Karla Red Thunder

Karla Elizabeth Red Thunder-Ahlstrand passed August 6, 2025, 20 days before her 68th Birthday, with her faithful dog Honey Bun by her side.

Karla was born August 26, 1957 in Poplar to Angeline Ione and Seth Red Thunder. She was the youngest of 11 brothers and sisters. She spent her younger years on the family farm west of Poplar, known as Chelsea. She went to school in Poplar. She later married Ken Kostuch and moved to Minnesota. To this marriage she had 3 sons that she loved dearly, Joshua, Nathan, and Mathew Kostuch. She later divorced and moved back to Poplar. She also was married to Mr. Ahlstrand whom she divorced.

Karla worked at the school for a short time, and loved the kids, and met some life long friends during this time.

I, her niece Sheryl am writing her obituary upon her request. We were like sisters as we grew up together and I helped her these past years as her health started to fail. We called each other at least 5 times a day my calls to check on her, and her calls to just visit. We were just talking about how we use to play dolls in uncle Moses bunk house and bathe the dolls in his wash basin. He would come home from work and throw us out and we had a good laugh.

Karla loved to watch old western shows and cooking shows. Every time I went to her house, she had an old John Wayne movie/show on. Those are my memories of her that I will forever remember.

Karla is survived by her three sons Joshua, Nathan and Matthew Kostuck and their families. Sisters, Mary Ann Richardson, Olivia Buckles, Delores Kirn and their families. Her Red Thunder cousins, many nieces and nephews and grandchildren. We can’t forget to mention her sparing partner/care giver Brian Erickson. They meant the world to each other but you sure could not tell by the way they argued.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents Laura Grey Bear-Iron Ring and Andrew Red Thunder, Margaret Escarcega La Plante and Charles La Plante. Parents Angeline Ione and Seth Red Thunder. Brothers James, Paul, John, Darrell, Calvin. Sisters Margaret Red Thunder and Florine Williams.