James Hrabanek, age 90, of Colome, SD, passed away on Friday, April 19, 2019 at the Avera Rosebud Country Care Facility in Gregory with his daughter holding his hand, and his closet loved ones having been there with him through the day.

James Clarence Hrabanek was born May 23, 1928 to John and Helen (Benda) Hrabanek. He was the four of six children. He attended grades 1-8 at country school and graduated from Colome High School in 1946. He entered the Navy and served on a seaplane tender in the Pacific during the Korean War. After returning from the service he attended Springfield College in Springfield, SD, receiving his Bachelor's degree. He taught math, social studies, English, shop and driver's education in Kimball High School from 1957-1959. He then returned to the family farm to farm with his father until his father passed away and then continued farming on his own.

Jim married Wanda (Bromwich) Hopkins on June 7th, 1968. To this union one daughter, Sheri Lee, was born. Jim and Wanda worked side by side on the farm; working the fields, putting up hay, and raising hogs and cattle. Wanda passed away in 2000 and Jim continued to farm and ranch, loving the outdoor work. He could walk among his cattle as though they were his gentle pets. Later in life, he would be known to handpick corn from the field and haul the buckets to the cows to feed them. It delighted his grandchildren that the cattle would come eat the ear of corn out of their hands. He would know each tag number and could rattle off the history of each cow or heifer without hesitation.

Jim enjoyed playing poker. He and Wanda would go to the local casinos on poker nights and Wanda would play the slot machines to pass the time or sit and visit with the other poker wives. They made wonderful friends through their time at the casinos. Jim continued to play poker until he was unable to make the trip to the casinos, but still loved to talk about it and would have the excitement telling the stories as if he was right there in the game.

Jim also grew to have a strong love for gardening. He grew tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, squash; sometimes going out at 4AM, if that's when he woke, to tend to his plants under a yard light. He would plant over 100 tomato plants and would nurture them to grow as tall as his own height. He enjoyed eating tomatoes at every meal… yes, every meal… He also loved cucumbers and made quart after quart, and gallon after gallon, of delicious pickles. He was so proud of his apple trees and made countless jars of his sauce. He was always more than happy to share the products of all his hard work with anyone and everyone.

His grandchildren brought great joy to his life. Devon and Grandpa had an instant bond in sharing the same birthday of the 23rd (different months). Devon spent many hours out on the farm with Grandpa. When Brindy was old enough she was there as much as possible also. Grandpa loved hearing about what was going on in their lives and would call each of them specifically to visit with them. He would carry pictures of the kids and proudly show them to any friends he saw. His interest in antique cars was carried on to his grandchildren. He was so proud of the '59 Chevy that he drove in parades and passed down to Devon & the '66 Oldsmobile that he passed down to Brindy.

In June of 2016, he moved to the Elder Inn in Winner, until he was hospitalized in February of 2018 after a fall. After dismissal from the hospital he moved to the Care Facility in Gregory quickly befriending all of the staff there.

Jim was a friendly, giving, caring man with a smile, a wave and a hello for everyone he saw. A stranger would soon turn into a friend. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Jim is survived by his daughter Sheri (Vernon), Winner, SD, his grandson Devon (Amanda and daughters Payten and Laska), Mt. Vernon, SD, his granddaughter Brindy, Winner, SD, his great-granddaughter Adalynn, Box Elder, SD, stepsons Dale (Rhonda) Hopkins, Monte (Patricia) Hopkins, step grandchildren Bill, Tiffany, Brian, Shelby, Kami, Eugene, Glen, Steve, Kalla and several step great-grandchildren, brother-in-law Olaf Larson, sisters-in-law Caroline Hrabanek and Eunice Willms-Sharer, brothers-in-law Dean, Arthur, and Darrel Bromwich, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Wanda, sisters Lucille, Irene, Julia "Toots", Mabel, brother Chuck, and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.