Beverly Sykora

Anne "Beverly" Sykora, age 89, Browns Valley, passed away Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, February 18, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Browns Valley with Fr. John Paul Knopik officiating.  Music will be provided by pianist Sue Varpness and the St. Anthony's Choir.

Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery, Browns Valley.  Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Jonathan Hoffman, Austin Swenson, Drew Swenson, Zachary Sykora, Andrew Sykora, Joshua Sykora, and Carter Sykora.

Visitation will be Monday from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. led by the Christian Mothers.  Visitation will continue Tuesday morning one hour prior to the service at the church.

Anne Beverly Sykora was born to Albert and Alma Kellen on July 5, 1935, in Madison, Minnesota.  Beverly was to be their first daughter, with an additional 5 sisters and 8 brothers.  When Beverly was young, the Albert Kellen family moved to Beardsley, Minnesota.  It was in Beardsley where Beverly graduated from high school in 1953.  Following high school graduation, Beverly became an RN, attending St. Francis Nursing School in Little Falls, MN.  While working as a nurse and home on a weekend, she met John "Clement" Sykora at a dance.  Beverly and Clem were married on January 18, 1958.

Beverly was an active member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church.  Beverly will be remembered as participating in Music Moms, Christian Mothers and the Daughters of Isabella.  She also enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren playing sports and going to concerts.  On the farm, Beverly enjoyed raising chickens, having a garden and helping with the dairy cattle.  She loved cooking and baking; the farmhouse never lacked in having sweets.

In retirement, Beverly and Clem would travel to various Polka Parties and continued their interest in dancing.  Following Clem's passing, Beverly enjoyed traveling with her sisters and children.  She sang in the St. Anthony's Church choir and stayed connected with her family through emails.

She will be missed.

Beverly is survived by her children, Mary, Cheryl, Linda Hoffman (Jeff), Diane Swenson (Tony), Paul, Peter, JoAnn Schumacher (Bart), Joseph (Jennifer), Charles (Sharon) and Theresa Van Riessen (Edwin); and 12 grandchildren.

Beverly is also survived by her sisters and brothers, Arlene Bigalke, Delores Thompson, Paul Kellen (Mary Ann), and Donald Kellen (Janet); and several nieces and nephews.

Beverly is preceded in death by her husband Clem, who passed away on December 4, 2004; her parents; and siblings, Laverne, Gordon, Arnold, Albert Jr., Gerald, Shirley, LeRoy, Carol, and Doris.