Anton "Tony" Wika

WEBSTER- Anton “Tony” Wika 85, longtime Webster Barber died on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at Bethesda Home in Webster. Traditional Latin Mass of Requiem will be 1:00 P.M. Friday May 31, 2019 at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster, Fr. Trummer will officiate. Military interment will be at St. Otto’s Cemetery near Webster. Visitation will be Thursday 1-7 P.M. closing with the rosary led by Tony’s family. Fiksdal Funeral Service of Webster is in charge of the arrangements. fiksdalfuneral.com. Anton “Tony” Joseph Wika was born on October 23, 1933 to Joseph and Elizabeth (Boik) Wika on the family farm in Day County, South Dakota. Tony attended parochial school in Grenville, South Dakota and graduated from Webster High School in 1950. After his education, he worked on the family farm for a short time and later enlisted in the United States Airforce, where he was the crew chief of a B47 Bomber from 1952-1957. While in the Airforce, Tony was stationed at Little Rock Airforce Base in Jacksonville, Arkansas to begin with. He was later stationed in Spain, North Africa, and Portugal. He also spent time in Morocco and Puerto Rico during his enlistment. He proudly served his country during the Korean War. He also took private flying lessons and learned how to fly solo. Tony returned to Webster and worked on the farm with his father until he decided to attend barber school in Seattle, WA. Tony was united in marriage to Norma (Rath) on September 3, 1962 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Aberdeen, SD. The couple made their home in Webster, where he barbered at Mink’s Barber Shop until 1963 when the family moved to Yankton, South Dakota. In 1967, they moved back to Webster to take over Mink's barber shop business, which was renamed “Tony’s Barber Shop”. He operated the barber shop for over 57 years. Tony and Norma enjoyed music and were known as The Tony and Norma Band. The couple played for many weddings and other events over the years. Tony would cut hair, sing, and entertain for nursing home residents and the homebound. He was known as “The Singing Barber” all around the area. He was a longtime member of the American Legion, where he did the books for many years. He was also a member of Right to Life, John Birch Society and taught CCD while in Yankton. He also was an alter server until the age of 85 at Our Lady of the Snows Chapel in Crooks, South Dakota. He was very proud of his polish heritage. He enjoyed making phone calls to his family and friends, reading, fishing and gardening. He was very devoted to “Our Lady” and would recite the rosary daily. Tony was a very charitable person. He made donations to many great causes over the years. He welcomed many friends, as well as strangers, into his home whenever they needed food or a place to stay. Tony loved his children and grandchildren and cherished every moment with each of them. Tony passed away on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at Webster, South Dakota at the age of 85 years 7 months and 5 days. Tony is survived by his wife, Norma; sons, Mark (Melissa) Wika of Pierpont, SD, Brett Wika of Watertown, SD, Daniel (Holly Karenbauer) Wika of Webster, SD, special friend (like a son) Bruce Markegard of Watertown, SD; daughters, Theresa Goehring of St. Mary’s, KS, Lora (Floyd) Kirkvold of Iroquois, SD, Brenda (Lance) Huggett of Long Prairie, MN, Gina Wika of Howard, SD; special friend (like a daughter) Shonda Johnson of Scotland, SD; one brother, William Wika of Webster, SD; one sister, Lorraine Erickson of Webster; 20 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Esther Fromelt, Della Mitchell, Gladys DeBilzan and Mary Kuecker; one grandson, Jacob Huggett and several nieces and nephews.