×

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.