Karel A Kulhavy, age 92, of Baltic, died Saturday, September 5, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Society Village in Sioux Falls.

A private service and burial will take place at a later date at the ZCBJ Cemetery in Wagner.

Karel was born in Wagner, in 1934. He lived in Wagner, Armour, and Lake Andes and graduated from Armour High School in 1952. After high school, he proudly served four years in the United States Air Force.

Following his military service, Karel attended Southern State Teachers College in Springfield. Upon graduating from college, he took a math and science teaching position in Belvidere. There, he met and married Dee Braithwaite in 1961. Karel and Dee welcomed their son, Kevin, in January 1965. That same year, they moved to Rapid City.

In 1969, Karel pursued another math and science teaching position in Corsica. In 1974, he began working for the Federal Aviamtion Administration as a navigational aids electronic technician in Pierre. He moved to Aberdeen in 1980 and settled in Baltic in 1985. Karel worked at the Sioux Falls Airport until his retirement in 1999.

Karel had many interests and took great pride in the things he could do with his hands. He loved fixing things and was always willing to figure out how something worked and make it better. He also had a special love for horses, and some of his fondest moments were spent feeding them alongside his granddaughter, Olivia.

Karel also enjoyed playing pool, especially when he could share a game with his son, Kevin. These times together created memories that will be cherished by his family. One of Karel's proudest moments came in 2019, when he became a great-grandpa to his great-granddaughter, Hattie. His joy grew again in 2021 with the arrival of his great-grandson, Otto. He was proud of both of them and treasured his role as their great-grandpa.

Karel is survived by his son Kevin and his wife, Dawn; granddaughter Olivia and her husband, Matt Lind; and two great-grandchildren, Hattie and Otto; his brother, Fancis, along with his nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his loyal and loving wife, Dee, parents, Phillip and Lola Kulhavy; sister, Norma Nunes; and brother, Dick Kulhavy.

Karel will be remembered for his love of family, his willingness to lend a hand, his ability to fix just about anything, his love of horses, and the special memories he made with those he loved.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Good Samaritan Society Village in Sioux Falls for the compassionate care, kindness, and support they provided to Karel during the time he resided there until his passing.