Joseph Senyak: 1942-2022
Joseph Senyak, 79, of Gettysburg, S.D., passed away Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at Avera Oahe Manor in Gettysburg, S.D. A funeral was held April 26 at the United Methodist Church, Gettysburg, with Pastor Jeff Adel officiating. Burial was in the Gettysburg Cemetery, with military honors.
Joseph Senyak was born Oct. 13, 1942 to Peter and Anna (Stempak) Senyak at Lehigh County, Pa. He graduated from Whitehall High School in Whitehall, Pa.
Following graduation, on Oct. 23, 1961, Joe enlisted in the United State Air Force. Joe was stationed in Lyon, France before being stationed at Gettysburg Air Force Base. Here is where he met Janelle Wager. They were married Oct. 8, 1965. Joe was honorably discharged on Oct. 22, 1965. During his service, he earned the small arms expert marksmanship (1965) and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award DAF (1965)
Together Joe and Janelle made their home in Gettysburg. Joe started his career in law enforcement, working for the city of Gettysburg for one year and then serving as Potter County Sherriff from 1968 until 1973. Joe then joined South Dakota Highway Patrol, moving his family to the Freeman, S.D. community while he worked as a trooper from 1973 until 1979. The family eventually returned to Gettysburg. Joe left law enforcement for some time, working for American Freight, Tote Inc., Northern Plains Coop, and J & J Senyak Trucking after he bought his own truck. In 2003, Joe returned to law enforcement serving as the Gettysburg City Chief of Police until 2009. Following his retirement, Joe worked as a train locomotive operator for NCFE/Agtegra until 2019.
Joe was a member of the South Dakota Sheriff’s Association while serving as sheriff, and he was a member, and served as post commander from 2011 to 2013, of Ralph Leui American Legion Post #135, Gettysburg. When not working, Joe spent time babying his pear tree in his backyard, keeping his lawn perfectly manicured, spoiling the grandkids and fishing when time would allow.
Those left to cherish Joe’s life are his wife, Janelle; sons: Joey and Mike (Jean) Senyak, all of Gettysburg; his grandchildren: Stetson Senyak (Stasha) of Great Falls, Mont., Steven Senyak of Gettysburg, and Sydney Senyak (Phillip Vetter) of Aberdeen, S.D.; great-grandchildren: Kaimbre Ann and Roman of Great Falls; brother, Paul Senyak, Allantown, Pa.; brother-in-law: Lanny (Jayne) Wager, Gettysburg; nieces: Sandy (Carl) Raber, Terry (Dewey) Dennis, and Kristi (Chris) Effling; nephew: Dusty (Aimee) Wager; and numerous great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Anna; mother and father-in-law, Sidney and Nina (Eldeen) Wager; sisters-in-law: Yvonne Senyak and Anita Wager; and brother-in-law: Doug Maynard.
