Barbara Francis Kuklis
June 7, 1942-March 21, 2020
Barbara Francis Kuklis,
77, passed away Saturday,
March 21 at St. Luke’s
Hospital, Crosby after a
brief illness, surrounded
by her loving family.
Barbara was born June
7, 1942 to Michael and
Stella (Tyran) Taczak Sr.
in Niagara Falls, NY. Bar-
bara attended Holy Trini-
ty Catholic School and
graduated from Trott Vo-
cational High School with
a Beautician License. Bar-
bara was the middle child
along with her older sister
Elizabeth Dryden and
baby brother Michael Tac-
zak Jr. as he was fondly
called by her.
She married the love
her life, Walter M. Kuklis
on August 26, 1961 in Ni-
agara Falls, NY where
they made their home
along with their three
children, Karen, Christo-
pher and Eileen. She
taught kindergarten at
Holy Trinity Catholic
School until she became
pregnant with her first
daughter and then worked
at home for many years as
a beautician. She later
worked at the Moose
Lodge in Niagara Falls
where she and Walter
where proud life
members. Barbara was an
avid sports fan working as
a cheerleading coordina-
tor for the Moose Bulls
Tyro Football League. She
also spent much of her
time driving her
daughters to all their
dance classes, music les-
sons, and any and all ac-
tivities they were in-
volved in.
Barbara was the cro-
cheting queen of her fami-
ly. There was never a time
she was not making an af-
ghan for her children,
grandchildren, family and
friends or some random
person who might need
one in the future. Her love
of crocheting and
needlepoint has provided
us with many keepsakes
we will cherish.
Barbara loved her chil-
dren and grandchildren
and spent her time cele-
brating every birthday,
holiday and any occasion
to have a family party or
gathering. Christmas time
was especially her favorite
shopping to her hearts
content to fill her home
with gifts for all. She was
the best shopper we knew
and she sure could throw
a party. There wasn’t a
childhood friend of her
kids that didn’t want to
spend time at her house
due to her fun youthful
nature.
Barbara (G as she was
fondly known to many)
was proud of all the ac-
complishments of her
grandchildren and loved
spending time with them
at school functions and
sporting events being
their biggest fan. There is
no doubt mom was all
about her family.
Barbara and Wally spent
their time between their
children in Virginia and
North Dakota for many
years until making their
home in Columbus, ND in
2013. Upon the passing
of her husband in 2015,
Barbara continued to split
her time between her two
daughter’s homes until
her health declined where
she had to be home cared
and spent the remaining
time in ND. At the time of
her passing she was a
resident of St. Luke’s Sun-
rise Care Center, Crosby
ND for the past two
months.
Barbara is survived by:
daughter, Karen (Scott)
Kihle, Columbus, ND ,
son, Christopher (Cather-
ine) Kuklis, Columbus,
ND and daughter Eileen
Smith, Richmond, VA.,
grandchildren,
Matthew(Megan) Kihle,
Lignite, ND., Thomas
Kuklis, (Kaelee),
Bismarck, ND., Christin
Kuklis, Columbus, ND.,
Joshua Kihle (Taryn),
Columbus, ND, Charles
Smith, Richmond, VA.,
Kayleen Kihle, Columbus,
ND., Brittney Kuklis,
Columbus, ND and Aidan
Smith, Richmond, VA,
great-grandaughter’s, Au-
drey and Trista Kihle, Lig-
nite, ND., brother Michael
(Cheryl) Taczak Jr.,
Gasport, NY., special
cousins, David (Dolly)
Stephans, East Aurora,
NY and William (Anita)
Taczak, Lewiston, NY.,
and many treasured
nieces and nephews.
Barbara was preceded
in death by: her husband
Walter, mother and father,
sister Elizabeth Dryden
and brother-in law George
Dryden, son-in-law
Michael Smith, and
mother-in -law Mary Ciek-
iewicz.
Stakston-Martin Fun-
eral Home, Crosby is as-
sisting family with ar-
rangements and crema-
tion.
Service and family gath-
ering will be held a later
time.