Luvern E. Cwach, age 82 of Yankton died on Sunday, January 6, 2008 at the Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, January 9, 2008 at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Yankton with Rev. Ken Bain officiating and Msgr. Carlton Hermann concelebrating. Burial will be at the Sacred Heart Cemetery with military graveside rites by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791, Yankton. Visitations will be from 1-9 PM, Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at the Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton with a 7:00 PM rosary followed by a 7:30 PM scripture service. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers will be his Grandsons: Matthew Froehlich, Carl Livingston, Tony and Alex
Becker, Brandon Peterson, and David Jesse Frank. Honorary pallbearers will be the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791, Hatwan-Kortan American Legion Post #183 of Tabor, and all veterans who serve our country.
Luvern Ernest Cwach was born December 27, 1925 to Joseph and Katherine (Bloch) Cwach in Yankton County, Yankton, South Dakota. He was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton, SD. He attended 1st-8th grade at Fairview School #16 and attended Yankton High School for 9th, 10th, and 11th grade. He then graduated in May of 1943 from Lesterville, High School. On August 30, 1943, he enlisted in the Navy and served during WWII where he was a diesel mechanic on small boats in South Hampton, Hampshire, England and then was a truck and jeep driver in France. His boot camp and training was completed in Idaho, Delaware, Florida, and boarded his ship for Europe in New Orleans. As part of the preparations for the invasion of Normandy, Luvern traveled on LST or Higgens boats that gave the orders the night before the attack. His last weeks of service were spent working at a war prisoner's camp and also spent as a minesweeper in Tokyo Bay, Tokyo, Japan. He was honorably discharged on April 7, 1946 as a Motor Machinist's Mate Second Class. Luvern married Leona Mazourek at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, SD on June 27, 1950.
He was a farmer all his life raising Black Angus cattle and hogs. Farming was his pride and joy. On November 4, 1966 he purchased his own farm and lived there for over 40 years. He was a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church, a life member of the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post 791, Kortan-Hatwan American Legion Post #183, Czech Heritage Preservation Society, Farmers Union, and the Antique Auto Club. He enjoyed his bride of 57 years, his family, traveling, playing cards, gardening, grilling, telling jokes, and playing polka music every Sunday.
Those who will cherish his memory are his wife, Leona Cwach of Yankton, SD; five daughters: Norma Froehlich of Sturgis, SD, Donna (Gary) Peterson of Madison, WI, Ruth Frank of Yankton, SD, Nancy (Darrell) Livingston of Yankton, SD, and Renee (Gary) Becker of Yankton, SD; 13 Grandchildren, 7 Great Grandchildren; one brother, Elmer (Dorothy) Cwach of Gering, NE; and two sisters: Angela Lindstrom of Yankton, SD and Mavis (Dewie) Gaul of Sioux City, IA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Clarence Cwach, a sister, Lorraine Dallas, sons-in-law: David Frank and Lorin Froehlich.
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