Pete Kuchenski

Funeral Mass for Peter Albert Kuchenski, 87, of Dickinson, ND will be 9:00 am, Friday October 9, 2009 at St. Patrick?s Catholic Church with Father Todd Kreitinger celebrating. Military honors will take place following the service on Friday and will be provided by the Dickinson Honors Team. Burial will be in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery at 3:00 pm CST on Friday. Visitation will be from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson continues on Thursday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm with a Vigil Service being held at 7:00 pm at Stevenson Funeral Home. Pete passed away Saturday, October 3, 2009 at the St. Joseph Hospital and Health Center in Dickinson. Peter Albert Kuchenski was born on October 27, 1921, north of Dickinson on a farm to Michael and Mary (Jeromchek) Kuchenski. He lived there with his parents and helped on the farm until he was 18 years old. Pete joined the Navy in 1945 and was stationed in Adak, Alaska for several years. He had a medical discharge from the Navy. Pete was part of the first carpenter crew to build the Garrison Dam. He and his co-workers slept on the ground the first few nights until they could build a shed to sleep in. Pete and his sweetheart, Lorraine (Friesz) were married in 1949 and went to Seattle for four months. Upon returning to Dickinson, he built a motel and seven homes. Pete also was the inspector at the Radar Base with the Corps of Engineers until the project was completed. He owned and operated the Spur Bar for twenty years, building on an addition to the front, remodeling the inside with a horseshoe bar and dance hall. Pete also owned the Dickinson Car Wash for several years. Pete and Lorraine built the Family Steak and Cake and operated that restaurant for six years before selling it to the China Doll. Peter and Lorraine moved to Rogers, AR, where they owned and operated a Sony and RCA TV store. In 1987 Pete began working again with the Corps of Engineers at the Ballard Lockes in Seattle. He worked there four years before retiring. Pete and his wife moved to Spokane for two years before moving back to Dickinson in 1992. Pete and Lorraine built the home they now live in at 25 Kuchenski Dr. in 1965He was a member of the American Legion, Eagles, St. Anthony?s Club, St. Patrick?s Catholic Church and also was a commander of American Veterans for 12 years. Pete loved woodworking, making crafts, building, playing cards, traveling and visiting with his children and grandchildren. Pete is survived by his wife, Lorraine, Dickinson, ND; son, Peter (Susan) Kuchenski Jr. , Magnolia, TX; daughters, Debbie (Lynn) Kern, Bonney Lake, WA, Jackie Gund, Olympia, WA, Delraine (Ken) Ferguson, Cypress, TX and Jill Kuchenski, Greeley, CO; 14 grandchildren; five great grandchildren; brothers, Mike Kuchenski Jr. , Dickinson, ND, George Kuchenski, Dickinson, ND, Edwin (Peggy) Kuchenski, Dickinson, ND, Robert (Linda) Kuchenski, Spokane, WA, Victor (Betty) Kuchenski, Portland, OR; sisters, Emma Boehm, Spokane, WA, Ellie Best, Spokane, WA. He is preceded in death by both parents; step mother, and a sister, Ann Frankowski. Memorials may be given to the Badlands Ministry or a charity of your choice.


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Burial Date: October 9, 2009
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Funeral Mass: Friday, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Dickinson, ND