Funeral services will take place on Friday, June 12, 2020 at 10:30 AM (Mountain).
Saint Therese Catholic Church
Rapid City, South Dakota
of Rapid City, South Dakota, died on Friday, January 3, 2020 at the Good Samaritan Center in New Underwood at the age of 96
Margaret “Peggy” Jane (Keown) Kuharski of Rapid City passed away peacefully on January 3, 2020. Peggy spread love and kindness everywhere she touched, and will be sorely missed by friends, neighbors and especially by her immediate family.
Peggy was born in Rapid City, South Dakota on January 14, 1923. She graduated from Loretta Heights High School in Denver, Colorado and the University of Oregon with a degree in Microbiology. Peggy was also an accomplished musician. She played the cello, violin, piano and organ. She was often requested to play for school and church functions and did so gladly. Peggy and Robert (Bob) Kuharski were married on July 8, 1950 and they were each other’s soul mates and weathered many storms together.
Peggy worked in Colorado Springs, Colorado health department laboratories as well as the Pennington County Health Department lab. She is credited with co-writing a scientific paper in 1946 titled “Saccharose-fermenting Diphtheria Bacilli with Ms. Evelyn Mauss, Division of Laboratories, State Board of Health.” In addition to her professional career, Peggy and Bob ventured into raising/training greyhounds, dairy farming and were owner/operators of “ Lake Haven” a restaurant near the Pactola reservoir. Peggy was head cook and bottle washer and was admired by the local lumber jacks, bikers and regulars for her cuisine and her ever present smile and giving nature.
Peggy is survived by her children; Karen (Teddy) Hustead, Curren (Nancy) Kuharski, Kathy Kuharski, Donald Kuharski, Pat (Robbie) Kuharski, Cheryl (Brian) Fenske, Mitch (Ann) Kuharski, David (Maria) Kuharski, Mary (Bobby) Brogdon. Peggy had 20 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
As with all children who adore their parent, we thought Peggy was enchanted and would never pass. She will forever be remembered for her love of God, her patience with her children, and her love of animals, but first and foremost her humility. She was our friend, our Mother our Queen.
Cards and condolences may be sent to Karen Hustead, P.O. Box 134, Wall, SD 57790.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Rapid City Humane Society in memory of Peggy Kuharski.
Private family interment will be held at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Rapid City, and a celebration of life service will be held at a later date.
Private family interment will be held at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Rapid City, and a celebration of life service will be held at a later date.