William “Bill” Joseph Troske, 77, of Turton, South Dakota, died January 29, 2025, at his winter home in Gold Canyon, Arizona. Bill’s final act of kindness was to give the gift of life through tissue donation.
A visitation will take place on Friday, February 14, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. followed by a Rosary, Prayer Service, and storytelling at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Turton.
Mass of Christian Burial followed by a lunch reception will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Reverends Joe Vogel and Gregory Tschakert will officiate with music provided by pianist Audrey Remily and the church choir. Military honors will follow the service outside the church.
The prayer service, storytelling, and funeral Mass will be live-streamed on the funeral home’s website below Bill’s obituary. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home of Redfield, South Dakota (www.hykefuneralhome.com).
Bill was born on August 11, 1947, in Aberdeen, South Dakota to Irvin and Marjorie (Hill) Troske. He was the oldest of eight children. While growing up, Bill enjoyed spending time with his rowdy uncles, cousins and grandparents, horseback riding, and being outdoors. He attended school in Turton through 6th grade then transitioned to Doland to continue his education. Throughout school, Bill was active in FFA and loved participating in plays, serving on student council, and playing his baritone in the band. He was honored to direct one of the band’s numbers in the Senate Rotunda in Washington D.C. during Lyndon B. Johnson and Hubert H. Humphrey’s inauguration in 1965.
After graduating from Doland High School in 1965, he attended South Dakota State University (1965-1969) and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education. During this time, Bill was an active member of the ROTC. He found enjoyment attending the Summit League tournament, Jackrabbit football games, and the Hobo Day Parade. He was proud to wear his Jackrabbit attire and make connections with people all over the world who shared his love for his alma mater.
After graduating from SDSU, Bill was commissioned in the U.S. Army Reserves in February 1970 as a 2nd Lieutenant until November 1976. During his military service, he attended Quartermaster Officer Basic training in Fort Lee, Virginia, 3 weeks of Airborne training in Fort Benning, Georgia, and Airdrop Officer Rigger School in Fort Lee, Virginia. He was stationed for active duty in Fort Bragg, North Carolina in the HHC Fifth Special Forces Group and was assigned to Rigger Platoon, packing parachutes. His time in the military gave him an appreciation of enlisted men of all ethnic backgrounds and the opportunity to explore the United States. He was proud to be a veteran and serve our great country. Bill was an active member of the American Legion in Conde, South Dakota (Unit #148) and served as Commander for many years.
Following his military service, Bill returned to Turton and dedicated decades of his life tending to the cattle and crops on the family farm. He never shied away from a hard day’s work and found peace walking the land and witnessing the beautiful sunrises and sunsets each day. He was an active member of the Turton community and St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Bill had two children, Tonya (1974) and Dylan (1976) with his first wife, Carol Lynn Ryan. He later met and married his wife of 38 years, Patricia Rae Flakus. In 1983, Bill and Pat met while attending a Divorce, Separate, and Widow Support Group in Aberdeen, South Dakota. They married in 1986 and raised two children, Emily (1986) and Briana (1989).
Throughout his life, Bill showed a constant dedication to his family. He modeled the importance of spending time together while also making sure his children and grandchildren could grow independently. He was immensely proud of his family member’s accomplishments and was blessed to share so many beautiful memories with each of them.
After retiring from farming, Bill enjoyed spending time with Pat at their lake cabin on Enemy Swim, exploring the world (Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, and Switzerland), wintering in Gold Canyon, Arizona, playing cards with his Turton and Conde friends, dancing, bird watching, hiking, visiting the national parks, watching his grandchildren in school activities, and visiting his children across the U.S.
In honor of Bill’s memory, the family would love donations to be made to a local charity of your choice or to plant a tree in his name.
He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Patricia Troske. He also leaves behind children Tonya (Thomas) Troske, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Dylan (Amy) Troske, Northville, South Dakota; Emily (Kelly) Benson, Oshkosh, Wisconsin; Briana (Andrew) Litz, Duluth, Minnesota; grandchildren Nick, Rhianna, Sophia & Eva (Dylan & Amy), Ahmoni & Gio (Emily & Kelly), Baby Litz (Briana & Andrew); siblings Heidi (Max) Williams, Brentford, South Dakota; Sara (Chuck) Baldwin, Rockport, Texas; Danette (Mark), Pierre, South Dakota; Rory (Ginny), Turton; Dana (Angie), Eagle, Nebraska; and Camille (Chris) Settle, Seattle, Washington; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Irvin and Marjorie Troske, and brother, David.
