Emil Berka
Emil was born on June 8th, 1947 in Clovis, New Mexico to Frank and Marie (Kinzie) Berka; the second of six children. He grew up on the family farm near Tyndall, South Dakota where he attended a rural school and then graduated from Tyndall High School.
On his 18th birthday he joined the US Navy, and served from 1965-1968 as a Fire Control Technician. After his honorable discharge he decided to stay in Seattle, where he worked as welder and machinist. He worked for several companies and then began working on his own, converting ships and boats for the fishing industry.
His greatest passions were traveling and collecting antiques.
He is survived by his brothers: Jim of Salem OR, Charlie of Aumsville OR and Ed of Tyndall SD; three nephews: Justin of Tyndall SD, Mike of Avon SD, Joseph of Niceville, FL; and a niece Jodi of Silverton, OR.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Mary (Berka) Schenkel and a brother Paul Berka.
Emil will be laid to rest with military honors at Tahoma National Cemetery on July 5th, 2016 at 12:30pm.