Donna Mary Cuka

CELEBRANT
Fr. Joe Forcelle
CASKETBEARERS
Brian LaPour, Ryan Pokorney,
Richard Huber, James Cuka,
Joey Cap, & John Cap
Donna Mary Cuka was born on August 7, 1948 to Elmer and Agatha (Oberberoekling) LaPour in Wagner, South Dakota. She attended elementary schools in Herrick, Geddes, and Custer, SD. She graduated from Yankton High School in 1966. Donna attended Mount Marty College for two years after high school while working at Sister James Nursing Home.
On June 9, 1973 she was united in marriage to Arthur “Art” Cuka in Yankton, South Dakota. They lived on a farm near Springfield, SD for two years before moving to their current farm near Tyndall, SD. Together with their three sons they raised cattle, hogs, and grain. Later in her life, Donna worked for St. Michael’s Hospital and Bon Homme High School. She retired in 2017 due to her health.
Donna enjoyed crafting, gardening, and canning. Her favorite hobby was her enormous Christmas village collection. She talked about her collection year round and it was the highlight of the family Christmas gathering. Besides being called “Mom” her greatest privilege was being called “Grandma.” They brought her much pride and joy, whether it was attending a basketball game, soccer match, karate, or just on the farm.
Donna will always be remembered for her contagious laugh, sense of humor, and sly smirk. She was one of the most kind-hearted, loving people that graced this Earth. She took life as it came and always found the bright spot in any situation. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Donna went to the Lord on Sunday, April 22, 2018 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota having attained the age of 69 years, 8 months, and 15 days.
Grateful for having shared their lives with Donna are her husband of nearly 45 years, Art Cuka of Tyndall, SD; sons: Patrick (Jennifer) Cuka of Hartford, SD, Michael (Cathy) Cuka of Omaha, NE, and Jason (Leah) Cuka of Sioux Falls, SD; five grandchildren: Caitlyn, Gunnar, Aiden, Sophie, and Vivienn; brothers Robert (Marie) LaPour of Rockford, IL and William (Jean) LaPour of Sun City, AZ; sisters Barbara (Marvin) Plooster of Yankton, SD and Juanita (Larry) Pokorney of Sioux Falls, SD; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, parents-in-law Joseph and Alice Cuka, paternal and maternal grandparents, and two nephews.