Darrell E. Vondrak, 75, of Sioux City, passed away on Easter
Sunday, April 1, 2018, at Holy Spirit Retirement Home following a courageous
twelve year battle with Parkinson's disease after having twice survived kidney
cancer. A memorial visitation will be Thursday, April 5, 2018, with family
present from 4 to 8 P.M. with a Rosary at 4 P.M. at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel.
Darrell was born the son of Francis and Marguerite (Lamoureux)
Vondrak on October 14, 1942, in Sioux City, Iowa. He attended St. Michael's
school in Leeds and graduated from Heelan High School
in 1961. He served in both the Iowa Air National Guard and the Army National
Guard with his primary unit being the 185th Tactical Fighter Group. He later
attended Upper Iowa University and the University of Minnesota where he earned
a degree in Healthcare Administration. Darrell married Susan Culver on November 25, 1967, in Sioux City.
He was the administrator of Manning General Hospital from 1974 to 1984, CEO of Palo Alto County
Hospital from 1984 to 2005 in Emmetsburg, Iowa, and CEO of Decatur County
Hospital in Leon, Iowa, from 2005 until his retirement in 2009. Following his
retirement, he moved to Sioux City where he lived until his death.
He was a member of Rotary Club and the Iowa Hospital Association.
Darrell enjoyed horses and working on his acreage. He also enjoyed spending
time with his grandchildren and taking them to get coffee and donuts.
Darrell is survived by his son, Jeff Vondrak of Le Mars and his children,
Chase, Hailey, Hunter, and Taylor; son, Steve Vondrak and his wife, Mary of San
Clemente, California, and their son, Stone; daughter, Kerry Knudsen of Osage,
Iowa, and her children Mia and Max; Susan Vondrak, who was his wife of forty-two
years and then his devoted caretaker throughout his illness; brother Lynn
Vondrak of North Sioux City, South Dakota; sister, Jolene Siedelmann
and her husband Greg of Omaha, Nebraska; two sisters-in-law, Iveta Kerber of Emmetsburg, Iowa, and Judy Vondrak of Galva, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Arley and Ron Vondrak; infant brother Larry; and sister-in-law, Jane Vondrak.
Note: children attended Manning Schools.
Jeffrey Vondrak - former MHS 1987
Steven Vondrak - former MHS 1989
Kerry Vondrak - former MHS 1991