Obituary of Howard Kussman

Howard Kussman, 93, went to be with the Lord on January 16, 2016 at the Viborg Pioneer Memorial Hospital, Viborg, SD. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Wednesday January 20, 2016 at the 1st United Methodist Church, Yankton, SD with Rev. Ron Johnson officiating. Burial of his cremated remains will be 10:00 AM, Thursday, January 21, 2016 at the Yankton Cemetery, Yankton, SD with Military graveside rites by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791 Honor Guard and the SDARNGHG, Sioux Falls. Visitations will be 5 to 7 PM, Tuesday, January 20, 2016 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, SD and then one hour prior to the service at the church. Howard was born June 11, 1922 in Highmore, South Dakota to Paul and Gertrude (Sampson) Kussman. He graduated high school at Adrian, MN in 1942 and then joined the Army Air Force and served in the 46th Air Service. He served in the Asian Pacific during World War II and was discharged from service in 1945. He was recently awarded for being a 60 Year member of the American Legion. Howard married Marion Louise (Roy) on June 1, 1952 in Jeffers, MN. They spent the early part of their marriage in California and then moved to Yankton, SD where he took over the business from his brother, Bob, at Capital Upholstery in downtown Yankton. He eventually moved the business to West 8th Street where he continued to do upholstery. Many people remember stopping into the Upholstery shop as a child to buy pop and candy after school. Howard and Marion had 4 children. Following Marion's death in 1991, Howard married Arlene Cuklanz of Estherville, IA on July 31, 1994 in Terrill, IA. They lived in Estherville until they relocated to Granite Falls, MN in 2010. Arlene died on October 19, 2013. Howard continued to live in Granite Falls until the spring of 2014 when he was moved to the Centerville Care and Rehab in Centerville, SD. With his infectious smile and his warm sense of humor, he gained the love and affection of all those around him, including one very dear lady, Alice Peterson. Alice soon became very special to Howard and the pair were later voted Centerville Care and Rehab's Valentine's day King and Queen. He was a dedicated and loving husband and father. He was an active member of First United Methodist Church and enjoyed League Bowling and Horseshoes. In his early years Howard was an avid softball player and a very good pitcher. He had a reputation for a wicked fastball that he still maintained into his 40's. Howard is survived by his 2 sons, Rick (Debra) Kussman of Scottsdale, AZ and Jeff (Jennifer) Kussman of Oklahoma City, OK; 2 daughters, Brenda Pladson of Adelaide Australia and Stacey (Lonnie) Kirschenman of Irene SD; 2 step sons, Larry (Nancy) Cuklanz of Granite Falls, MN and Rick (Cindy) Cuklanz of Leonardtown, Maryland ; 1 step daughter, Colleen Skuya (Rick) of Sioux City, IA; 1 step son-in-law, Dick Taylor of Milford, IA; 27 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; 1 sister, Rozella Tollakson; 1 brother, Ed (Bev) Kussman; 1 sister-in-law, Alta Kussman. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marion (Roy) Kussman; his second wife, Arlene (Cuklanz) Kussman and her daughter, Carol (Cuklanz) Taylor; 3 brothers, Milton Kussman and wife Helen; George Kussman and wife Emaline; Robert Kussman; 1 sister Helen Victor and husband Art; 2 brother-in-laws Larry Bylander and Everett Tollakson.