Harvey L Danek

Harvey LeRoy Danek, of Comanche, OK formerly of Sisseton SD, was 86 years, 9 months, 3 weeks and 6 days old, and passed from this earth on February 21, 2021. Harvey was born on April 25th, 1934 in Lien Township, Roberts County, South Dakota to Charles A. and Rose (Bisek) Danek. He was the youngest of 3 children. He went to school until the 8th grade and then stayed at home to help his Dad and brother on the family farm. When he turned 18 he decided that he wanted to join the Army like his older brother Donnie. So, he left South Dakota for Ft. Sill, Oklahoma for basic training. He started his career in the Army where he spent 2 years at Ft. Sill and then transferred to the South Dakota Army National Guard Battery A 2Bn 147th Field Artillery Unit in Sisseton to complete his 40-year career. The last 15 years of that time he was full time at the National Guard Armory in Sisseton as a First Sergeant. The group of men that came though this unit were just as important to our Dad as his children were. And he truly believed it did not matter if you were a 4-star general or a private everyone should be treated with respect. He was always so proud when we came to Oklahoma to be able to go over to Ft. Sill and ask to see "his guys" that were there for basic training. After he had retired the unit was called to go to Iraq and he went over to Ft. Sill to wish the unit safe travels and to let them know he wished he was going with them. While he was stationed at Ft Sill he met Beverly the love of his life. They were married at her parents' house April 20, 1967 in Duncan and then he transplanted her to Sisseton, SD where they raised their 4 children Timothy, Cynthia, Charles, and Dale. Harvey and Beverly both were very involved in Boy Scouts as leaders and helpers from the time Tim joined then Charlie and until Dale was no longer involved. As a family they loved spending time at the lake so much that they bought a cabin at South Buffalo Lake and every chance he got he took his boys, and every kid that took an interest, fishing. Be it summer or winter he sure loved to fish. He also loved to mess with genealogy that was something he really took an interest in. Seeing how far he could go back in our family trees on both sides of his and then Mom's family. He would get so excited to share the information that he had found. He liked being able to compare his information and see if anyone had anything different. He was also very proud to say he was full blood bohemian. But I think his biggest joy of all were his 3 grandchildren. He would have moved heaven and earth for them. Aaron, Bradley and Tessa. He never missed a chance to cheer them on no matter what they were into and was always in the bleachers cheering them on. Then in 2014 a special little boy was born. His great-grandson Jensen Michael. Every chance that he got to spend with him was like no one else mattered. Harvey is survived by his children, Timothy (Darla) Danek of Watertown, SD, Cynthia (Kevin) Sears of Marlow, OK, Charles (Miranda) Danek of Comanche, and Dale Danek of Oklahoma City, OK, grandchildren Aaron (Sara) Anderson of Harrisburg, Bradley Anderson of Duncan, OK and Tessa Danek of Watertown, SD and great-grandson Jensen Anderson of Harrisburg, SD. Sister in laws Cherrie Cox of Marlow, Carolyn (Don) Byerly of Grant, OK and brother in laws Charles (Sherri) Cox of Colorado, and Sonny Wilkerson of Duncan, OK. Along with many nieces, nephews and other relatives and a host of friends. He was proceeded in death by his wife of 48 years Beverly, his parents, his sister Dorothy (Howard) Baisley, and brother Donald Danek, his in laws Thomas and Marjorie (Williams) Cox Sr. sister in laws, Beverly Okeson, Barbara Wilkerson, and Lisa Brumley, and brother in laws Thomas (Virginia) Cox Jr, and Dewey Cox. The funeral service will be held at Bailes Polk Funeral Home in Duncan, OK on Monday March 1, 2021 at 10:00 am with Rev. Don Byerly officiating. There will be visitation at the same location beginning Sunday February 28th from 5-7 pm. His family will be present to welcome loved ones. Pallbearers will be his 3 sons Tim, Charles and Dale, 2 grandsons Aaron and Bradley, and a nephew Justin Byerly. He will be buried at Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin, OK that same day at 2:00 pm. with full military honors.