Verlane Leon “Barney” Kuchta

Barney Kuchta

CONCORD — Verlane Leon “Barney” Kuchta, 70, Concord, died at his residence Aug. 16, 2024, under Hospice care, surrounded by family. Mass of Christian Burial will be Aug. 24, at 10 a.m., at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Dixon, with the Rev. Jerry Connealy officiating. Burial will be at St. Anne’s Cemetery, Dixon. Pallbearers will be Caleb Handke, Evan Kuchta, Robert Tanderup, Joshua Dzingle, Phil Rohan and Jim McCluskey. Honorary pallbearers will be his granddaughters, Abi Walker, Sierra Handke, and Kaitlin Walker, Chris McCluskey and Brook McCluskey. Visitation will be Friday, at church, from 5-7 p.m., with a vigil service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue Saturday, one hour prior to services.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Laurel. Barney was born March 2, 1954, in Menominee, to Louis and Criscentia (Vornhagen) Kuchta. He was the youngest of seven children. Faith was important to him and he was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic church.

Barney went to school in Wynot. He married Mary Olander June 5,1976, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Newcastle. They had three children, Chad, Jennifer and Jodi. Barney worked at IBP for a few years,worked as a farmhand for over 10 years, then worked for Dixon County as part of the bridge crew and maintainer operator for nearly 30 years.

Barney loved spending time with family. He loved hunting,fishing, playing horseshoes, checkers (which not many could beat him),and cards. His favorite card games included euchre, pitch, canasta and scat (which he taught his grandkids to play).

He is survived by his wife, Mary, of 48 years; children, Chad (Jennifer) Kuchta, Blair; Jennifer (Bob) Walker, Sioux City, Iowa; and Jodi (Matt) Handke, Lawton, Iowa; five grandchildren, Caleb and Sierra Handke, Evan Kuchta; and Abigail and Kaitlin Walker; siblings, Marvin (Pat) Kuchta, St. Paul; Dianne (Tom) McCluskey, Newcastle; and Ardyth (Tim) Rohan, Newcastle; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws (also known as Outlaws).

He was preceded in death by his parents;his sisters, Esther Schwartz and Ellamae Dimmitt; brother, Richard Kuchta; parents-in-law, Lloyd and Darline Olander; brother-in-law, Fuzz Tanderup; sisters-in-law, Carol Olander and Therese Olander.