At sunrise on December 16, 2013, Irene G. Cuka, 80, of Rapid City, left this earth to join her heavenly family. She was born to the family of Edward and Rose (Swatek) Kostel on their family farm south of Wagner, SD, on August 8, 1933. She graduated from 8th grade at St. Wenceslaus Catholic School in Tabor, SD and Wagner High School in 1951. Irene married William H. Cuka on September 19, 1951, in the Assumption Catholic Church in Dante, SD. Together they farmed south of Wagner. To this marriage were born Richard (Marcia) Cuka, of Rapid City, SD; Theresa (William) Snyder, of N. Charleston, SC; Carol (William) Wallace; Deborah Chancellor, of Woodlawn, TN; Lawrence (Sylvia) Cuka, of Rapid City and Nancy Woodson. Her grandchildren are Lori Luciano, Sarah Crook, Kevin Cuka Trisha Cuka, Cory Wallace, Matthew Wallace, Eric Andersen and Drew Andersen, and David and Chris Snyder. Irene also has 13 great-grandchildren. After having sold their family farm in 1969, Bill and Irene resided in Yankton, SD. Then in 1976 they fulfilled a life-long wish and moved to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Irene was a devoted member of Saint Thérse Church and Saint Anthony's Circle. She will be remembered for her baking and sewing talents. Only one thing gave her more joy and that was sharing her goods with others. Irene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband William in January of 2012, her daughters Carol and Nancy and her grandson Matthew. Her family extends their deepest appreciation to Dr. Steven Stocks and Sylvia Cuka for 35 years of loving care, and to the Hospice House for making her final days with her family full of dignity and respect. Visitation will be on Friday, Dec. 20, from 5:00-7:00 pm, with a Christian wake service and rosary recitation at 7:00 p.m. at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Christian Funeral Mass will be offered at 10:00 am on Saturday, Dec. 21, at the Church of Saint Thérse, the Little Flower, 532 Adams Street, with the Rev. William Zandri as the celebrant. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery with lunch provided afterwards back at the church. The family request memorial contributions to Rapid City Regional Hospital Auxiliary Hospice House, 224 Elk St., Rapid City, SD 57701.