Vivian Kukowski

Funeral Service for Vivian Kukowski, 95, of Dickinson, will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 29, 2020 at the Living Word Lutheran Church in Dickinson with Pastor Scott Skones officiating. Burial will follow in the Dickinson Cemetery. The service will be live-streamed on the Living Word Lutheran website at www.livingwf.org, Social distancing will be required masks are encouraged.

Visitation for Vivian will be Friday, August 28 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Stevenson Funeral Home in Dickinson

Vivian passed away Sunday, August 23, 2020 at St. Luke’s Home.

She was born July 5, 1925 in Taconite, MN to Claude and Helen (Fox) Winkleblack, the oldest of seven. On June 7, 1947, she married George Kenjalo and was later blessed with 8 children, 17 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandson.

George passed away in 1974 and Vivian later married Rollie Gift in 1977. At 81, she married Edmund Kukowski.

Mom worked at Badlands Human Services as a job placement coordinator for individuals with challenges. When we celebrated her retirement at age 70, we were touched by the impact she’d had on so many.

Vivian never met a stranger and made everyone around her feel cared for. She never left home without her favorite Black Hills gold jewelry, manicured nails (usually red), and hair and makeup just-so. She enjoyed all kinds of music, was a show-stopper on the dance floor, and brought joy to any room.

This “social butterfly” found her wings and has finally made it home. We will always love and miss you, Mom.

Vivian is survived by her sister, Gerry Kenjalo; Vivian’s children, Trish Gasow (Ralph), San Tan Valley, AZ, Georgi Burwick (Dwight), Dickinson, Loren Kenjalo (Bethany), Farmersville, TX, Claudia Dullum (Dave), Dickinson, and Lorelei Helm (William), Princeton, TX; daughter-in-law, Irene Kenjalo, Detroit Lakes, MN; grandchildren, David Kenjalo (Sara), Ralph Gasow Jr. (Lori), Scott Gasow (Monica), Tamara Kemper (Mike), Tricia Fore (Matt), Jennifer Maixner (Pat), Ryan Kenjalo (Carissa), Paige Goldade (Jared), Jahne Cluff (Brandon), Jesse Helm, Kaitlyn Scott (Wayne), Tiffany Guzman (Gino), Shelly Kenjalo, Lisa Dullum, and Misty Hill; great-grandchildren; and more friends than we could ever count. We are grateful for the loving care she received from the staff at St. Luke’s home.

She was preceded in death by parents, Claude and Helen Winkleblack; husbands, George Kenjalo, Rollie Gift, and Edmund Kukowski; siblings, Joyce Gallager, Dolores Laasko, Genie Jackson, Bob Winkleblack, and Eugene Winkleblack; three sons, Edward Kenjalo, Rade Kenjalo, and Mickey Kenjalo; two grandchildren, Jeremy Burwick and Deanne Kenjalo; and two great grandchildren, Robin Price and Kevan Brown.

Memorials can be sent to Living Word Lutheran Church, 1645 14th St W. Dickinson, ND 58601