Lawrence Joseph Kuchta
Randolph — Lawrence Joseph Kuchta, 89, Randolph, died Nov. 14, 2020, at Faith Regional Health Services, Norfolk.
A restricted visitation will be 5-7 p.m., with a 7 p.m. Christian Wake Service, all Wednesday, at Saint Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, Randolph, under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home, Randolph. Face masks will be required for entry to church.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Nov. 19, at Saint Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, with Rev. Father Timothy Forget; Deacon Doug Tunink officiating.
Interment will be in St. Frances Cemetery, Randolph.
Pallbearers will be Lawrence’s grandsons, Andy Kuchta, Josh Kuchta, Nick Litel, Travis Arduser, Lucas Troyer, Kody Kuchta, Ross Kuchta and Wade Kuchta.
Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Lawrence was born Aug. 2, 1931, on a farm near Menominee, the son of George and Caroline (Haberer) Kuchta. He attended Tip Top country school and Holy Trinity School, Hartington. Lawrence married Shirley Sauser April 26, 1954, at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, Randolph. They farmed east of Hartington until 1958, and then moved to their current home, where they continued to farm. Lawrence completed his last harvest ten days before his death. They also had a dairy operation for many years. They were blessed with five children, Lavon, Rick, Jim, Vickie and Larry. Lawrence was a member of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic
Lawrence was a member of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, Randolph, and the Knights of Columbus, Madison.
Lawrence loved gardening, auctions, playing pitch, visiting, farming, fish fries and anything with raisins. His greatest joy was his family, however, a close second was playing pranks, telling jokes, and making people laugh.
He had his first double bypass heart surgery in 1983. In the following 37 years, he beat the odds and overcame many heart issues.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Shirley; his children, Lavon Litel, Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; Jim (Janet) Kuchta, Randolph; Vickie (Rick) Troyer, Wisner; and Larry (Vickie) Kuchta, Canby, Minn.;18 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren; brother, Bob Kuchta, Hartington; sisters-in-law, Dee Graff, Lincoln; Lenie (Bob) Wiechelman, Coleridge; Sharon Sherer. Colorado Springs, Colo,; brother-in-law, Bob (Sandie) Sauser, Randolph; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death are his son, Rick, in 2006; great-grandson, Cody Troyer, in 2008; his parents; mother and father-in-law, Nick and Dorothy (Warnish) Sauser; brothers, Jerome (Lucille) Haberer, Clarence; sisters, Inez and Irene (Irvin) Reifenrath.