Dean R. Kuchta

Dean R. Kuchta, age 71, of Crofton, Nebraska, died peacefully, Monday, December 15, 2014, in his home, with family, after a battle with cancer. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, December 20, 2014 at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Menominee, NE with Rev. James Keiter officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery with Military Graveside Rites by the Wynot American Legion Post #31. Visitations will be 5 to 8 PM, Friday, December 19, 2014 at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Menominee, with a Wake service at 7:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. The Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, is assisting with service details. Dean was born August 25, 1943 to Norbert and Esther (Goeden) Kuchta. He was baptized on September 2, 1943. He graduated from St. Boniface Elementary School in Menominee, Nebraska in 1957. He then graduated from Crofton High School in 1961. He served in the U.S Army from April 1965 through April 1967, when he was honorably discharged. He spent six months in Fort Leonardwood, Missouri for basic training. From there he went on to Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he spent another six months in an artillery unit. His next assignment took him to Hanau, Germany, for a year in the artillery unit. While serving his country, he also had two siblings serving, Delno and Terry. Later, another sibling, Tony, also served. Following the service, Dean spent his entire work life as a skilled marble, terrazzo, and tile floor mechanic, traveling to wherever the work would take him. He retired from work in 2000. He moved to the family farm in 2006. He spent his entire life as a single man, being a father figure to his siblings, nieces, and nephews. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, gardening, and canning. He is survived by his siblings: Dan (Sandy) Kuchta, Omaha, NE., Delno Kuchta, Yankton, SD., Terry (Pam) Kuchta, Sioux Falls, SD., Tim (Judi) Kuchta, Hartington, NE., Tom (LaDonna) Kuchta, Crofton, NE., Marietta (Curt) Boatman, Sioux City, IA., Carlene Barta, Gayville, SD., Tony (Julie) Kuchta, Omaha, NE., Steve Kuchta, Crofton, NE., Julie (Tim) Arens, Crofton, NE., and Brian Kuchta, Wynot, NE. He is also survived by 51 nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, brother in law, Danny Barta Sr., and an infant nephew, Jonathon Kuchta.