Sylvia was born on August 16th, 1924 to Frank and Tillie (Hlavac) Kralicek on the family farm, rural Yankton. She attended school at Pleasant Hill Country School, northwest of Yankton. She married Melvin Patton on February 11, 1947 in Yankton. To that union two children were born, Janice and David. Together, they farmed two miles south of Utica their whole married life.

Sylvia was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on February 11, 2010 and fought a brave fight to the end. Sylvia will be remembered for always putting her family first, and for her hospitality to anyone who walked into their home. She always had the coffee on and a five course meal ready to be put on the table.

Sylvia is survived by her husband of 64 years, Melvin, Utica; daughter, Janice (Frank) Vellek, Yankton; son, David, Utica; grandchildren and families: LeeAnn (Randy) Freng and their children, Katie and Karlie, Lisa (Rob) Barger and their children, Kayla, Austin, and Dillon, Michelle (Jim) Stucky and their children, Jake, Jared, and Marissa, Mark (Tami) Vellek and their children, Payton and Tori, Richard (Brenda) Vellek and their children, Jordynn, Dawson and Easton, and Kristi Patton; as well as sister, Lorraine (Herman) Schwarz, Tyndall; sisters-in-law: Dorothy Kralicek, Yankton and Iola Becvar, Tyndall; and brother-in-law, Paul (Sonny) Sangster, Wakonda; special friends Renee Jensen and Patty (Payne) Karell, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers: Don, Ernie, and Roland, and sisters, Arlene Brewer and Helen Spence.

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