FROM THE BULLETIN OF THE FUNERAL SERVICE: REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF LOWELL B. KUKLISH
Lowell passed away on Saturday, May 19, 2007, at Manorcare Health Services in Fargo at the age of 76.

Lowell was born on September 1, 1920, the son of Bennie and Inga (Hovey) Kuklish, on the family farm near New Effington, SD. He grew up in this area and received his education in Lien Township and New Effington. Lowell was united in marriage to Betty Knudsen on November 10, 1950. They made their home on the family farm where they farmed and raised their family. Lowell and Betty moved to Fargo in 1988 where they have made their home since. Lowell was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in New Effington and currently a member of Olivet Lutheran Church in Fargo. Lowell and Betty loved spending time traveling, and he was an avid woodworker.

Lowell is survived by his wife, Betty of Fargo; his daughters, Katherine (Richard) Branick of Huntsville, AL; Joy (Jon) Kried of Delano, MN; and Beth (Richard) Lentz of Milbank, SD; 5 granddaughters, Nicole and Cody Krieg; Emily and Kristin Lentz; and Karen Branick. Also surviving are his sister and brother-in-law, Jean (George) Knudsen of New Effington; and his sister-in-law, Helen Jacobson of Denver, CO.

In Lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be directed to Olivet Lutheran Church for Habitat for Humanity -- the National Parkinson’s Foundation Inc. -- or a charity of choice.


FROM A NEW EFFINGTON AREA ANNIVERSARY BOOKLET:

Lowell is the son of Bennie and Inga (Hovey) Kuklish. He was born at New Effington on the farm where he continues to live. Farming has been his sole occupation.

In 1950 he married Betty Lou Knudsen, daughter of George and Gertrude Knudsen. Lowell and Betty Lou both attended grade school in Lien Township and graduated from New Effington High School in 1948.

Betty Lou went to Concordia College at Moorhead, MN, and later graduated from Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen. Besides being a housewife and mother, Betty Lou taught elementary vocal music and gives piano and organ lessons. She is also a church organist and was choir director for some years. Traveling and photography are favorite hobbies of both Betty Lou and Lowell, and Betty Lou enjoys painting and sewing also.

Their family is made up of three daughters: Katherine, Joy and Beth.

Katherine was born in 1951. She went to three years of grade school in Lien #4 and finished in New Effington, graduating from high school in 1969. In 1973 she graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, with a degree in English and music. She is married to Richard Branick. They now live in Phoenis, AZ, where he is employed as a mechanical engineer. Kathy enjoys playing and teaching flute, and sewing is also a favorite hobby.

Joy was born in 1959. She attended grade school in New Effington and graduated from high school in 1977. She then went to NDSSS in Wahpeton, ND, graduating as a legal secretary in 1979. She married Jon Krieg in 1982. They live in Dallas, TX, where he is employed as a civil engineer. She is a legal secretary. Reading and aerobics are favorite hobbies of Joy’s. A daughter, Nicole Ellen, was born to them on March 23, 1987.

Beth was born in 1961. She also went to New Effington grade and high school, graduating in 1979. She then went to the U. of M. at Morris, MN, for one year and graduated from Lutheran Deaconess School of Nursing in Minneapolis, MN, in 1983. She married Richard Lentz in 1982. They now live in Milbank, SD.