Verda Mae Sykora

Verda Mae (Catton) Sykora of Menno, formerly of Tabor, went to her heavenly home on Thursday, June 19th, 2025. After a short stay, she passed at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls surrounded by her family.

Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, June 27 at Goglin Funeral Home in Yankton. The funeral will begin at 1 p.m. Interment will be at 2:30 p.m. at Rosehill Cemetery in Scotland.

She was born in Scotland on May 5th, 1942, to Raymond and Martha (Schorzmann) Catton. She graduated from Scotland High School in 1960. Verda married Clarence Sykora on September 9th, 1961, in Yankton. To this union they were blessed with 3 daughters. They made their home in Tabor for 63 years.

Verda had a passion for cooking, sewing, and her family. Above all she was a child of God and was an active member of the Presbyterian Church. She worked as a nurse’s aide after high school. While raising her own children, she provided childcare out of her home for 15 years, many of these children becoming honorary grandchildren. Verda worked at Coyote Sports sewing golf bags. She also shared her sewing talents by handcrafting many Czech costumes for Czech Days dancers, royalty and dolls. She was a member of the Tabor Chamber of Commerce.

You could often find Verda in the kitchen making meals and desserts for her family and friends. She even helped her daughter Lisa at LD’z lounge making Kolaches, Kuchen, and dumplings. She also worked in the kitchen at Tyndall Good Samaritan home, Bon Homme School District, and Tabor Meals on Wheels.

Verda touched the hearts of many even if it was a brief encounter. She had a passion for people of all walks of life and enjoyed hearing their life stories and would remember them in her prayers. She made quick friends with the staff, residents, and resident families in the last 2 years while at the nursing home.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters: Martha (Jim) Reisz of Harrisburg, SD, Sandra (Bill) Knapp of Syracuse, NY, and Lisa (Todd) Catton of Elkhorn, NE; 5 grandchildren: Stephanie (Ryan) Gruba of Milbank, SD, Nicole (Derek) Veldhuisen of Norwood Young America, MN, Jennifer (Jesse) Jansen of Brandon, SD, Leah (Hal) Coleates of Skaneateles Falls, NY, and Jack Knapp of Syracuse, NY; 5 great-grandchildren: Sophie and Cooper Gruba, Declan Veldhuisen, Abriana Jansen, and Scarlett Coleates; sister, Deanna King; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Clarence; parents, and niece, Karen Krehbiel.