Francis Determan
Dates
August 15, 1935 - August 17, 2026Obituary
Francis Determan, 91, Mitchell, SD, died peacefully Monday, August 17, 2026, at Avera Brady Health and Rehab in Mitchell. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 AM Friday, August 21, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mitchell. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery Of The Parish St. Anthony in Browns Valley, MN. Visitation will be Thursday from 5-7:00 PM at the Church with a 6:30 PM prayer service followed by the Rosary.
Francis Thomas Determan was born on August 15, 1935, to Henry and Mabel (Reddy) Determan in Graceville, MN. Francis was an only child raised on a farm between Browns Valley and Wheaton, Minnesota. During his youth, he grew up alongside his cousin, Stanley Jerabek, who came to live with the family after losing his mother.
Francis attended Northern State College in Aberdeen where he obtained a degree in secondary education, the nickname "Roudy," and met his soon to be wife, Clara Steichen. He then attended South Dakota State University in Brookings where he received a Master’s Degree in Education. Francis also served in the Army National Guard of South Dakota.
The Determan family first lived in Volga, South Dakota, where Francis began his career in education as a teacher while earning his master's degree. They then moved to Ocheyedan, Iowa, where he taught and coached girls' basketball. Later, the family relocated to Tyndall, South Dakota, where Francis served as principal; Revillo, South Dakota, where he was superintendent of the Grant-Deuel School District; and finally Mount Vernon, South Dakota, where he served as superintendent of schools until his retirement.
Francis often joked that he would settle down in Mount Vernon once the children had graduated and he no longer needed to move to stay ahead of their mischief. Instead, following his retirement after the 1993-94 school year, he moved to Mitchell.
Francis was a passionate Minnesota Vikings fan and collected toy tractors for several decades. He enjoyed his annual trips to watch the Vikings in Minneapolis, as well as road trips to toy tractor conventions across the Midwest. Francis was also a referee for high school basketball and football for 20 years. He was a member of the Catholic Church and held a deep and sound faith instilled by his parents. He was also quick to point out the faults of the Church when needed.
Francis is survived by his wife, Clara Sue Determan; daughters, Cathy (Jim) Janousek of Libertyville, IL and Dorothy (Cary) Hajek of Tyndall, SD; sons, Tom (Sarah) of Yuma, AZ and John (Bonita) of Mt. Vernon, SD; 11 grandchildren: Aaron (Melissa) Determan, Josh (Lindsey) Determan, Sarah (Matt) Miotti, Rebecca Determan, Jeffrey (Haley) Janousek, Andrew (EB) Determan, Alexis Determan, Tanner (Amber) Hajek, Laura (Alex Blacketor) Janousek, Maddison (Devon) Leiferman, and Macy Hajek; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Francis was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Mabel Determan; granddaughter, Rachel Determan, and cousin, Stanley Jerabek.
Visitation(s)
Thursday, August 20, 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
6:30 PM Prayer Service
Holy Family Catholic Church
222 N Kimball St
Mitchell, SD 57301
Service
Friday, August 21, 2026
10:30 AM
Holy Family Catholic Church
222 N Kimball St
Mitchell, SD 57301
Cemetery
Calvary Cemetery Of The Parish St. AnthonyBrowns Valley, MN
Mark Determan
(2nd cousin thru Herman's son, Charles Determan)
Burmo
I was so very sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing.
Some of my happiest memories of growing up in Mount Vernon include the many hours I spent with Cathy, Tom, John and Dorothy. The Determan home always seemed to be full of activity (and a little bit of chaos!) but more than anything, it was warm and welcoming. I always felt at home there and I credit your Mom and Dad for that.
As a Superintendent, Mr. Determan genuinely cared about all of us. He encouraged us, believed in us, and made us feel that we mattered. As a child, I probably didn’t fully appreciate how fortunate we were to have someone like him looking out for us. As an adult, and especially after spending my own career in education, I came to understand just how much that kind of caring leadership matters.
My grade school and high school years were better because Mr. Determan was part of them. He was one of those people who helped shape my childhood in ways that lasted long after I left Mount Vernon.
I am especially thankful that our connection did not end when I graduated. What a gift it was to remain in touch with him through the years. I will always treasure that.
Mr. Determan lived a long and meaningful life, and I hope your family knows how far his influence reached. There are many of us who grew up in Mount Vernon carrying a little piece of his encouragement, kindness, humor, and caring with us.
I am certainly one of them.
With love and deepest sympathy,
Debora
I got to know Francis and Clara when I would visit my mom at Countryside Living. Francis would joke with me if i was there on Thursday nights to play Right Center Left that he was going to take my North Dakota/Minnesota money. He was quite the character!!
RIP Francis