Donald L. Dvorak

Donald Dvorak, Age 84 of Lankin, ND and Grand Forks, ND passed away on Thursday November 08, 2012 at his home in Grand Forks under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. Donald L. Dvorak was born May 31, 1928 in Lankin, ND the son of the late William A and Evelyn (Jechort) Dvorak where he grew up and attended school. Donald married Avis Northagen, the love of his life, on June 23, 1948 in Crookston, MN. They were happily married for 56 years. He worked in the Homestake Gold Mine in Lead, SD for about a year. The couple returned to Lankin and he started hauling gravel and water with his dad. Don and Avis started Don Dvorak Gravel and he owned and operated it for over 60 years, up until the time of his death. Donald was a very prominent businessman. Avis died November 26, 2004. Donald was united in marriage to Marlene Waxvig on June 29, 2007 in Grand Forks and they resided there. Don loved old time music and he and Avis started sponsoring Don's Polka Party in Lankin with this being the 20th year. He promoted the music through radio advertising and many parades through the years. His favorite saying was "Stay Young, Go Dancing". Don served on the Lankin City Council for 38 years and was still a member. He was a charter member of Consolidated Landfill Board, which was started 34 years ago and still served on that board. He served on the Lankin School Board from 1976 to 2005. He was a charter member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Lankin. He was currently a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church of Grand Forks. Don is survived by his wife Marlene of Grand Forks, ND; children: Cheryl (Darrell) Troftgruben, Fargo, ND; Cynthia (Keith) Olson, Colorado Springs, CO; Debra (Rick) Lee, Adams, ND; Scott (Julie) Dvorak and Jason (LaVonne) Dvorak, both of Grand Forks, ND; ten grandchildren: Jamie (Raquel) Olson, Carisa (Chris) Strole, Kerri (Chad) Johnson, Jocelyn and Holli Lee, Brittany, Kylie, and Brady Dvorak, Jordan and Andrew Dvorak; five great grandchildren: Megan Olson, Kaitlyn and Karley Strole, JC and Bella Conahan and sister: LaVerne (Leo) Bosh, Lankin, ND. Several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews also survive along with Marlene's sons; Timothy Ganyo, Fairfield, CA; Mark Ganyo and Mike Ganyo, both of Houston, TX; Ray Ganyo, Grand Forks, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Avis, and brother Gene. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Lankin, ND. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-7 with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton. Friends may also call at the church on Wednesday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at 3:00 PM at Memorial Park Cemetery of Grand Forks, ND.