Buryanek, Frank R. 1934 - 2009

BURYANEK, KOHOUT, WITT, GOECKE, RABE

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/12/2010 at 19:08:14

HAWARDEN, Iowa -- Frank R. Buryanek, 75, of Hawarden died suddenly Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at his residence.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hawarden, with the Rev. Todd Bunge officiating. Burial will be in Grace Hill Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the American Legion Alberte Hoschler Post 186 of Akron, Iowa. Visitation with the family will begin at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden.

Frank Raymond Buryanek was born on the family farm in rural Plymouth County, near Westfield, Iowa, on Feb. 6, 1934. He was the seventh of nine children born to Adolph and Bessie (Kohout) Buryanek. He attended Westfield Public School, graduating from the 12th grade in 1952.

Soon after graduation, he went to work at the Sioux City Stockyards. A life long farmer at heart, he farmed with his brother, Leonard, before serving in the U.S. Army. He served from 1955 to 1958 and remained in active Reserves until 1963. He began working for the Lampert Lumber Company in Le Mars, Iowa in 1958 and was transferred to Nerstrand, Minn., as a manager in late 1958.

He married Marlene Evonne Witt on June 21, 1959, in Hawarden. The couple made their home in Nerstrand before returning to farm near Hawarden in 1960. They remained on the farm until Marlene's death on April 7, 1989. He became a crop insurance adjuster for Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company in 1981 and continued in that capacity until 2006. During these years, he also earned a two-year degree from Sioux Empire College in Hawarden.

He married Annie (Goecke-Rabe) on May 26, 1990, in Hawarden, where they have since made their home. He went to work for Gearhart-Williams Insurance Agency in 1990, selling farm building, crop and hail insurance until his retirement in July 2008.

He was an active member of many groups in and around the Hawarden community. He served as president of the Sioux County Cattlefeeders and in that capacity hosted various congressmen. At their invitation, he appeared before the House Agriculture Committee to make a "Cross of Gold" speech in defense of the farmer and livestock producer. He was a charter member and past officer of the Hawarden Jaycees, past president of the Hawarden Golf Course and a member of the American Legion Hoeschler Post 186 of Akron, Iowa since 1958. He also served as an elder, an usher and was on the building committee for the education wing at Trinity Lutheran Church. When he was not farming or talking farm, he was golfing, hunting, fishing or playing pinochle with family and friends.

One of his main interests was his long association with West Sioux Community Schools. Her served two terms on the school board and made many contributions to upgrading facilities and to joining the Siouxland Conference. He was one of only two men to receive a Lifetime Award of Merit for his efforts. He was a staunch supporter of all athletic activities until his death. But what was closest to his heart and his passion was being well known as the sideline coach and referee while watching his children. He was especially proud of his grandchildren, Breanne and Brice, and was their number one fan. He had a profound love for his God, family and friends.

Those who will miss him dearly and cherish his memories are his wife, Annie Buryanek of Hawarden; sons, Bill Buryanek and his wife Sharilyn of Hawarden, Geoff Rabe and his partner Will Von Dauster of Boulder, Colo., and Jason Rabe of Los Angeles, Calif.; daughters, Nancy Buryanek of Urbandale, Iowa, and Jane Buryanek of Johnston, Iowa; grandchildren, Breanne and Doug Noble of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Brice Buryanek of Hawarden; sisters, Vera Diediker of Laurel, Neb., Mildred and Clyde Westrosky of Peqout Lakes, Minn., Betty and Bob Philips of Augusta, Wis., Marlis and Frank Asprey of West Sacramento, Calif., and Mary and Roger Osborn of Kellogg, Iowa; brothers, Leonard and Tess Buryanek and Jim and Delores Buryanek, all of Westfield, Iowa; and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Adam Tindall; brothers-in-law, Arnold Bollhoefer and Don Diediker; eight nieces and nephews; a family friend, Casey Lozenoord; and a host of friends.

From the Sioux City Journal, Sioux City, Iowa June 27, 2009