Annabelle Kukla, 82, Killdeer, ND, died Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at her home in Killdeer. Annabelle’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, January 19, 2008 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Killdeer, with Fr. James Shea as the celebrant. Interment will take place at the Killdeer Cemetery. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday at the church. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. There will be a rosary and vigil at the church on Friday at 7 p.m..
Annabelle Kowis was born December 14, 1925, the daughter of Joseph and Lena (Tabor) Kowis. She was raised and educated in the Grassy Butte, ND area.
Annabelle married Jack Kukla on February 14, 1944 in Wibaux, MT and later renewed their vows at St. Peter Canisius Catholic Church, Grassy Butte. They owned and operated the grocery store in Grassy Butte for several years while also farming 15 miles west of Killdeer. Jack and Annabelle built a home in Killdeer in the early 1980’s but continued to farm until the late 1990’s when a stroke caused Jack to retire. They have made Killdeer their home since.
Annabelle belonged to the Whetstone Homemakers Club and was active in the St. Peter Canisius Altar Society. She was one of the pioneers of the Grassy Butte and Killdeer communities. Annabelle was a devoted, loving wife, mother, homemaker and friend.
Annabelle is survived by her husband, Jack; their two daughters, Cynthia (Duane) Beckert, Jamestown, ND, and Kolleen (fiance ~ Vance Henderson) Kubik, Orlando, Fl; four grandchildren, LeAnn (Kevin) Dykstra, Sally (special friend ~ EJ Rusiski) Beckert, Shayne (Melissa) Beckert and Brian (special friend ~ Andrea Emerson) Beckert; four great-grandchildren, Ryan Dykstra, Kara Dykstra, Andrew Beckert and Connor Beckert; nine siblings, Caroline Dardis, Mary Ellen Sabrosky, Katherine Trotter, Kenneth (Jeannie) Kowis, Walter (Mary) Kowis, Robert (Ilene) Kowis, Stanley Kowis, Donna (Neil) Grevious, and Delores (James) Bice; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Margie Hanson, and great-granddaughter, Melissa Serena Beckert.
