Tony Seykora, 101, Owatonna

Tony Seykora, Owatonna, died May 6, 2023, at Homestead Hospice House.

Memorial service is set for Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. at Brick – Meger Funeral in Owatonna. Burial with Military Rites by the Steele County Funeral Unit will take place at Bohemian National Cemetery. Friends may greet the family one hour before the time of services on Saturday at the funeral home.

Tony was born Jan. 19, 1922, in Owatonna to Anton and Mary (Meixner) Seykora. He attended Owatonna High School and was a member of the graduating class of 1939. Tony enlisted in the Navy Air Corp in August of 1942. After flight training, he enlisted in the Marine Air Corp in December of 1943. He was a flight instructor for instruments until July of 1945. He spent time overseas and in China before being discharged in October of 1946.

Upon his return, he started Steele County Implement IHC selling farm implements, boats, motors, trailers, and motorhomes.

He was united in marriage to Doris Pettyjohn on July 28, 1948. Together they raised two children, Gary and Susan. He sold the implement business to Butch Borchert in 1982.

Tony loved flying and he started flying with Buzz Kaplan in 1946. He took many fishing and hunting trips to the Arctic and Alaska. He flew to Greenland to recover a lost squadron of P-38 Lighting and B-17’s. He also toured Europe with an S-56 Savoia airplane. Tony was a member of the American Legion, V.F.W. and the Elks.

Tony is survived by his children Gary (Linda) Seykora, Owatonna and Susan (Jack) Bass, Claremont; sister Jean Buboltz of Albert Lea; grandchildren Tony (Chantelle) Seykora, Amanda (Chad) Nelson; great-grandchildern: Ali, Colin, and Aleah Nelson. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris; brothers Don and Robert; sisters Martha, Mary, Agnes, Rose, Irene and Virginia. For more information go to www.megercares.com.