Official Obituary of
Richard H. Kurkowski
July 15, 1936 ~ July 27, 2017 (age 81) 81 Years Old
Richard Kurkowski Obituary
* Please note the date of Richard's memorial service...
Richard H. Kurkowski, age 81, of Watertown, SD, formerly of Waubay, SD, passed away at his residence on Thursday, July 27, 2017. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 7, 2017, at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown. Fr. Paul Rutten will be the celebrant.
Visitation will be prior to the service on Monday at the chapel.
Burial will be at a later date at St. Mary's Cemetery in Watertown.
Richard was born on July 15, 1936, to Theodore and Rose (Kwasniewski) Kurkowski on the family farm in North Waubay Township, Day County, SD. He was one of 11 children. Richard was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Grenville, SD. He attended country school in North Waubay Township and worked on the family farm beginning at the age of six. Richard also worked part time for various neighboring farmers. During the winters, he worked for Motorola TV in assembly, O'Hare Airport for American Air Lines, Sheet Metal in Chicago, IL, and made hockey sticks in St. Paul, MN. Locally he worked at the Grenville Elevator, did custom corn picking, snow blowing and drove milk truck out of Pierpont, SD, for Joe Frigo.
On July 6, 1968, Richard married Sheryl Fiferlick at Christ the King Catholic Church in Webster, SD. Throughout their married life they farmed east of Grenville, raising their three children: Steven, Sandra and David. Richard's passion was farming, something he was very proud of, along with John Deere equipment and Chrysler/Dodge vehicles.
He enjoyed watching baseball and bowling. He mostly enjoyed spending time with family. Richard looked forward to traveling to many states for bowling tournaments with his daughter and son-in-law, Sandy and Jim. He loved building with his son, Steve, in his construction business in Watertown and was very proud of what they did. Farming at home with his youngest son, David, was something he loved. They both had the love of farming and he was very proud of what he had built up through the years.
Richard is survived by his wife, Sheryl, of Watertown; his children: Steven (Lela) Kurkowski and Sandy (Jim) Ackerman, both of Watertown and David Kurkowski of Waubay; three grandchildren: Autumn (Adam) Verschelde and Austin Kurkowski both of Watertown and Joleigh Kurkowski of Waubay; two brothers, Dennis (Bernie) Kurkowski of Webster and Kenny Kurkowski of Grenville; four sisters: Delores Schwartz of Manteno, IL, Priscilla Raeder of Lake-in-the-Hills, IL, Audrey Martin of Albuquerque, NM, and Armella (Dale) Traner of Normangee, TX; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Rose; one brother, Gene; and three sisters: Lorraine, Diane and Bernice.
When: August 7, 2017 10:00am - 11:00am
Location: Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel
Address: 208 3rd St SW De Smet SD SD 57231
When: August 7, 2017 11:00am
Location: Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel
Address: 208 3rd St SW De Smet SD SD 57231
Richard H. Kurkowski, age 81, of Watertown, SD, formerly of Waubay, SD, passed away at his residence on Thursday, July 27, 2017. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 7, 2017, at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown. Fr. Paul Rutten will be the celebrant.
Visitation will be prior to the service on Monday at the chapel.
Burial will be at a later date at St. Mary's Cemetery in Watertown.
Richard was born on July 15, 1936, to Theodore and Rose (Kwasniewski) Kurkowski on the family farm in North Waubay Township, Day County, SD. He was one of 11 children. Richard was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Grenville, SD. He attended country school in North Waubay Township and worked on the family farm beginning at the age of six. Richard also worked part time for various neighboring farmers. During the winters, he worked for Motorola TV in assembly, O'Hare Airport for American Air Lines, Sheet Metal in Chicago, IL, and made hockey sticks in St. Paul, MN. Locally he worked at the Grenville Elevator, did custom corn picking, snow blowing and drove milk truck out of Pierpont, SD, for Joe Frigo.
On July 6, 1968, Richard married Sheryl Fiferlick at Christ the King Catholic Church in Webster, SD. Throughout their married life they farmed east of Grenville, raising their three children: Steven, Sandra and David. Richard's passion was farming, something he was very proud of, along with John Deere equipment and Chrysler/Dodge vehicles.
He enjoyed watching baseball and bowling. He mostly enjoyed spending time with family. Richard looked forward to traveling to many states for bowling tournaments with his daughter and son-in-law, Sandy and Jim. He loved building with his son, Steve, in his construction business in Watertown and was very proud of what they did. Farming at home with his youngest son, David, was something he loved. They both had the love of farming and he was very proud of what he had built up through the years.
Richard is survived by his wife, Sheryl, of Watertown; his children: Steven (Lela) Kurkowski and Sandy (Jim) Ackerman, both of Watertown and David Kurkowski of Waubay; three grandchildren: Autumn (Adam) Verschelde and Austin Kurkowski both of Watertown and Joleigh Kurkowski of Waubay; two brothers, Dennis (Bernie) Kurkowski of Webster and Kenny Kurkowski of Grenville; four sisters: Delores Schwartz of Manteno, IL, Priscilla Raeder of Lake-in-the-Hills, IL, Audrey Martin of Albuquerque, NM, and Armella (Dale) Traner of Normangee, TX; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Rose; one brother, Gene; and three sisters: Lorraine, Diane and Bernice.
Service Details.
Visitation
When: August 7, 2017 10:00am - 11:00am
Location: Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel
Address: 208 3rd St SW De Smet SD SD 57231
Service
When: August 7, 2017 11:00am
Location: Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel
Address: 208 3rd St SW De Smet SD SD 57231
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Richard Kurkowski
July 15, 1936-July 27, 2017
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