Robert Lee Pukash

Robert Lee Pukash Robert Lee Pukash, 75, ascended to heaven Monday, Oct. 20, 2003, at his home, surrounded during the last two weeks of his life, by his wife and several beautiful children and many grandchildren. Robert was a handsome hunk of smiles and great humor throughout his life and years of battling pulmonary disease. On Oct. 2, 2003, he was diagnosed with cancer. He asked his loved ones to forget about traditional services and hold his memorial services while he was here to share the memories with his family. The family gathered to share their greatest memories of his love for fishing, boating, water skiing, golfing, camping, traveling, baseball, football and sharing jokes and laughter with them. He shared his love of the Chicago Cubs, Denver Broncos, Boise State Broncos, Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies and Atlanta Braves and asked them all to keep rooting for his Cubbies. Robert was born in 1928 in Greeley, Colo., to William and Anna Pukash. He shared his young years with sisters, Ann [Johnson] of Englewood and Dorothy [Dinkel] of Billings, Mont. Following high school, where he enjoyed basketball, baseball and wrestling, he joined the Navy, spending two years at sea and stationed at Camp Aiea, Hawaii. He returned to Greeley to spend years in the grocery business, later transferring to Cheyenne, Wyo. Robert enjoyed the blessings of two marriages, first to Inza Mae Roberts of Greeley, sharing the births of a son, Michael and daughter, Donna. He and his wife, Inza, enjoyed years of square dancing, bowling, hunting and fishing and raising his family. In 1966, he remarried to Edna Kindsfater of Greeley, blending of yours, mine and ours family with three of Edna's daughters, Valerie, Vonda and Virna, and his children, and together they added the births of son, Victor Kory and daughter, Varlyn. After two years in the insurance industry, he and his wife, Edna, opened Rob-Ed's Pet Center, where they enjoyed grooming and raising dogs, sharing their love of dogs with their children. Robert established the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the National Dog Groomers Association, which he directed through five productive years. Following ten years in Colorado, they sold Rob-Ed's and opened a grooming business as Frenchie's Coiffeur at Hyde Park in Boise, Idaho, where they spent 21 years caring for dogs and children, having the luxury of operating the business from a storefront home which allowed them to be closely in touch with their children while earning a living. Robert leaves behind hearts full of love and fond memories for Michael and Joyce Pukash, Andrea and David Stokes, Katelyn and Alicia Stokes, Mathew Pukash, Harlan "Pete" and Donna Cornick, of Cheyenne, Chris and Leslie Fagenbush, Braden and Braxten Fagenbush, Robert and Heather Cornick, Quinlynn and Dazzlyn Cornick of Glendo, Wyo, G. Robert and Valerie Davis of Augusta, Ga., Kristi Davis of Wilmington, N.C., Michelle Davis of Charlotte, N.C., Kirk and Vonda McGinnis, Kirk Ray McGinnis, Kyle and Tamara Jo Kindall and Braxten Kindall, Brandon McGinnis of Boise, Bradly McGinnis of Fort Collins, Colo., Kevin and Virna McEntee and Brett and Jonathon McEntee of Phoenix, Victor Kory and Michelle Pukash, Kylie and Katie Pukash of Boise, and Jeffrey and Varlyn "Lynn" Roberts, Rook and Madison Roberts of Round Lake Park. His parents and a granddaughter, Autumn Pukash, who died in infancy, preceded him in death. In lieu of flowers, friends who wish may send memorials to Condell Medical Center Hospice, c/o Condell Medical Center, Libertyville, IL. Arrangements were made by Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Grayslake. Friends may visit www.dailyherald.com/obits to express condolences and sign the guest book. For more information, (847)223-8122.