STEPHEN REZAC

Stephen Rezac, 82 of Sioux Falls, passed away with family at his side on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at the Dougherty Hospice House. A Memorial Mass was held on Wednesday, October 15 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with burial at St. Michael Cemetery. Stephen Alvin Rezac was born in 1942 on the family farm south of Dante. He was the oldest son of Mary and Louis Rezac and the second of eight children. He attended a nearby country school through eighth grade. After eighth grade Stephen stayed on the family farm assisting his father for a few years before he struck out on his own. He was working a retail job in Wagner when he met the beautiful Ms. Arlene Doty. Just a year later, the two were wed. They briefly lived in an apartment in Wagner, which they ultimately ended up buying and renting to mostly elderly tenants for many years. After the birth of their third son, Stephen and family left the apartment and returned to farming south of Dante, not far from where his father still farmed. ArSTEPHEN REZAC lene might note she required an indoor bathroom be added to the home before she would move into it. Word is the Rezac’s were accustomed to roughing it, and Arlene sought to add some refinement to their lives. Her children thank her for that! Stephen and Arlene had five more children, for a total of eight; seven boys and one courageous girl. Times were typically tough on the farm, and occasionally Stephen took side jobs to help make ends meet. One of his favorite side hustles was buying and selling cars. He did so honestly and with integrity, but his children can tell you some interesting stories if you ever care to ask. Stephen was a very active member of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Dante. Over the years he taught confirmation catechism, was a eucharistic minister, a lector, and otherwise contributed a great deal of his time and energy to church functions and activities. His zeal for supporting and contributing to his church community continued for his entire life. During his final years living at the Avera Prince of Peace Retirement Community in Sioux Falls, he even served as an alter server, as all of his sons did as boys back in Dante. He also continued to act as a eucharistic minister, which included delivering communion to residents of Prince of Peace who weren’t physically able to get to the chapel. Although his busy life of farming and raising eight children didn’t leave time for many hobbies, Stephen had a deep appreciation of music, and he really enjoyed singing. He and Arlene performed in the Bon Homme Community Easter Cantata for a number of seasons. While living at Prince of Peace, he also acted as the back-up singing lead at the chapel when needed. And you were certain to hear his voice at any mass or other church celebration that provided him the opportunity to sing. Thankful for having shared in his life are his wife, Arlene Rezac; his children John (Lori) Rezac of Salt Lake City, James (Bobbi) Rezac of Sioux Falls, Christopher (Laura) Rezac of Charleston, SC, Brian (Sheila) Rezac of Lennox, David (Leigh) Rezac of Brandon, Stephanie (Jose) Dominguez of Vermillion, Louis (Christy) Rezac of Malta, and Bradley Rezac of Sioux Falls; and his siblings Darlene (Bob) Kolda, Dorothy (Robert) Fink, Laverne (Sally) Rezac, Romaine (Ruby) Rezac, Dan Rezac, Juliann (Paul) Tolsma and Mike (Laurie) Rezac; and his grandchildren Alison Rezac Martin, Hailey Rezac, Katie (Wesley) Weischedel, Zach Rezac, Elizabeth (Mason) Meyer, Madelyn Rezac, Noah Dominguez, Joaquin Dominguez, Liliana Dominguez, Alyosha Rezac, and Aaru Rezac; and nine great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was loved and will be missed. For obituary and online registry please visit www.millerfh.com