Ed Kukla
Edwin A. Kukla, 85, of Houston, TX, died at Silverado Senior Living - Cypresswood on March 10, 2013 where he had been a resident of the memory care facility since July 2012.
Ed was born in Chicago, IL on September 3, 1927, the son of the late Stanley and Victoria Kukla. He married his surviving wife of 58 years, Margaret L. Davis in Chicago, IL on June 5, 1954. They moved to Lafayette, IN in 1987, where they lived for 26 years before Alzheimers made it necessary to move closer to family.
Ed served in the United States Army during World War II. His tour of duty was served in the Philippines.
Surviving are two daughters, Kathy Kramer (Dale) of Houston, TX and Terri Zinchuk (Spencer) of Antigo, WI; five
granddaughters, Amanda Schuett (Andrew) of Wausau, WI; Jessica Luepke (Tom) of Greenfield, WI; Deanna Erxleben (Devin) of Brownwood, TX; Cassie Zinchuk (fiance Chris) of Milwaukee, WI and Samantha Zinchuk of Racine, WI and one grandson, Jeff Kramer (Becca) of McMinnville, OR; and a dear sister Irene Wasniewski, Bartlett, IL. He was the proud great-grandfather of 9 and fond uncle of many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Chester Kukla and Walter Latasiewicz and two sisters, Lottie (Ray) Krystyniak and Helen (Mike) Gregie.
As a grandfather he was creative in keeping in touch and involved. He created birthday tapes with songs and messages of love, he sent contests through the mail for the grandchildren to choose pictures and then win prizes, he made Mad-Libs before there was such a thing, encouraged imagination with rocks that grew and sent cards and pictures of all sorts that were somehow altered to fit the occasion. He loved photography - in the beginning with a dark room set up in the bathroom to where he actually cut and pasted and then photographed so he would have the picture he wanted. He appreciated the ease of digital photography in his later years although he was not able to create in that way.
Ed retired from Sunbeam Corporation in 1983. He enjoyed gardening and when he moved to Lafayette, IN he shared the produce from his abundant garden with many neighbors. He was a neighbor who helped others - getting the trash bins from the home to the corner and returning them after pick-up, shoveling or mowing, and even watching for the school bus while the children waited safe, warm and dry in his garage. Everything that he did was done with a willing heart and without expectation of returned favors.
While residing at Silverado, Ed quickly became a much loved resident. Caregivers and staff enjoyed his sense of humor and his polite, gentlemanly ways.
We will gather with Houston friends on Friday, March 15 to share banana splits, Ed's favorite dessert, ingredients which he always had on hand whenever company visited. A memorial service will be held in Chicago on April 6th. Memorial service at St. John Berchman's with burial at St. Adalbert's Cemetery.
Ed was born in Chicago, IL on September 3, 1927, the son of the late Stanley and Victoria Kukla. He married his surviving wife of 58 years, Margaret L. Davis in Chicago, IL on June 5, 1954. They moved to Lafayette, IN in 1987, where they lived for 26 years before Alzheimers made it necessary to move closer to family.
Ed served in the United States Army during World War II. His tour of duty was served in the Philippines.
Surviving are two daughters, Kathy Kramer (Dale) of Houston, TX and Terri Zinchuk (Spencer) of Antigo, WI; five
granddaughters, Amanda Schuett (Andrew) of Wausau, WI; Jessica Luepke (Tom) of Greenfield, WI; Deanna Erxleben (Devin) of Brownwood, TX; Cassie Zinchuk (fiance Chris) of Milwaukee, WI and Samantha Zinchuk of Racine, WI and one grandson, Jeff Kramer (Becca) of McMinnville, OR; and a dear sister Irene Wasniewski, Bartlett, IL. He was the proud great-grandfather of 9 and fond uncle of many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Chester Kukla and Walter Latasiewicz and two sisters, Lottie (Ray) Krystyniak and Helen (Mike) Gregie.
As a grandfather he was creative in keeping in touch and involved. He created birthday tapes with songs and messages of love, he sent contests through the mail for the grandchildren to choose pictures and then win prizes, he made Mad-Libs before there was such a thing, encouraged imagination with rocks that grew and sent cards and pictures of all sorts that were somehow altered to fit the occasion. He loved photography - in the beginning with a dark room set up in the bathroom to where he actually cut and pasted and then photographed so he would have the picture he wanted. He appreciated the ease of digital photography in his later years although he was not able to create in that way.
Ed retired from Sunbeam Corporation in 1983. He enjoyed gardening and when he moved to Lafayette, IN he shared the produce from his abundant garden with many neighbors. He was a neighbor who helped others - getting the trash bins from the home to the corner and returning them after pick-up, shoveling or mowing, and even watching for the school bus while the children waited safe, warm and dry in his garage. Everything that he did was done with a willing heart and without expectation of returned favors.
While residing at Silverado, Ed quickly became a much loved resident. Caregivers and staff enjoyed his sense of humor and his polite, gentlemanly ways.
We will gather with Houston friends on Friday, March 15 to share banana splits, Ed's favorite dessert, ingredients which he always had on hand whenever company visited. A memorial service will be held in Chicago on April 6th. Memorial service at St. John Berchman's with burial at St. Adalbert's Cemetery.