Jeffrey Linn Chladek

Jeffrey Linn Chladek, age 59, of Lesterville, South Dakota went to be with God on September 3, 2018 after a long battle with cancer. Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 AM, on Thursday, September 6, 2018 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Tabor, South Dakota with Reverend Anthony Urban officiating. Burial will be in the Polish Cemetery in rural Lesterville at a later date. Visitation is from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, on Wednesday, September 5 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Tabor with a vigil service at 7:00 PM. Visitation continues one hour prior to the funeral on Thursday at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Yankton. Pallbearers are Bob Pechous, Brian Vaith, Richard Fischer, Clate Soukup, Orlyn Evenson, Greg Gall, Matt Smith and Jeremy Syrovatka. Jeff was born on April 8, 1959 in Yankton, South Dakota to Joseph and Nelta (Gall) Chladek and remained a lifelong member of the Lesterville area. Jeff went to Scotland High School and continued his life’s work of farming from his childhood homestead. He was married to Patty Syrovatka on May 12, 1979. Jeff and Patty were blessed with a baby girl, Sara on April 18, 1982. Agriculture and hunting were his lifelong dream of doing business his way. He was quick to lend a hand and thoughtful to friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues. Jeff enjoyed spending time with his four grandchildren and the chaos created allowed Jeff to practice his patience and gave four more names to call Daisy, the family pet, when she was out of line. Surrounded by his family throughout his struggle, Jeff remained true to himself with punch line humor, pride, and thoughtfulness of others. He had a passion for mechanic work and provided consult to those who sought it. He often passed his mechanical savvy, and love of all things “red versus green” to his grandson, Remington. Proof of his passion can be found in the numerous homemade toys constructed of wood and other left over nuts, bolts, pipes, rivets, and anything else laying around that were often painted red. With toys painted red and jokes about green, his good-natured ribbing is spread to a new generation. Whether pushing snow or plowing fields, he always offered an opportunity for a ride along. Through it all, he remained positive about the future and reminiscent of the past and it showed in his character. Jeff is survived in death by his wife, Patty Chladek of Lesterville; daughter, Sara (Eric) Shoemaker of Brandon, SD; four grandchildren, Remington (9), Olivia (7), Kate (2) and Aspen (2); five siblings: Duane (Helen) Chladek of Yankton, Connie (Dennis) Stimpson of Aransas Pass, TX, Dan (Kathy) Chladek of St. Joseph, MO, Jeanette (Ole) Munkvold of Lesterville, and Claudette (Randy) Sutera of Tyndall, SD; and many nieces and nephews. Jeff was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; and an infant brother, Dennis. To send an online message to the family, please visit www.wintzrayfuneralhome.com.