Edward Kokesh

WAGNER - Edward Kokesh died Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at his home after a long battle with cancer, surrounded by his family. Ed had been under hospice care. He attained the age of 76 years, eight months and 27 days. Edward Kokesh, son of Mike J. and Caroline (Trantina) Kokesh, was born July 31, 1933, on a farm near Scotland. Ed attended country school near Scotland through the eighth grade. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a SP3 Sergeant in the Korean War from 1954 to 1957. Ed married Agnes Stastny on April 29, 1957, at Wagner. Six children were blessed to their union. They farmed south of Wagner. Ed was a life member of VFW and the American Legion. He was named the District Legionnaire of the Year in 2008. Ed drove the D.A.V. Van for over 10 years. Ed enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, playing cards, fishing, building windmills, and raising Grandpa's Pumpkin Patch. Thankful for having shared his life are his wife, Agnes, of Wagner; five children, Deborah and husband, Michael Fredrich, of Rapid City, Daniel and wife, Andrea, of Wagner, Donna Livingston and fiance, Ray Wagner, of Yankton, Dale and wife, Tanya, of Rapid City, and Dorothy and husband, Brian Welbig, of Sioux Falls; 18 grandchildren, Amy (Steve) Thomas, Stacie, Scott and Jason Fredrich, Curtis Kokesh, Jessica and Brittany Livingston, Samantha, Cameron and Jordyn Kokesh, and Amanda, Brandon, Drew, Alex, Jacob, Derek, Nathan and Tyler Welbig; one great-grandson, Preston Thomas; one sister, Sylvia Dvorak, of Scotland; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Ed was preceded in death by his daughter, Doris, in November 1974; his parents; six brothers, Ernest, Raymond, Donald, Mike, Joe and Clayton; and three sisters, Elsie Cap, Grace Hacecky and Frances Thurker. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. CDT today at Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner. Rosary/wake services will follow at 7 p.m. CDT at St. Mark's Catholic Church in Lake Andes. Mass of the Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 1, at the church. Burial, with military honors, will be at St. John's Catholic Cemetery, rural Wagner. An online guestbook is available at www.crosby jaegerfh.com