John Andrew Kokales

Memorial services for John A. Kokales, 72, of Aberdeen, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 7, 2013, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1429 N Dakota St. in Aberdeen.

Visitation will be held at Schriver's Memorial Mortuary, 414 5th Ave. NW in Aberdeen on Thursday, June 6th, from 6-7:30 p.m.

John passed away Monday, June 3, 2013 at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen.

John was born September 19, 1940 to Samuel and Tillie (Barth) Kokales in Minneapolis, MN. As a young child, he moved with his family and relocated to Aberdeen, SD. This is where he grew up and attended school, graduating from Central High School in 1959. After graduation, he enlisted in the US Army and was stationed in Alaska. John was honorably discharged on March 23, 1962.

On June 8, 1963, he was united in marriage with Myrna Mankey. Together they raised three children, two girls and one boy.

John loved to hunt and fish and together with his brother, James Kokales, owned and operated Kokales Fishing Gallery in Aberdeen for 27 years. After retirement you could find John most days of the summer fishing for crappies and bluegills on Richmond Lake. In the fall, he enjoyed hunting geese, pheasant and ducks. He also enjoyed cooking, baking, and entertaining family and friends.

Celebrating his life are, his wife, Myrna Kokales, Aberdeen; son, Todd (Paula) Kokales, Groton; daughters, Jennifer (Blake) Bomesberger, Aberdeen and Manda Kokales (Marc Sheaffer, Fiance), Sioux Falls; grandchildren, Kiana and Landon Kokales, Groton, and Evan and Alexis Bomesberger, Aberdeen; siblings, James (JoAnn) Kokales, Aberdeen, and Christine Buss, Aberdeen.

He was preceded in death by his parents.