Donald Kuca, 79, of Dante

Funeral Mass is 10:30 AM, Monday, September 16, 2013 at the Assumption Catholic Church in Dante. Burial is in St. John Catholic Cemetery, rural Wagner with military honors. Visitation is Sunday from 2 to 5 PM at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner. Rosary/Wake services are 7 PM, Sunday at the church in Dante. In lieu of flowers, donations will be directed to the Alzheimer's Association.

Donald Martin Kuca was born February 20, 1934 at Wagner, South Dakota, the son of Raymond James and Caroline (Kostel) Kuca. He died Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall. Don attained the age of 79 years, six months and 22 days.

Don attended grade school at Lone Tree #56. He graduated from Wagner High School in 1952. Don served in the US Army from October of 1956 until he was honorably discharged in July of 1958, after serving as company clerk at Ft. Lewis, WA.

Don was united in marriage to Norma Jean Hall on June 11, 1956. Four children were born to their union. Norma died on January 28, 1987. Don married Elizabeth "Betty" Jane (Lokken) Moser on August 18, 1989.

Don's first love was for God and his church, then his wives, children and grandchildren, then his farm, which he owned after being discharged from the Army. Farming was his life, he never wanted to do anything else.

Failing health caused Don to enter the Lake Andes Health Care Center in June of 2010 and he entered the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall on July 17, 2012.

Don was a lifetime member of the Assumption Church and a member of Assumption CCD Board, Knights of Columbus, FCSLA, Lone Tree #56 School Board, Elks, and the Dante Farmer's Union Board of Directors.

Thankful for having shared his life are his wife Betty Kuca of Dante; sons: Donald R. and wife Melanie Kuca of Lincoln, NE; Mark and wife Jill Kuca of Brandon, SD; daughter Laura and husband Gordon Grimm of Tijeras, NM; step daughter, Robin and husband Lynn Taylor of Yankton; seven grandchildren; four step grandchildren; six great grandchildren; sister, Elaine Cihak of Dante; sister-in-law, Gaylene Kuca of Dante; and several nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his first wife, Norma; son, Terry; parents; twin sister, Doris Kuca; brother, Robert Kuca; brother-in-law, Donald Cihak; and nephew, TIm Cihak.