Lawrence "Larry" David Rezek, 97, of Redfield, SD, passed away peacefully at Community Memorial Hospital in Redfield on Thursday, September 25, 2025, due to complications from pneumonia.

His funeral service with Masonic Rites will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 3, 2025, at the Eastern Star Chapel in Redfield with Pastor Melissa Rowenhorst officiating.

Following the service, refreshments will be served at the Eastern Star Home. Larry was cremated and will be buried at a later date at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD with military honors.

Larry's funeral will be live-streamed with a link on the funeral home's website below his obituary. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield.  (www.hykefuneralhome.com)

Larry was born on July 31, 1928, on the family homestead north of Lake Andes in Charles Mix County, South Dakota. He was the youngest of twelve children born to Elias and Rose (Shehadi) Rezek. He grew up attending a one-room country school, later converted into the family hunting shack, about a mile from home. Always resourceful, Larry often joked that he rode a cow to school. At the age of 13, following the sudden passing of his father, Larry was mentored by his older brother George.

Larry attended Lake Andes High School, where he played center on both the six-man football team and the basketball team. After graduating high school, Larry worked on the construction of the Fort Randall Dam near Pickstown, South Dakota, before returning home to help George on the farm.

In 1952, Larry enlisted in the United States Air Force. After basic training, he entered Aircraft Jet Mechanic School, hoping it would open a path to flying. Instead, due to his aptitude, he was assigned as an instructor on jet engines at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois. Among his memorable experiences during his service was escorting an AWOL prisoner by train from St. Louis back to Illinois.

On September 11, 1953, Larry married June O'Connell. Together they raised three children, Gary, Karen, and Janet, whom he cherished deeply. After his discharge from the Air Force in 1956, he attended South Dakota State College of Agriculture, graduating in 1959. He began a long career with the USDA Soil Conservation Service, first in Brookings and later transferring to Miller, South Dakota, in 1962, where he served as District Conservationist for Hand and Hyde Counties until his retirement in 1986. In November of 2019, Larry moved to the Eastern Star Home of Redfield, South Dakota. His family is grateful for the loving home he found with them.

Larry's passions were deeply rooted in the land and outdoors. He loved farming, gardening, hunting, fishing, and traveling. He could often be found on his fishing boat, trolling the Missouri River for walleye to fill his freezer or playing an animated game of pitch. Each fall, he looked forward to reuniting with extended family and lifelong friends for pheasant hunting, a tradition that brought him great joy. Above all, Larry loved his family fiercely and leaves behind a legacy of warmth, humor, and devotion.

Larry is survived by his children, Gary (Judy Karen) Rezek of Brookings, SD, Karen (Charlie) Harr of Zell, SD, and Janet (Jim) Mertz of Loveland, CO; his grandchildren, Jayme (Ben) Fast, Lindsay (Mitch) Erickson, Joshua Mertz, Eric Karen, Ben Karen, and two great grand children, Samuel and Claire Fast.  He is also survived by his sister-in-law Merlynn Rezek, numerous beloved nieces and nephews, and his cat, whom he cleverly named Pooper.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elias and Rose (Shehadi) Rezek, and siblings, Nellie Wallace, George Rezek, Olga Dertien, Alexander Rezek, Amy Mosher, John Rezek, Ray Rezek, Alyce (Cindy) Baker, James Rezek, two siblings at birth, and great grandson Lucas Fast.

Larry will be remembered for his steadfast love, sharp wit, and the countless memories he created with family and friends.