DuWaine Elmer Sykora was born on August 25, 1931 in Amo Township to the late Elmer and Pearl (Schoen) Sykora. He grew up on the family farm and attended Windom School, graduating in 1949. DuWaine enlisted in the United States Army in 1952 and was honorably discharged in 1953. He then went home to take over the family farm while also driving a moving van across the country. On August 12, 1956, DuWaine was united in marriage to Lois Flater at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mountain Lake. They were blessed with three boys -- Allen, Eugene and Rodney. DuWaine worked his family farm along with working jobs at Land O' Lakes and Peterson Construction, where they built the new auditorium in the Comfrey School. He would repair his own farm equipment and the neighbors would bring theirs to him also. In 1970, the family moved to an acreage right outside of Storden, where he worked at Farmer's Grain Sales and Service as a mechanic. In 1974, the family moved into town to their present home. When the service business closed, DuWaine drove a Star Route mail truck with Disco trucking until he retired in 1997. DuWaine was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, where he served as an usher and on the church council. DuWaine was a 50+ year member of the Storden American Legion, where he served as commander for many years and also as financial officer. He was a charter member of the Sun Valley Gun Club and a member of the Storden Lions Club. DuWaine was a big camera buff and he never went to a family gathering without his camera and movie camera. Family enjoyed packing in the living room for movie night, as he would set up his screen so we could watch hours of movies and slides. DuWaine was a storyteller who always had a wealth of information that he loved to share with everyone. He enjoyed fishing, trap shooting, the Minnesota Twins and Vikings and spending time with his family. He was very proud of his boys, grandchildren and great grandchildren. DuWaine left us Sept. 11 on his second day in the Hospice House in Slayton to join his Father in heaven after a courageous battle with cancer. DuWaine is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lois Sykora of Storden; sons Allen (Dawn) Sykora of Bend, OR, Eugene (Jean) Sykora of Hutchinson and Rodney (Angela) Sykora of Jeffers; grandchildren Greg (Olivia) Sykora, Kevin (Qi Xia) Sykora, Melinda (Cornelio) Becerra, Stephanie (James) Andersen, Jason (Jen) Sykora, Dustin (Ashlee) Sykora and Molly Sykora; nine great grandchildren; sisters Vonnie Cavanaugh, Pinella Park, FL, and Karen Madison, Adrian; and several nieces and nephews. DuWaine was preceded in death by his parents, sister Lola Mae Brandt and sister-in-law Ruth Ringle; brothers-in-law Gary Smith, Gary Cavanaugh, Franklin "Smokey" Brandt, Gary Madison, Harold Hlavacek and Ernie Ringle. Blessed be the memory of DuWaine Elmer Sykora.