Otto Kuk, Jr.

KUK, Otto Jr. (Age 91) – Passed away at his home in Spokane, WA with his daughters, Sheila and Marla; and son, Lance by his side. Otto was born the son of Otto and Emma (Weigum) Kuk, Sr. in Odessa, North Dakota. He was baptized January 10, 1933 at Zion Lutheran Church in Stanton, North Dakota. He attended a country school. He loved hunting, fishing, playing pool and being with his family. On May 18, 1944, he enlisted in the Army. While serving in France and Germany during WW II he was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart. Truly ‘one’ of the Greatest Generation. On February 9, 1946, he married his sweetheart, Melida (Ude) in Stanton, North Dakota. After their marriage they lived in Pick City, North Dakota, where he worked on the Garrison Dam. In the mid-fifties they moved to Chewelah, WA, where they raised their four children, eventually moving to Spokane in 1974. It was here they took their first dance lessons together. Hardly a weekend went by when they weren’t doing the polka or waltz at the Deutches Haus or Eagles, even practicing in the living room. Proud of their heritage they developed lifelong friends through the German American Society and their love of dance and music. The Deutches Fest in Odessa was not to be missed by them (oh, that German sausage!). Otto is survived by his granddog and best friend, Willie; daughter, Sheila Kuk (John Emacio) of Chattaroy, WA; son, Lance Kuk of Addy, WA; daughter, Paulette Sackman (Ray) of Spokane, WA; daughter, Marla Kuk of Spokane, WA; grandchildren, Frank Richardson (Katie), Cori Wuesthoff (Mike), Brian Sackman (Janelle), Chris Sackman (Pam), Daryl Kuk (Wendy), Heather Friess (Cory); great grandchildren, Brooke Sackman, Tyler Kuk, Ahron Wuesthoff, Haley Kuk, Colton Friess, Harmony Kuk, Wyatt Friess, Peter Sackman, Jacob Sackman; sister LaRue Wolf of North Highlands, CA; sisters-in-law, Betty Kuk of Bend, OR, Rosie Kuk of Rio Linda, CA, Linda Kuk of Rio Linda, CA, Lorraine Raszler of Bismarck, ND; and numerous nieces and nephews. We will miss you so much, Dad. Love you and Mom with all our hearts. Otto was preceded in death by his wife, of 62 years, Melida; his parents; his son, Lester; brothers, Earl, Gordon, Stanley, Lynn and sisters Frances and Deloras. A visitation will be held on Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at RIPLINGER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, 4305 N. DIVISION, SPOKANE, WA. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, April 21, 2017 at 11:00 am at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 4620 N. Regal St., Spokane, WA. Followed by interment at Chewelah Memorial Park at 2:00 pm.