Ardis Kukla

A funeral service for Ardis Kukla, Killdeer, will be at 10:00 am, Wednesday July 6th, 2016 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Killdeer with Pastor Dorothy Williams and Pam Hartman, lay minister officiating. Burial will follow in the Killdeer Cemetery. Visitation for Ardis will be from 4:00pm-7:00pm Tuesday, July 5th, 2016 at St. John’s Lutheran Church with a prayer service being held at 7:00 pmArdis passed away Thursday, June 30th, 2016 at Hill Top Home of Comfort in Killdeer. Ardis Louise Kittilson (Kukla) was born April 1, 1940 in Dickinson, ND to Kenneth and Louise (Kind) Kittilson. She was baptized and confirmed at Normanna Lutheran Church in Dunn Center. She grew up and attended school in Dunn Center and graduated in 1958 as Valedictorian. Ardis received her teaching certificate from Dickinson Teachers College and taught school for one year north of Dunn Center. She married Walter Kukla on September 23rd, 1960 in Dunn Center and to this union three children were born; Dean, Suzanne and Lori. Together they farmed and ranched south east of Killdeer for the next 56 years, where Walter still resides. In 1983 Walt and Ardis hosted a foreign exchange student from Brazil, Mario Esteves, and he became their fourth child. Ardis worked in the Bakery at Jerry’s Super Valu from the early 80’s until 1997 where she baked and decorated everything from buns and donuts to wedding cakes. In 1997 Ardis was in a car accident which confined her to a wheel chair for the remainder of her life. This did not slow her down however, and she continued to care for her family by baking and sewing for them and others and attending her grandkids sporting events. She was an avid Killdeer Cowboy fan and loved to follow professional sports, especially the Twins and the Minnesota Timberwolves. She was active in St. Johns WELCA and Happy Homemakers for 50 years. Ardis enjoyed gardening, reading, bingo and her favorite soap opera “Days of our Lives”. Family meant everything to Ardis and she especially loved and cherished her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ardis always had a smile and a kind word for everyone and was loved by many. Her strong yet gentle spirit allowed her to persevere and shine even in the hardest of times. Ardis is survived by her husband Walter; son Dean (Pam); daughters, Suzanne (Terry) Schwartzenberger and Lori (Neil) Fredericks; seven grandchildren, six great grandchildren; a sister-in-law: Jana Kittilson; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Louise Kittilson; brother Donald Kittilson and granddaughter, Ashley Rose Kukla


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Burial Date: July 6, 2016
Church St. John's Lutheran Church

Funeral Service: Wednesday: St. John’s Lutheran Church, Killdeer, ND