Gladys Kuchenbecker
Gladys Kuchenbecker, age 97, of Philip, formerly of Rapid City, South Dakota, died on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at the Scotchman Living Center in Philip.
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.
Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.
