Gary Lee Dvorak, 55, of Miller, SD, formerly of Ft. Pierre, SD, and Lake Andes, SD, passed away Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at the Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital in Miller.
Celebration of Gary’s life will be 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the Moose Lodge in Fort Pierre, SD.
Gary was born in Armour, SD, on February 1, 1970, the third child and second son of Leonard and Karen (Woods) Dvorak. Gary grew up in a lively household. He was in the middle of a family of six children. They were always active and found pleasure in the simple things that life had to offer in the way of fishing, hunting, and raising animals, even if the animals were just puppies and kittens. All the children learned the value of a hard day’s work and a really good meal. Family gatherings were always special. Gary was in attendance as often as possible and will be missed by everyone.
While Gary had relationships in his past, he found the person he wanted to share the rest of his life with in 2019, Elizabeth Olson. Gary and Elizabeth were making plans for their future when their time together was shortened. Gary earned the name “Uncle Stepdad” from Elizabeth’s children because prior to Elizabeth, Gary was in fact their uncle by marriage.
Gary’s life could be described as “Fast & Furious” as he had a love for vehicles and spent time around racetracks when he was younger. He spent the majority of his working life behind the wheel of several types of trucks. He deeply enjoyed the outdoors and being in nature. He could be found fishing, hunting, or camping in his younger years. Gary had a way of keeping things interesting, like in his deer hunting days, where maybe they should not have been on that particular piece of land. More recently, he enjoyed participating in a pool league with Billie Jo and her team and enjoyed going to tournaments with Elizabeth.
Gary loved to go to the farm to visit Elizabeth’s parents, where he would spend time in the shop or with equipment that was being worked on. One of their most cherished memories is of the epic holiday card games they all enjoyed together.
Three years ago, Gary’s life changed drastically when he had an accident that left him bound to a wheelchair. His physical abilities were a challenge, but his sense of humor never ran out. He always tried to make people around him laugh through jokes and teasing. His new wheels in the form of an electric wheelchair could be found zipping along faster than regulations allowed. He would be told to slow down, and of course, he would laugh and smile and never slow down. Gary enjoyed entertaining the grandchildren with rides on his wheelchair. He adored hearing children laugh & squeal in delight.
Gary is survived by his fiancé, Elizabeth Olson of Miller, SD and children, Billie Jo Olson, Zane Sherwood (Allister and Victoria), Joey Olson (Daylen), CJ Olson (Adrian), Jimmy and Angel and of course the fur babies: Tuggy, Ruby, Cleo, Sly, and Lucky; his parents, Leonard and Karen (Woods) Dvorak of rural Lake Andes, SD; his siblings: Michael and Lisa (Lundberg) Dvorak of Curlew, IA, Donna (Dvorak) and Thomas Thomson of Slayton, MN, Norene (Dvorak) and Reid Sutton of Freeman, SD; and Cindy Dvorak of Yankton, SD; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his sister, Janet Hrdlicka of Fargo, ND; his grandparents; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Gary’s arrangements.
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