Mary Jean Kuckelman

Mary Jean (Turner) Kuckelman, 94, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2016, in San Antonio, Texas, surrounded by her loving family. Mary was born January 30, 1922, in Monrovia, Kansas, the third child of John Turner and Bessie (Bishop) Turner. She attended a one-room school in Monrovia, Kansas, for eight years, and she graduated from Atchison County Community High School, Effingham, Kansas, in 1939. Mary attended Kansas State Teachers College (now Emporia State University) and taught in country schools in Atchison County for five years. She married Karl Francis Kuckelman on July 4, 1946, at St. Ann Catholic Church, Effingham, Kansas.

Mary and Karl were blessed with seven children. Mary was a dedicated Air Force wife; in 25 years, the family moved 27 times and lived in 11 states as well as in Japan and Germany. She loved to travel and was always ready for Karl’s next military assignment. After Karl retired from the Air Force in San Antonio in 1971, the family moved to Aurora, Colorado. In 2000, Mary and Karl returned to San Antonio and resided at Adante Senior Living. Mary always placed family first, organizing many family vacations, holiday gatherings, and reunions. She valued education and encouraged and supported her children in all of their endeavors. In addition, Mary’s remarkable generosity extended far beyond her family.

Mary was a passionate and knowledgeable genealogical researcher. She was accepted into 24 genealogical societies, including the National Society Magna Charta Dames, the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, and the Sovereign Colonial Society of Americans of Royal Descent. She served as regent of the Colorado chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Among Mary’s greatest accomplishments were the researching and authoring of two genealogy books, one on the ancestry of her own (Turner) family, and the other on the Kuckelman family.

A die-hard sports fan, Mary enjoyed a variety of sports throughout her life − as an athlete, coach, official scorekeeper, and spectator. She played professional softball in St. Joseph, Missouri, and later coached softball for all four daughters. She also assisted Karl with coaching their sons’ teams. She was an avid follower of major league baseball, professional football and hockey, and collegiate football and basketball. Mary’s favorite teams were the Colorado Rockies, Colorado Avalanche, and, most of all, her beloved Denver Broncos.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, John and Bessie Turner, two sisters, Sally Turner and Jane Reichart, one brother, Jack Turner, and one daughter, Lynn Margaret Kuckelman. Mary is survived by her husband of 70 years, Karl Francis Kuckelman, San Antonio, Texas, her six children, Karl Kuckelman, Jr., of Broomfield, Colorado, Cynthia Padron (Danny), of San Antonio, Texas, Stephen Kuckelman of Aurora, Colorado, Kristin Kuckelman (Neal Morris), of Dolores, Colorado, Mark Kuckelman (Pam), of Long Beach, California, and Janet Sweeney (Gary) of San Antonio, Texas, as well as three grandchildren, Andy Padron (Sarah) of Bowling Green, Ohio, Levi Morris of Lakewood, Colorado, Connor Kuckelman of Aurora, Colorado, one great-grandchild, Carrington Padron, one sister, Ann Cargile, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans.

Services will be held at Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, on Wednesday, August 10, 2016, at 9:00 am, followed by burial at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.