Shirley Kuchynka

1928 - 2025

Shirley Kuchynka reluctantly passed away on Monday October 6, 2025, at age 97 1/2. She did not want to leave her children behind, which was a testament to her unconditional love for them.

Shirley was born on Jan 2, 1928, in Valley City, North Dakota to Edna and John Naekel. She joined siblings Charles, Ruth, and Doris and was later joined by another sister Donna and a baby brother Jimmy on the family farm.

At age 16, she met the love of her life, Henry "Hank" Kuchynka, at a family dance. Unbeknownst to both of them at the time, each was a winner in a local professional photo contest. He was a handsome black haired fellow, and she was an auburn beauty. He had actually noticed her photo in the display window earlier and said I'd like to get to know her someday, not knowing that would actually happen. They married later that same year on October 10, 1944. When the judge learned she was 16, he told her to go home and grow up. Fortunately, she ignored this advice, and they enjoyed 73 1/2 years together until Hank passed away in 2018. At age 97, she did mention that she'd like to talk to that judge to let him know just how wrong he was. To this union six children were born.

While Hank served in the Army, Shirley resided on the family farm in ND where they welcomed their first child Larry. When Hank was discharged in 1946, they moved to Miles City and made their permanent home in the house she lived in until a month before her death.

Shirley worked various jobs throughout the years to help support the family, her favorite being a nurses aid at the hospital where she made lifelong friends. In their early years when times were tight, Shirley and Hank somehow managed to welcome any relative needing a home and ensured nobody ever left the table hungry. She was an amazing cook who loved feeding her friends and family whenever she got the chance and apologized frequently in her 90's when she could no longer feed her guests.

Shirley was known for having a green thumb and in partnership with Hank's pristine yard, her beautiful flowers helped them win the Yard of the Week in Miles City multiple times. Her advice on how to create a lovely flower arrangement is to always add yellow flowers. While tending to her flowers, she always enjoyed her visits with longtime neighbors and friends, Clyde and Kathy Leischner.

Shirley loved to play cards. She won many games and was still very sharp, even playing up until a month before she passed away. Her only vice was an occasional swear word when she got a bad hand. Her family, especially her daughters, will greatly miss those Saturdays spent playing cards and enjoying a meal together.

Whether you called her Shirley, Mom, Grandma, Aunt Shirley, or "Red", this family icon leaves a lasting void in our hearts that we will fill with amazing memories of a loving mother, a gentle grandma's touch, an incredible cook and baker, a devoted and caring wife, a witty and wonderful woman.

Shirley was preceded in death by her eldest son Larry Kuchynka, daughter Kathy Pering, parents, brother Charles Naekel, sisters Ruth Whitaker, Doris Johnson, and Donna Beyer, sons-in-law Merrill Pearcy Jr. and Ron Kiosse, and special family friend Jim Cook.

Shirley is survived by children Gary (Jeanne) Kuchynka of Montrose, CO, Sandra Pearcy of Miles City, Rick Kuchynka of Billings, Cindy Kiosse (Pat) of Terry, daughter-in-law Rhea Kuchynka of Helena, son-in-law Scott Perring of Miles City, brother Jim Naekel, sister-in-law Aggie Barrick, 15 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She also left behind a very special friend and angel in disguise, Heather Carter.

We want to thank the wonderful home care givers, Jackie, Chrissy, and Lori, and the wonderful staff at Holy Rosary.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.

Family will receive friends from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025, at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City followed by a graveside service at 4:00 pm at the Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Miles City. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com. Shirley Kuchynka