Franklin Navratil

Franklin Navratil, 82, New Effington, SD, passed away Monday, May 11, 2020, at the Browns Valley Health Center surrounded by his family.

Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and will continue Friday morning from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in New Effington. Social distancing guidelines will be followed.

Private family services will be Friday, May 15, at 1:00 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in New Effington with Rev. Suzanne Benidt officiating. Music will be provided by organist Deb Bredvik.

The funeral service will be live streamed on the Eggers Funeral Home website www.eggersfh.com . Friends and family are welcome to listen to the funeral in the church parking lot.

Burial will be in the Bohemian Cemetery, New Effington. Pallbearers will be Franklin's grandchildren, Dan Kutter, Brianna Schultz, Tanner Kutter, Adam Spah, Samantha Swartwood, Zachary Navratil, Kya Navratil, and Morgan Navratil.

Military honors will be provided by the Read-Veflin American Legion Post 180 of New Effington.

Franklin Patrick Navratil was born March 17, 1938, to Frank and Louise (Kalina) Navratil in rural Lien Township, SD. He attended grade school at Lien #3. He attended New Effington High School and graduated in 1957. On January 31, 1958, Franklin joined the U.S. Navy where he served four years as an aviation machinist. He was honorably discharged on December 27, 1962, and returned to New Effington to farm with his father.

Franklin married Susanne Weinkauf in 1964, and they were blessed with three children: Jodeen, Wade and Kirk. In 1966 he changed course and purchased the Case Implement dealership in New Effington. During the 1980's Franklin built and operated one of the first Ethanol plants in SD. He continued to farm while selling farm equipment, snowmobiles and parts from 1966-1988.

Franklin was very active in the community throughout his life with Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Jaycees, Lions Club, American Legion, and the Civic Club. He also was a Town Board member and a volunteer fireman.

Franklin retired and found that he was bored, so he became an over-the-road truck driver for a few years. He retired from truck driving and found a job that kept him closer to home working for the Dakota Magic Casino as a dealer and convention setup.

Franklin's hobbies included trapping, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, going to auction sales, collecting of many things, tinkering, and gardening. He also enjoyed watching the MN TWINS and the MN Vikings. In his third retirement, Franklin loved growing things. He took pride in his garden and loved to share his plentiful harvest. Since June of 2019, after a stroke, with a twinkle in his eye, he flirted and charmed all at the Browns Valley Health Center.

Franklin is survived by his wife of 55 years, Susanne of New Effington; three children, Daughter-Jodeen (Neal) Kutter of Hankinson, Dan (Nicole) Kutter, Brianna (Deven) Schultz, and Tanner Kutter; Son-Wade (Gwen) Navratil of Excelsior, MN, Adam (Brit) Spah, Samantha (David) Swartwood, and Zachary Navratil; and Son-Kirk (Dawn) Navratil of Rosholt, Kya and Morgan Navratil; six great-grandchildren, Blake Kutter, Tucker, Hudson, and Colie Schultz, and Owen and Eli Spah. He is also survived by his brother, Danny Navratil of Rosholt; sisters-in law, Bernita Navratil of Pine City, MN, and Claude Navratil of France; and brother-in-law, Merle Weinkauf of Spokane, WA/Mexico.

Franklin was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Louise; and siblings, Dorothy Hentz, Louise Bergstrom, Leonard Navratil, and Dean Navratil.

The family wishes in lieu of flowers please make expression of sympathy donations to Northeast Ambulance Service (Rosholt SD), New Effington Community Center, New Effington Fire Department or donor's choice. (especially during these unprecedented times of no social gatherings)

Condolences to the family may be sent to Susanne Navratil, PO Box 195, New Effington, SD  57255.