Ivis Kukowski

Ivis Jeanette Kukowski was born September 15, 1925, in her family home in Beach, ND. She was the daughter of Edward Michael and Florence (Edwards) Enderle. Ivis was the youngest of eight children. From an early age, Ivis exhibited an exuberance for the arts by actively taking part in a school concert at the age of five. Ivis graduated from Beach High School in 1943. She met Lawrence Leo Kukowski through her brother Donnie. Following a courtship that included exchanging homemade cookies for driving lessons, Ivis married Lawrence on June 2, 1943, at St. Peter?s Catholic Church in Wibaux, MT. She and Lawrence spent a year in Omaha, NE, and Boston, MA, until Lawrence was sent to England in 1944 and she returned home to Beach. Lawrence returned to the United States on September 12, 1945. Ivis and Lawrence raised their four children and farmed north of Beach. Ivis was devoted to her faith and dearly loved her family. Ivis and Lawrence emphasized education with each of their children, with Ivis often driving them to Dickinson for various lessons and recitals. They also gave each of their children Catholic higher educations. Ivis was actively involved in the community, having served in numerous capacities, including as President of St. Anne?s Guild, Cantor for St. John?s the Baptist Catholic Church, President of the Women?s Farm Bureau, Founder of SW District Cowbelles and a member of the SW Water Pipelines Project. She formed the Beach Art Association and organized an Investment Club Study Group to promote business and enhance investing. In the 1970s and 1980s she actively recruited doctors for the Golden Valley Hospital. Ivis was an especially creative person who sought to bring civility and culture to the prairie. She had a strong interest in the arts and music and was an avid reader. She began painting in 1964, drawing inspiration from the local landscape as well as family and grandchildren. A prolific artist, her paintings adorn the homes of many family members and friends. Always up for a challenge and committed to life long learning, Ivis began playing the piano in 1985 at the age of 60. One of the more notable manifestations of Ivis? creativity was the design of her home on Zook Avenue in Beach. Ivis planned the house from the ground up making extensive use of the native local stone materials that contained many unique fossil imprints. Ivis was skilled in the culinary arts and regularly opened her kitchen to family, friends, clergy and visitors from near and far. She had a particular interest in making homemade candy, desserts and breads. Ivis died on Saturday, May 29, 2010, at the Wibaux County Nursing Home in Wibaux, MT, with her daughters Pat and Gayle at her side. Survivors include three daughters and a son: Kathleen Kukowski (Dell Gossett), Seattle, WA; Patricia Guerrero, Beach, ND; Gayle (Stephen) Seiler, Broken Arrow, OK; Paul (Catherine) Kukowski, Wyarno, WY; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren: Nathan (Valerie) Seiler and Meredith, Olivia and Milaina, Lafayette, CO; Peter (Jessie) Kukowski and Thomas, Powell, WY; David Guerrero, Phoenix, AZ; Heather (Alex) Donnelly and Elizabeth and Grace, Owasso, OK; Anna Kukowski, Plainview, TX; Bridget (Nathan) Williams and Benjamin Kukowski, Kaycee, WY; Nicholas Guerrero, Dickinson, ND; Matthew Kukowski, Wheatland, WY; and Laura (Jeff) Campbell, Miles City, MT; one sister, Lucille Kowaluski of Portland, OR; two sisters-in-law, Clarice Kukowski of Billings, MT; Maylo Enderle of Weatherford, TX; and John Hagberg of Beach, ND She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Leo Kukowski; her parents, Edward and Florence Enderle; four brothers, Francis, Howard, Donald and Wally; and two sisters, Iona Smith and Cecilia Peterson. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Alzheimer’s Association, P. O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011; Evergreen Hospice Center, 12822 124th Lane NE, Kirkland, WA 98034; and Glendive Hospice, 202 Prospect Drive, Glendive, MT 59330. Ivis? Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a. m. Friday, July 2, 2010, at St. John?s the Baptist Catholic Church in Beach, ND, with Father Russ Kovash celebrating. Inurnment will follow at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery.


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Burial Date: July 2, 2010
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Funeral Mass: Friday, St. John’s the Baptist Catholic Church, Beach, ND