Carol E. Kukula

Carol was 98 years young, born November 23, 1915 in Racine, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of the late Sherman Wesley Blandin Sr. and Edna Mary Youngs. She was a resident of Albuquerque since 2006, passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2014. She was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Joseph Kukula; brother Sherman Jr. and sister Helen. She will be greatly missed by her son Steve Mahnke of Gallup, NM; daughter-in-law Carolyn; Grandchildren Sam Mahnke of Albuquerque, NM, Amy Thatcher of Moriarty, NM, Amanda Medoro of West Hartford, Connecticut; Great-grandchildren Austin Thatcher, Savana Thatcher, Kayla Bright-Chavez and Ariella Medoro; and great-great grandchild Cameron Chavez. She will also be missed by family and friends in California and Wisconsin. During her life she enjoyed working at her father's insurance business, owning a Zoysia grass nursery and retired from a successful career in residential real estate in California. Carol loved dancing to polka music, raising critters (kitties, chickens, ducks, pheasants, others), sewing, gardening, cooking, sky/cloud watching and spending time with her many friends and family. Pallbearers will be Sam Mahnke, Stephen Mahnke Sr., Ian Medoro, Mark Thatcher, and Austin Thatcher. A celebration of her life will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Covenant United Methodist Church, 8510 Wyoming Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM with Rev. Lyle Reese officiating. A reception will follow the service. Her final resting place will be at Mound Cemetery Racine, Wisconsin.