Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home

Clarence Courtney, age 78 of Yankton passed away on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at his residence. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Friday, July 8, 2011 at St. Benedicts Catholic Church, Yankton, with Rev. Ken Lulfs officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Yankton, with Military Graveside rites by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791 and the SDARNG Honor Guard, Sioux Falls, SD. Visitations will be 5 to 9 PM, Thursday, at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, with a rosary at 7:00 PM and a Scripture service at 7:30 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers will be Jim Farley, Art Hasker, Maynard Justra, Bill Kabeiseman, Tom Courtney, and Elmer Hasker. Honorary pallbearers will be Arnold Hochhalter, members of the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791, and members of the Knights of Columbus, Yankton, SD.

Clarence was born on February 3, 1933 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD to Clarence and Margaret (Mines) Courtney. He was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton, SD. He graduated from Yankton High School in 1951. He joined the Navy in 1953 and was honorably discharged in 1957. He came home and started farming with his father. He met and married the love of his life, Janet Freidel on October 8, 1960. As a farmer he looked forward to each and every year as a new beginning, the outcome uncertain, but lived with faith and hope that he would survive as a small farmer. He enjoyed flowers especially roses, singing in the St. Benedict's choir, chickens and especially roosters and the time he spent with his high school classmates. He was known as "The Best Irish Kolache Baker".

Organizations include: Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree, Fishbeck School board, Co-op board of Directors, Sacred Heart Parish Council, Utica Township Board, Yankton County Weed Board, St. Benedict Catholic Church Building Committee and lifetime member of the VFW.

He is survived by his wife, Janet of Yankton, SD; 2 children, Teresa Courtney and Tom Courtney, both of Yankton, SD; siblings, Mary Henning of San Antonio, TX, Marge (Jerry) Lubbers of Missoula, MT, Angela McGillick of Sheldon, IA, Sister Kathleen Courtney of Yankton, SD; along with many nieces and nephews and other relatives.

Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, an infant sister, Patty and an infant child. Memorials are directed to the Yankton County Contact Center at Food Pantry; 321 West 3rd Street; Yankton, SD 57078.