William M. “Bill” Kuckelman, 76, of Baileyville, KS, died on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.

He was born on May 4, 1934, on a farm northeast of the St. Bridget community north of Axtell, KS, to Herman and Mary A. Carroll Kuckelman. He attended Pleasant Valley country school near St. Bridget and graduated from Sts. Peter & Paul High School in Seneca in 1952. After graduation he helped on the family farm. He entered the U.S. Army in 1956.

On January 10, 1959 he married Kathleen Koch at St. Patrick’s Church in Osage City. In the spring of 1965 the couple purchased a farm southwest of Baileyville, where they raised their family and celebrated 52 years of marriage together. To Bill, farming was more than his chosen profession, it was his passion. He simply took pleasure in farming and raising livestock.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville and served on the church council. He was also a past president of the Baileyville Parent Teachers Organization.

Bill enjoyed being a grandfather and always took time to attend the games and activities of his granddaughters, whom he referred to as “the Hoods.”

He was preceded in death by his father Herman on April 19, 1987; his mother Mary on June 8, 2003; an infant son, James on October 26, 1969; and a sister, Carolyn Mulryan in June of 2010.

He is survived by his wife Kathleen of the home; children, Mike (Connie) Kuckelman of Seneca, Jerry (Linda) Kuckelman of Scott City, Janel (Gary) Kramer of Seneca, and Larry (Amy) Kuckelman of Seneca; a brother, Jody Kuckelman of Axtell; sisters, Sara Kramer of Newton and Alice Hammes of Seneca; 11 granddaughters and one great-granddaughter.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 AM on Tuesday, April 5, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Monday, April 4, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given in Bill’s memory for Nemaha Valley Community Hospital or Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and sent in care of the family.