Obituary for Tom Krejchi
Tom Krejchi passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2020 in Watertown at the age of 63.
In order to share my thoughts with minimal speculation and maximum accuracy I thought it best to tell my own life’s story.
I once heard a quote by Clint Eastwood who said, “The only people who want to live to be 100 are those who are 99 years old already.” I agree. While I am younger than I thought I would be at this stage of life, I have very few regrets for the past 63 years. I laughed every day and cherished every minute that I could spend with friends and family.
I was born and raised in Pocahontas, Iowa. Pocahontas is a small town where many of my close friends still reside. I will never forget any of them. At the corner of Elm Ave and SW 1st Street in Pocahontas sits what most residents would call an iconic building. While this business is now closed, Al’s Conoco was one of the most popular hangouts in town and once employed every teenager who grew up in Pocahontas. I began working for my dad (Al Krejchi) at his full service gas station when I was 12 years old pumping gas and changing oil and tires. So many memories and so many stories are still shared about the good ole days at Al’s Conoco. There have been various poems and stories written by people who were influenced by the events that occurred in those days at Al’s Conoco. If any of you ever drive past the old business, we always like to say, “ If you can’t stop, at least wave as you drive by!”
After Pocahontas my career took me to various locations, and finally in 1991 our family settled in Watertown, South Dakota where I worked for a fantastic employer for the next 27 years until retiring in 2018. Many customers, vendors and co-workers became close friends during my years of employment with Building Products, Inc.
I have been truly blessed to have been surrounded by the most awesome family in the world, starting with my late mother Anita and my late father Al; my sister Paula Smith of Wichita, KS and her children Matt Smith of Kansas City and Rachel (Mike) Vilven of St. Louis, MO; my brother Bill and his wife Sybil of Watertown, SD, their children Julie (Jacob) Moes of Goodwin SD, Molly (Dan) Bradley of Maple Grove MN, and Tyler (Megan) Krejchi of Sioux Falls, SD; my brother-in-law Jay Christiansen and wife Kristy of Eagle NE, their children Austin (Amanda) Christiansen of Lincoln, NE, Logan Christiansen, Axol Christiansen and Jamie Lynn Morris all of Eagle NE; and sister-in-law Marla Christiansen-Kime and husband Clay of Fairfield CA, and her children Heather (Ben) Lent of Fairfield and Ashley (Dan) McClure of Vacaville, CA.
Most importantly, the people who have always meant the most to me, my wife Paula of 36 years, who has always been the love of my life and my main source of willpower to help me overcome difficult times. She has been my strength when I needed her most. And of course, our son Bobby and his wife Melissa of Eagan, MN, who I will never be able to express how very proud I am of him.
I cannot forget to give special thanks to the doctors and staff at Avera Hospital and Cancer Center in Sioux Falls, Brown Clinic of Watertown, the great staff at Hospice of Watertown, and our home care provider Sheila. The quality of their service and friendliness made every visit a better experience.
Please no grieving when I’m gone. Envious might be more appropriate because my entire life was filled with caring people and happy times. I had a wonderful life and don’t regret a minute of it. When you think of me, keep a smile on your face because that’s how I want to remember you!
We have chosen to celebrate my life by having a small, gathering at our house which we would like to limit to immediate family members only. We would appreciate everyone’s cooperation in respecting our privacy. Cards are welcome but please no gifts are necessary.
So long my family and friends. I love you all!
Tom
In order to share my thoughts with minimal speculation and maximum accuracy I thought it best to tell my own life’s story.
I once heard a quote by Clint Eastwood who said, “The only people who want to live to be 100 are those who are 99 years old already.” I agree. While I am younger than I thought I would be at this stage of life, I have very few regrets for the past 63 years. I laughed every day and cherished every minute that I could spend with friends and family.
I was born and raised in Pocahontas, Iowa. Pocahontas is a small town where many of my close friends still reside. I will never forget any of them. At the corner of Elm Ave and SW 1st Street in Pocahontas sits what most residents would call an iconic building. While this business is now closed, Al’s Conoco was one of the most popular hangouts in town and once employed every teenager who grew up in Pocahontas. I began working for my dad (Al Krejchi) at his full service gas station when I was 12 years old pumping gas and changing oil and tires. So many memories and so many stories are still shared about the good ole days at Al’s Conoco. There have been various poems and stories written by people who were influenced by the events that occurred in those days at Al’s Conoco. If any of you ever drive past the old business, we always like to say, “ If you can’t stop, at least wave as you drive by!”
After Pocahontas my career took me to various locations, and finally in 1991 our family settled in Watertown, South Dakota where I worked for a fantastic employer for the next 27 years until retiring in 2018. Many customers, vendors and co-workers became close friends during my years of employment with Building Products, Inc.
I have been truly blessed to have been surrounded by the most awesome family in the world, starting with my late mother Anita and my late father Al; my sister Paula Smith of Wichita, KS and her children Matt Smith of Kansas City and Rachel (Mike) Vilven of St. Louis, MO; my brother Bill and his wife Sybil of Watertown, SD, their children Julie (Jacob) Moes of Goodwin SD, Molly (Dan) Bradley of Maple Grove MN, and Tyler (Megan) Krejchi of Sioux Falls, SD; my brother-in-law Jay Christiansen and wife Kristy of Eagle NE, their children Austin (Amanda) Christiansen of Lincoln, NE, Logan Christiansen, Axol Christiansen and Jamie Lynn Morris all of Eagle NE; and sister-in-law Marla Christiansen-Kime and husband Clay of Fairfield CA, and her children Heather (Ben) Lent of Fairfield and Ashley (Dan) McClure of Vacaville, CA.
Most importantly, the people who have always meant the most to me, my wife Paula of 36 years, who has always been the love of my life and my main source of willpower to help me overcome difficult times. She has been my strength when I needed her most. And of course, our son Bobby and his wife Melissa of Eagan, MN, who I will never be able to express how very proud I am of him.
I cannot forget to give special thanks to the doctors and staff at Avera Hospital and Cancer Center in Sioux Falls, Brown Clinic of Watertown, the great staff at Hospice of Watertown, and our home care provider Sheila. The quality of their service and friendliness made every visit a better experience.
Please no grieving when I’m gone. Envious might be more appropriate because my entire life was filled with caring people and happy times. I had a wonderful life and don’t regret a minute of it. When you think of me, keep a smile on your face because that’s how I want to remember you!
We have chosen to celebrate my life by having a small, gathering at our house which we would like to limit to immediate family members only. We would appreciate everyone’s cooperation in respecting our privacy. Cards are welcome but please no gifts are necessary.
So long my family and friends. I love you all!
Tom