In 1944, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy Air program, and served until his honorable discharge in 1946. He married Lucille Marek on October 6, 1947 at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Tyndall. They farmed south of Tyndall until 1957, when he accepted employment at Security State Bank in Tyndall. He greatly enjoyed his career at the bank, and the close relationships he had with his colleagues and many customers. He retired from the bank in 1996, and remained on the board until 2011.
Bob served his community in many ways. He served as City Treasurer for nearly 40 years, as Commander of Pike-Wagner Post of the American Legion, Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, President of the Tyndall Rotary Club, and for 60 years, as President of the WFLA (ZCBJ) Lodge. He served as Treasurer of Tyndall Community Pool, Bon Homme Country Club, the Tyndall Veteran’s Memorial, and many other community organizations. Bob delighted in music and sang in St. Leo’s Choir from 1947 forward. He loved to play his trombone, was a member of many polka bands over the years, and performed regularly until a few weeks before his death. In his earlier years, Bob also loved playing amateur baseball as a third baseman for the Tyndall Arrows, later managed the team, and announced games for several years.
Bob was deeply grateful for the service of veterans. He was also a devoted fan of the Minnesota Twins. So it was a joyful moment in his life when on April 28, with 38 of his family members standing beside him, he raised the U.S. Flag in front of a capacity crowd at Target Field in Minneapolis.
Bob passed away on Monday, July 8, 2013 at the Good Samaritan Society of Tyndall at the age of 90 years, 7 months and 21 days.
Survivors are sons Don (Michele) and Doug (Anne) of Sioux Falls; daughters Cynthia (Mike) Gorman of Yankton, Karen (Jim) Kirk of rural Springfield, and Margaret (Todd) Kniffen of Williamsburg, Iowa; 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; sisters Arlene (Don) Nelles of Scotland and Carol (Duane) Grimme of Yankton; and sisters-in-law Patsy Hajek and Audrey Hajek, both of Tyndall. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Lucille in 1991, his sister Mariana (Frank) DenOuden, and brothers Gordon and Leonard Hajek.
The family requests that memorials be directed to Good Samaritan North Point/Hospice.