Edmund P. Kujawa, better known as Ed, was born April 17, 1918, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the son of Vincent and Mary (Gapinski) Kujawa. He grew up in St. Cloud and graduated from St. Cloud High School. He then attended business college for one year. As a young man he worked in the granite quarry in St. Cloud. Ed served in the United States Navy during WWII, receiving his honorable discharge in December 1945. He then worked for J.F. Anderson Lumber Company in St. Cloud. He was transferred to the J.F. Anderson Lumber Company in Murdo, prior to being transferred to Kadoka.
Ed was united in marriage to Pauline "Polly" Heid on November 24, 1949 in Luxemburg, Minnesota. They made their home in Kadoka all their married life. He continued to work for J.F. Anderson Lumber Company until they purchased the business in 1961. They renamed the business to Kadoka Lumber and Supply Company. They operated this until 1991 when they sold the business to their son Jim and his wife Arlene.
After retiring they continued to make their home in Kadoka, where he has since resided.
Ed was a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, the American Legion Post #27, and the Kadoka Community Betterment Association, all of Kadoka.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Polly of Kadoka; six children Joanne Berheim and her husband Tom of Forbes, North Dakota, Jim Kujawa and his wife Arlene of Kadoka, Ken Kujawa of Moberly, Missouri, Karen Kujawa and her husband Jack Henderson of Denver, Colorado, Rita Endres and her husband Scott of Maple Grove, Minnesota, and Rhonda Schultz of Gilbert, Arizona; twelve grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; his twin brother Edward Kujawa of St. Cloud, Minnesota; three other brothers George Kujawa and his wife Dottie of Oak Brook, Illinois, Frank Kujawa and his wife Anne Marie of Sanborn, Minnesota, and Jim Kujawa and his wife Mary of Crookston, Minnesota; a sister Retta Venables of Winter Park, Florida; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers Ben, Al and Father Rich Kujawa; and two sisters Genevieve Schmid and Irene Theis.
Visitation was held 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 12, with a vigil service at 7:30 p.m., all at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka.
Mass of Christian Burial was held 1:00 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka, with Father Brian Sorenson as celebrant.
Interment was in the Kadoka Cemetery.
A memorial is established.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Thursday, April 13, 2006 1:00 p.m.
Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church
Kadoka, South Dakota
CELEBRANT
Father Brian Sorenson
MUSIC
Jo Anne Stilwell – Organist
Ed’s Granddaughters – Vocalists
Colette Jones – Stephanie Beynon
Trista Hedderman – Chelsea Kujawa
Britni Rhinehart – Abby Endres
Jodi Leeper – Trina Thorn
"Amazing Grace"
READERS
Jeremy Kujawa – Matt Berheim
GIFT BEARERS
Chase Endres – Nick Rhinehart
PALLBEARERS
Ed’s Grandsons-In-Law
Travis Thorn – Chad Hedderman
Coy Sasse – Scott Jones
Chad Beynon – B.J. Leeper
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT WITH MILITARY HONORS
BY THE AMERICAN LEGION POST #27
Kadoka Cemetery
Kadoka, South Dakota
Guest Book
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
~ Rich Schultz
1257 Eudora St., Denver, CO 80220 (4/10/2006)
I will always remember "Uncle Em" as a gentle soul and a soft-spoken man, much like his twin brother, "Uncle Ed", in this respect.
I am reminded at this time of how your family would sometimes stop in Sanborn when you would make the journey to visit Grandma in St. Cloud. I recall one time in particular when Rita (or was it Rhonda?), just little girls at the time, accidentally dropped some chewing gum into our hamster cage, sticking them together! I also recall quite vividly how Jim and Kenny first taught Matt and me to throw a curve ball. We were both amazed (and a little scared) at how hard they could throw a baseball!
Our loving thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of sadness. May God bless you and your entire family.
~ John, Louisa, Katie & Matthew Kujawa
119 Hannah Street, Mankato, MN 56001 (4/10/2006)
Sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers
~ Ellie (Brown) Bettelyoun
Kadoka, SD (4/10/2006)
We are thinking of all of you, and our prayers are with you. Justin and I remember well the many hours Ed and Vern devoted to helping us build our house. We have always appreciated their knowledge (and patience!) Blessings and greetings to all the family.
~ Justin and Joyce Wheeler
24208 Fairview Road, Philip, SD (4/10/2006)
To Polly and family. I am sorry that Ed passed away. I do remember the time he was ringing the bells before church. Also, the times I would come home to visit with my parents he was always there in church. I want to send my condolences to you and your family, and you will be in my prayers. God bless you, and take care.
~ Kathleen (McRae) Nelson
513 Elm Ave. Unit #102, Brookings, SD 57006-3460 (4/10/2006)
We are sorry for the loss of your loved one. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. If you need anything, please call us. We are there for you.
~ The Shuck Family: Colby, Teresa, Racheal, Rebecca, and Ryan
Kadoka, SD (4/10/2006)
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I will always remember Ed as a very kind and devout Catholic man.
~ Rich McRae
Centennial, CO (4/10/2006)
A Note To Polly & Family...
As a young boy, we moved from our ranch in the Badlands to the big town of Kadoka where Dad built the Wagon Wheel. One of my first memories was going to Ed's Lumberyard with Dad & Vern Slater who was helping Dad build. I loved the smell of fresh cut wood, and while they discussed lumber, I inspected the huge piles of fresh cut sawdust, stacked end cuts from the 2x4s, and studied the myriad of nails in barrels. I recall Ed was a gentle, soft spoken man who always mixed friendly conversation with his business... and I admired his confidence & knowledge about building materials. Ed will live on in perpetuity in Kadoka since most all the structures in that railroad town were built with some of Ed's lumber & nails. Our Good Lord surely has plenty of new projects or remodel jobs lined up, and He has now called Ed home to help.
God Bless
~ Mike Barber
Tampa, FL (4/10/2006)
Polly, Rhonda, Karen, and Rita, and all others,
We are thinking of you at this time. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. GOD BLESS John & Terry Pudenz
~ Terry (Kruse) Pudenz
Carroll, IA (4/10/2006)
You are in our thoughts and prayers at this time of your loss. He will be missed. Our deepest sympathy.
~ Ron and Thesa Ireland
Kadoka, SD (4/10/2006)
Ed was a wonderful man. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all. God Bless.
~ Bob, Colleen, and Family
White River, SD (4/10/2006)
Rhonda & family,
I am sorry for the loss of your dad. I know it will be hard road ahead. He was a very dedicated sports fan to KHS teams. He will be missed. My prayers are with you, and your family. Take care and hope to see you soon.
~ DeAnn Bearheels
Rapid City, SD (4/10/2006)
Polly and family, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Deepest sympathy.
~ Joe and Betty Lou Stratton
Kadoka, SD (4/10/2006)
So sorry to hear of your loss. Ed was such a likable man. I remember all the days that he would come in for coffee at the Sundries. Day in and day out he would be down. Ed will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
~ Janelle Madsen Popwell
Wellington, TX (4/10/2006)
Polly, Rhonda and the rest of Ed's family. I'm very sorry to learn of Ed's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
~ Keith Thomas
Denver, Colorado (4/10/2006)
Polly and family, Bruce and I can not begin to know the depth of you loss. In the days ahead may you find peace in the wonderful memories of Ed. Our prayers are with you and your family at this time.
~ Bruce and Virginia Conlee
10301 Romel Dr., Black Hawk, SD (4/10/2006)