Louie, as he was known to his family and friends, was born along with his identical twin brother, Emil, on September 17, 1906, to Josef and Anna (Petrik) Cvach on a farm near Tobias, Nebraska.  In March of 1907 Louis' family moved to a homestead four miles north of Kadoka where he grew up and attended West Werner rural school.  Later he attended Kadoka school and Highland Center High School, north of Belvidere.

As a young man, Louie ranched with his parents northwest of Belvidere.  In 1944 he attended Reppert Auctioneer School in Decatur, Indiana, after which he made his home in Belvidere.

Louie was united in marriage to Bernice Miles on December 31, 1946.  To this union were born a son, Larry, and two daughters, Dorothy and Barbara.

From 1946 to 1956 Louie managed the Tri-State Milling Elevator in Belvidere.  During this time he also was an auctioneer at the sale barns in Belvidere, Philip, Rapid City, and Fort Pierre.  In the early 60's he co-managed the Philip Livestock Auction.  He sold farm sales for miles around, from Dupree to Wanblee and Sturgis to Mitchell.

In 1957, Louie and Bernice moved thier family to Kadoka.  Louie continued his auctioneer service and owned and operated a ranch twenty miles northeast of Kadoka.  After Barbara graduated in 1976 they moved to the ranch, where they loved the ranch life.

Louie was active in community service for many years.  He started this role in his early twenties when he was a member of the Indian Creek Township Board.  He was a member of the Belvidere Fire Department.  Louie felt education was important and served on the Belvidere School Board.  After he moved to Kadoka, he served on the Kadoka School Board for 16 years.  He was a member of the Kadoka Presbyterian Church and served as a trustee on the church board.

Music was an integral part of his life as well.  Louie learned to play the violin and baritone while attending the Highland Center School.  He often told stories about carrying the baritone on horseback to band practice.  He played the baritone in the Belvidere band for almost fifty years.

Louie and Bernice made their home on the ranch until September, 1988, when poor health forced them to moved into the Kadoka Care Center.  In 1991 they moved to the Gateway Apartments and in September, 1994, moved back to the Kadoka Care Center.

Louie leaves his wife, Bernice Cvach, Kadoka; one son and his wife, Larry and Ann Cvach, Midland; two daughters and their husbands, Dorothy and Odell Overgaard, Fort Atkinson, Iowa, and Barbara and James Hockenbary, Murdo; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one sister, Rose Best, Custer; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Josef and Anna Cvach; and infant brother and sister; two brothers, Emil Cvach and Adolf Cvach; and a sister, Mamie Allen.

A memorial has been established.

Services
Thursday, January 9, 1997
2:00 p.m.
Presbyterian Church
Kadoka, South Dakota

Officiating
Pastor Gary McCubbin

Music
Jean Weller - Organist
Susan Davidson - Vocalist
"How Great Thou Art"
"Amazing Grace"

Ushers
Leonard Carlson - Billy Markwed

Active Pallbearers
Wesley Cvach - Chris Overgaard
Russell Cvach - Eric Overgaard
Bradley Cvach - David Hockenbary
Charlie Carlson

Honorary Pallbearers
All relatives and friends in attendance

Interment
Belvidere Cemetery
Belvidere, South Dakota