Gladys Kuchenbecker Obituary

Gladys Mae (Hanrahan) Kuchenbecker was born in Philip on February 21, 1926 to Roy and Ada (Ousley) Hanrahan. She was raised on the family homestead on the Milesville flats and was the oldest of five children where she attended the West Fork School. She graduated from Philip High School in 1943, attended Black Hills College and taught rural schools for several years.

On March 2, 1946, she married John D. Kuchenbecker in Rapid City. Together they had four boys: LeRoy (1948), Keith (1948), Mike (1953) and Kevin (1966).

Upon their marriage they ranched for 26 years in western South Dakota. In 1968 they sold the ranch in Haakon County and moved to Philip where she worked several years as a teachers’ aide, four years as Deputy Auditor and 19 years as an insurance agent, retiring in 1988. John and Gladys began to winter in Mission, Texas and spent their summers between Philip, Rapid City and West Whitlock.

Throughout their 10 decades, John and Gladys made lifetime friends wherever they were. Together they spent 27 years enjoying south Texas during the extreme South Dakota winters. The summers were busy with family gatherings, and fishing on the Missouri River at West Whitlock where they enjoyed multi-generations of friends. John and Gladys enjoyed happy hours and playing cards.

Her survivors include one sister, Joanne (Hanrahan) Parsons, one sister-in-law, Phyllis (Elshere) Hanrahan, three sons, Keith (Linda), Mike (Holly) and Kevin (Shana), 11 grandchildren Angi Frederick, Jami Kuchenbecker, Brad (Carrie), Kuchenbecker, Polly (Todd) Unterbrunner, Jana (Chris) Kenzy, Garret Kuchenbecker, Lisa Kuchenbecker, Carmen (Isaac) Almanza, Nici Kuchenbecker, Seth (Mackenzie) Kuchenbecker and Cole Kuchenbecker; 18 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by John her husband of 76 years, their son and daughter-in-law, LeRoy and Gloria Kuchenbecker, her parents, two sisters, Joyce (Hanrahan) Frawley, Ethel (Hanrahan) Evans and one brother Earl “Bud” Hanrahan.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, July 19, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip, with a Christian Funeral Vigil service at 7:00 p.m.

Christian Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 20, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with Fr. Grant Gerlach as celebrant and Deacon Lloyd Frein assisting.

Christian Funeral Committal will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

Service Details

VISITATION
Wednesday, July 19, 2023 - 5-7 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

CHRISTIAN FUNERAL VIGIL
Wednesday, July 19, 2023 - 7:00 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

CHRISTIAN FUNERAL MASS
Thursday, July 20, 2023 - 10:00 a.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

CELEBRANT
Fr. Grant Gerlach
with Deacon Lloyd Frein assisting

MUSIC
Marianne Frein - Pianist
Shelby Hanson - Cantor
“On Eagles Wings” #440
“Amazing Grace” #449 - “Taste and See” #335
“O Loving God” #688 - “Lead Me Lord” #739

USHERS
Garret Kuchenbecker - Cole Kuchenbecker
Seth Kuchenbecker - Brad Kuchenbecker

READER
Rita O’Connell

ALTAR SERVERS
Race O’Connor - Paige O’Connor

PALLBEARERS
Angi Frederick - Jami Kuchenbecker - Polly Unterbrunner
Jana Kenzy - Lisa Kuchenbecker - Carmen Almanza
Nici Kuchenbecker

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Friends of West Whitlock

CHRISTIAN FUNERAL COMMITTAL
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

Guest Book

So sorry for your loss. Gladys was a wonderful sweet lady. Hold the memories.
~ Patricia Groven 709 Main Street PO Box 253 (7/20/2023)

John and Gladys were our neighbors when they lived in their apartment. They were the most wonderful couple, and Pat and I feel honored to have been their friends. What a wonderful life they had.
~ Mary Tlustos Rapid City (7/17/2023)

What a wonderful lady she was. Hold on to all the memories. We are thinking of all you folks during this time.
~ Les & Joann Pearson Philip, SD (7/17/2023)

Johnny and Gladys were the most amazing people to ever bless my life as a young child. Their love, their lives, and the role models they were exceeded far above any others. What a beautiful life they had and all were blessed that had the joy of knowing them! They truly were the best. Thoughts to all the family and friends of this beautiful lady.
~ Kim Petersen Philip, SD (7/17/2023)

Gettysburg SD
~ Fran Aden West Whitlock Resort (7/18/2023)

I worked with Gladys in Philip when she worked the Conservation District. What’s great lady and Sharon and I send our condolences to the family.
~ Rod Baumberger McIntosh SD (7/19/2023)

Flowers

Scotchman Living Center Caregiver Team

Boyd and Kara; Andi, Heath, and Family; Wade, Marcie, and Family; and Kayla, Eric, and Family

Philip Health Services TLC and Board of Directors

Frawley Family

Byron and Peggy; Molly and Family; and Brennan and Family

Tom and Connie Schwan

Family - "Sister" - Joanne

Charlene Ellingson Kane

Travis and Alyssa (Hansen) Spauffacher

Dakota Country Pharmacy

The Hanrahans: Jaeson, Crystal, and Family; Cody, Jamie, and Family; Christal and Family; Carisa and Sig Martin and Family; and Debbie and Harold Delbridge