WAYNE CIHAK

Wayne Adolph Cihak, age 85, passed away on December 23, 2025, after courageously fighting a prolonged illness. He was surrounded by the love and presence of his family in his final days.

Wayne was born on August 31, 1940, in Avon to Adolph Anton Cihak and Helen Veronica (Pekas) Cihak. He grew up in rural Charles Mix County and attended a one room schoolhouse in Dante, an experience that shaped his strong work ethic and sense of community. Wayne later graduated from Wagner High School, where he was a proud member of both the basketball and football teams. He continued his education at Springfield College, studying accounting.

In 1961, Wayne married Sheila Jean (Von Eschen), beginning a 64 year marriage rooted in mutual devotion, humor, and unwavering love. Together they raised four children—Jim, Maura, Patrick, and Roderick—while living in Mitchell, Sioux Falls, and eventually Denver, Colorado, before returning to South Dakota.

Wayne spent his entire professional life in the telephone industry. He began his career with AT&T and continued through the sweeping restructuring of the telecommunications landscape following the Bell System breakup, working with Northwestern Bell, then Qwest, and finally CenturyLink, which later became Lumen Technologies. His calm reliability, technical skill, and dedication earned the respect of coworkers and customers throughout his long career.

Wayne enjoyed a life filled with simple pleasures shared with those he loved. He was an avid bowler in in his early adulthood, relished card games with family and friends, and took great joy in fantasy football, never missing a chance to follow his teams. A loyal sports fan, he cheered faithfully for his favorite local professional teams year after year.

Above all, Wayne valued family. He is survived by his wife Sheila; and their children: Jim (Jeanne) Cihak, Dallas, TX, Maura Giebink, Sioux Falls, Patrick Cihak, Chester, VA, and Roderick Cihak, Sioux Falls.

He is also survived by his nine grandchildren—Travis, Nic, Chase, and Sam Giebink; Daniel, Alexander, Katherine, Molly, and Andrew Cihak— and seven great grandchildren: Braden, Rex, Tempy, Hayes, Quinn, Harrison, and Ellis.

Wayne is further survived by his brother Norman (Judy) Cihak of Yankton.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister JoAnne; his son in law Jeff Giebink; and daughter in law Kristen Cihak.

Wayne will be remembered for his steady presence, quick wit, quiet strength, and generous heart. His legacy lives on in his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and the many lives he touched.