Karthryn Stverak
Kathryn (Kathy) Jeanne Stverak was born Nov. 4, 1943, in Centerville, S.D., the daughter of Arnold and Estella (Sorensen) Andersen. She grew up and attended school in Turner County and graduated from Centerville High School.
Kathy attended South Dakota State University in Brookings. She graduated in 1965 with a Bachelor of Nutrition and Food Science and served as a registered dietitian.
Kathy was united in marriage with the love of her life, George Charles Stverak, Aug. 12, 1967, in Watertown, S.D.
After completing her residency in Detroit, Mich., she worked as a dietitian as she and her husband lived in Wilmot, S.D. After a couple of years, they moved to Estherville, Iowa, Yankton, S.D., and finally settled in Rapid City, S.D.
Kathy worked as a registered dietitian for Rapid City Regional Hospital for almost 20 years and retired in 2000.
In 1980 George and Kathy took a chance on themselves and purchased the Rushmore Mountain Taffy Shop located in Keystone, S.D., and now located in Hill City, S.D. This family business has become a familiar destination in South Dakota's tourism industry to this day. In 1994, they opened another location in Medora, N.D., where it remains open to this day.
In 2000, George and Kathy built a commercial property called Teddy’s Village in Medora that houses the Rushmore Mountain Taffy Shop and other tourist stores.
During her “retirement,” Kathy could be seen helping run her family’s businesses in the Black Hills of South Dakota and in Medora. She enjoyed spending time with family and looked forward to facetiming with her grandson, CJ, as well as making him sugar cookies. She enjoyed time with friends, playing cards and spending time with her family.
Kathryn, of Rapid City, passed away Tuesday, May 31, 2022. She was 78.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George; and her parents, Arnold and Estella Andersen.
Grateful for sharing her blessed life were her husband, George Stverak of Rapid City; daughter, Anita Stverak of Rapid City; twin sons, Jason (Nicole) Stverak and their son, Charles Joseph “CJ” of Ashburn, Va., and Jeffrey Stverak of Rapid City; brothers, James Andersen of Keystone and Charles (Margaret) Andersen of Yankton; sister, Annette (Dan) Wanwig; of Gig Harbor, Wash.; nephews, Chuck, David, Todd, Bjorn, Joshua and Creighton; nieces, Lois, Carin, Kristen and Kim; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 8 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City
A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 9, at the funeral home, with burial to follow at Mt View Cemetery in Rapid City.
Online condolences may be left at osheimschmidt.com