Duane "Don" Podhradsky

Duane “Don” Donald Podhradsky

September 23, 1932 – October 3, 2025

Don was born on September 23rd, 1932, at home in Letcher, SD to Elsie (Shafranek) and Walter Podhradsky. Don was quite an athlete in high school, enjoying baseball, football, basketball and track. He drove school bus, bringing neighboring students to school with him. Don enlisted in the Army at 18 and proudly served his country in the Korean War for 18 months. He then went to Dakota Weslyn University where he graduated with a Business Degree.

Don married Joan (Druse) on January 2, 1956, in Mitchell, SD at the Notre Dame Chapel. Together they welcomed three children, Donna, Jim and Denise, and settled their family in Huron, SD.  Don and family were members of Resurrection Church in Huron where he was an usher for many years.  He then was an active member of Saints Peter and Paul Church in Pierre.  In Sioux Falls, they joined St. Therese Parish and enjoyed the volunteers that brought him and Joanie weekly communion and shared church happenings with them.

Throughout his life, Don worked as an insurance adjuster, claims manager, and lastly in the Insurance Department for the State of South Dakota, taking Don and Joan to Pierre, SD. During his time off, Don enjoyed golfing with Joan and various friends, getting TWO “hole in one’s” in his lifetime. He also enjoyed walleye fishing, although Joan always caught the big ones. Don was an avid trap shooter.  Later on he enjoyed hunting pheasants and geese with his son Jim.  He loved driving through car lots and watching the Minnesota Twins. He loved to buy and sell cars and campers and would often tease that “everything was for sale for the right price.”

Don loved his grandchildren. The kids enjoyed flying kites with him, with his kite always attached to his fishing pole. Grandpa always had cookies, donuts, ice cream and treats to share… and there was ALWAYS room for ice cream.

Don and Joan moved to Sioux Falls, SD in 2024. Don enjoyed being able to see family more often, especially their great-grandchildren.

Don passed away peacefully on October 3rd, 2025, at the young age of 93, surrounded by his family after spending time in the hospital. He was proceeded in death by his parents Walter and Elsie, brother Louie and his wife Doris and brother Wallace and his wife Sharon, and many other family members and friends.

Don is survived by his wife, Joan, and their three children, Donna (Brian) Beck (Dallas, SD), Jim Podhradsky (Pierre, SD) and Denise (Mark) Richard (Sioux Falls, SD). Grandchildren, Kyle (Patty) Beck, Claire (Chris) Byrd, Jasmine (Jared) Schroeder and Noah (Emma) Richard.  Don was adored by his 9 great-grandchildren, Dominic, Finley, Elliot, Camden, Parker, Booker, Sawyer, Michael and Darvee.

A Committal Service is scheduled at the South Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery (25965 477th Ave. Sioux Falls, SD) at 11am on Friday, October 10th.  His ashes then will be interned at the Veteran’s Cemetery.  Lunch will be provided for friends and family at Heritage Funeral Home following the committal service.  There will be a visitation for friends and family that afternoon from 2pm to 3:30pm at Heritage Funeral Home, followed by a Celebration of Life Vigil at 3:30 for those who cannot attend the committal service and would like to celebrate with the family.