Antone “Tony” Kukla, 86, Killdeer, died Friday, September 10, 2010 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. Tony’s Mass of Christian Burial will at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Killdeer, with Fr. Darnis Selvanayakam, MSFX as the celebrant. Interment will take place at the Korsun Cemetery, west of Killdeer. Military honors will be provided by the Killdeer American Legion, Ezra Barrows Post #46 following the mass. Visitation will be on Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the church. There will be a vigil at 7 p.m., Monday at the church. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church.
Antone was born March 1, 1924 at Killdeer, the son of Prokop and Anastesia (Maluha) Kukla. He was raised and educated in Killdeer, having attended the Whetstone Grade School, west of Killdeer. Tony has spent his entire life in the Killdeer area. He enlisted in the United States Navy and served honorably from October 23, 1944 to July 19, 1946.
Tony was united in marriage to Lorraine Pavlenko on August 11, 1953 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Together they farmed and ranched near Killdeer, and also operated a butcher shop together.
He belonged to the American Legion and served on the Drill Team for many years. He volunteered throughout the community and served as the sexton of Korson Cemetery. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, attending rodeos, playing cards, barbequing, and cooking.
Tony is survived by his wife, Lorraine; their four children, Carol (Warren) Schneider, Manning, Curt (Colleen) Kukla, Golden Valley, Wayne Kukla, Killdeer, and Rockie (Jeanne) Kukla, Barton; grandchildren, Chad (Angie), Schneider, Cory (Lindzee) Schneider, Cody Skurupey, Kash, Kaden and Pace Kukla, and Carolyne Kukla; great-grandchildren, Megan, Matthew, Michael, Mackenzee and Collin; and three brothers, Peter Kukla, Dickinson, Jack Kukla, Killdeer and Paul Kukla, LaMesa, Calif. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Dan, Emil, Mike, John, Willie and Alex; and sisters, Herpina Charchenko, Polly Mosienko, Mary Perkins and Marie Schachenko.
