Marie Skachenko

Our beloved Mother, Mother-In-Law, Grandmother and Sister, Marie Magdalena Kukla Skachenko passed away peacefully at the Hill Top Home of Comfort Nursing Home of natural causes in Killdeer, North Dakota, on February 14, 2003. She was 90 years old. Mass of Christian Burial for Marie Skachenko will be at St. Joseph?s Catholic Church, Killdeer, North Dakota on Saturday, February 22, 2003 at 10 a. m. with Father Jerry Ruelle, O. S. B. celebrating. Interment will be in the Korsun Greek Orthodox Cemetery. Visitation will be at Price-Murphy Funeral Home on Friday, February 21, 2003 from 9 a. m. ? 2 p. m. , Hill Top Home of Comfort from 3 ? 4 p. m. and at the church beginning at 4:30 p. m. with a vigil service at 7 p. m. Marie Kukla was born September 13, 1912 in Whetstone, 11 miles southwest of Killdeer, where her parents, Prokop and Anastasia (Meluha) Kukla homesteaded. She was one of fourteen children. According to records at St. Joseph?s Church, Marie was baptized Marie Magdalena Kukla in 1912 as an infant in Fayette at the Holy Rosary Church later known as St. Edwards Catholic Church. Marie?s father Prokop Kukla was in the hierarchy of the Orthodox Church, as a director of the board, choir director and was able to converse in English. The church was known as the St. Pokrova of the Holy Virgin and later became known as St. Mary?s. Strict religious traditions prevailed as a natural way of life for the entire family as they gathered for bible readings and adherence to holiday traditions. Marie attended Badlands Country School #3 where at one time there were thirty-nine students in a one room school. She attended Killdeer High School for one year and transferred to Dickinson Normal High School an affiliate of Dickinson State University. In 1932, Marie married Frank Skachenko in the Orthodox Church. Following their marriage they purchased a farm/ranch 7 miles northwest of Killdeer. They lived there until 1972 when they moved to Killdeer. Marie was a caring mother and a dedicated wife always putting others first. She will always be remembered for her love of life, commitment to hard work and love of music and dance. Besides being a fantastic cook, homemaker and gardener, she was an avid reader and crocheter. Marie love her animals and faithfully milked 25 cows morning and night. Over the years Marie?s family, friends and community have benefited from her artfully crocheted articles leaving a legacy and cherished memories that will remain with her loved ones forever. The love of her life was her family, especially all of her grandchildren of whom she was extremely proud. She was generous kind and compassionate. She had the grace of a queen. Marie will always be in our hearts and sadly missed by her surviving family and friends. The family would like to express sincere gratitude to Katie Kukla and Ruth Fettig for their companionship following the death of her husband Frank in 1978. Also for the exceptional care the staff of the Hill Top Home of Comfort gave to our precious mother. She is survived by: her three children, Jo Ann (Ray) Braun, Redmond, OR, Shirley (Bob) Baumberger, Rapid City, SD, Arnie (Ruth) Skachenko, Killdeer, ND; ten grandchildren, Dennis, Lynn, Cleon, Allan, Doug, Kim, Kathy, Kevin, Brad and Brandi; three step grandchildren, James, Lisa, Mike and twenty great grandchildren; five brothers, Emil, Jack, Tony, Pete and Paul. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; three sisters, Harpena, Polly and Mary and five brothers, Dan, Willie, Mike, John and Alex. Marie?s parents passed away exactly five years apart at the age of 87, Prokop died on January 13, 1962 and Anastasia died on January 13, 1967, their funerals were also held on the same date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hill Top Home of Comfort in Killdeer or St. Joseph?s Catholic Church in Killdeer.


Burial Date: February 22, 2003
Funeral Home Killdeer, ND

Funeral Mass: Saturday, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Killdee