Joseph Thomas Kurkowski of Forsyth left this earth peacefully on Tuesday, January 5 at the age of 94.
He was born on September 26, 1927 at 2:30 am to Matthew and Gladys (Palmer) Kurkowski in rural Rosebud County. After graduating from Forsyth High School at the top of the class in 1946, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army in October 1946. Joe was one of four personal bodyguards guarding General MacArthur and his family during the Occupation of Japan immediately after the war. Joe was a perfect fit for the Honor Guard as the selection criteria stated that “members must have outstanding physique, high moral standards and a perfect service record.” Joe was awarded the WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation – Japan, and Honor Guard for General MacArthur.
When Joe returned from the service in 1948, he took agricultural courses from the GI Bill from home and worked for the City of Forsyth for quite a few years. He then ran the U.S. mail route covering Southern Rosebud County for many years. He enjoyed the route and the many people he met and got to visit with during those years.
In 1973 he purchased a ranch in the Hammond Valley. He continued the mail route while raising cattle and hay on the Hammond Valley place and wheat on the home place on Slaughterhouse Creek with the help of family. In March of 1990 he purchased the 20 Ranch south of Rosebud.
Joe loved guns and managed to collect a few over his lifetime. He especially loved his original Henrys and Sharps and enjoyed shooting competitively at the annual Quigley Shoot. He attended any gun show he could and seemed to enjoy learning and sharing his knowledge more than purchasing a new gun, but he always carried a fat wallet just in case he found that one he couldn’t live without. He thoroughly enjoyed sharing the history of each gun he owned with anyone that showed an interest and had many interested visitors over the years. He was a lifetime member of the Forsyth Gun Club and enjoyed shooting his guns.
Joe remained a bachelor with no children, yet somehow managed to be a second father to many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews. He taught them husbandry and the fine art of farming and fixing machinery with more patience and tenderness than you would ever expect from a man who cringed at the occasional hug he couldn’t avoid.
He ranched and tended his cows until he physically wasn’t able, which remarkably was about six months before his death.
He is survived by Margaret (Peggy) Kurkowski, sister-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews from his sister Dorothy (Warren) Becker and brother George (Peggy) Kurkowski.
He was preceded in death by parents Matthew and Gladys, his sister Dorothy Becker and her husband Warren, and his brother George Kurkowski.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Wednesday January 12, 2022
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth , Montana 59327
Mass of Christian Burial
1:00 PM
Thursday January 13, 2022
Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Rite of Committal
Following the Funeral Service
Thursday January 13, 2022
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, MT 59327
Luncheon
2:30 PM
Thursday January 13, 2022
Stevenson and Son's Funeral Home
245 Westwind Ln
Forsyth, MT 59327
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Wednesday January 12, 2022
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth , Montana 59327
Mass of Christian Burial
1:00 PM
Thursday January 13, 2022
Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Rite of Committal
Following the Funeral Service
Thursday January 13, 2022
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, MT 59327
Luncheon
2:30 PM
Thursday January 13, 2022
Stevenson and Son's Funeral Home
245 Westwind Ln
Forsyth, MT 59327
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George & Janet Becker says
Joe you will be missed by all of your family. And that’s a very large family. Your struggles here are over and now you can enjoy spending time with Ma and Pa, George and Dorothy (Mom). I know God will bless a wonderful man like yourself.
George and Janet
Rita FitzGerald says
Joe has gone on to enjoy talking guns and hunting with George Weipert, Gene Hollowell and Dad, Smitty. Put your hip waders on, the bull sh** will be deep! We are all a little better to have known a genuine gentleman!
Rita and Bill
Ron and Ginny Hathaway says
So sorry for your loss.
Beth Ann Wiedeman says
Tom, Paula and family, so sorry to read this. May your grief find happy memories and celebration for Joe’s life.
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
To all of Joe’s family and friends-
My sincere sympathy to you all and may the memories that you have made together comfort & keep you
Lynelle Tompkins says
Joe was one of the best. A true gentleman. Always a fun story for us at N.A.P.A. one winter he came in and need a tow strap. He had gone off the road into the barrow pit into the snow, and walked a couple on miles to the barn to get the other pickup, get the strap and pull the other truck out of the snow. Lord, I worried cuze it was super cold. I called Cal McConnell and asked him what he thought, he said, he’ll be o.k.. a little later Cal called me back and said Joe was fine, he had just seen him drive through town.
Don and Dee Sams says
Ton, Paula and family, so sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kurt Cadlo says
So very sorry to hear of your loss. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Jeff Faycosh says
Tom, Paula and the whole family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kim Stanton says
Dear Tom Paula and families.
So very sorry to hear your beloved uncle Joe has passed. I know he held such a very special place in everyones’ hearts! Eternal rest grant unto him oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. Our family is thinking of you all today and in the coming days, as you grieve the loss of a loved one, yet celebrate his life.
With sympathy, Kim Stanton and family
Brookes Reierson says
Im gonna miss your priceless stories you would tell when showing me your guns in the gun room. See you on the other side my friend.
Damien Brockel says
Many old, old memories of you and Ma and Pa out at the farm. Rest In Peace, Joe.
Shirley Skinner says
Cousin Joe was many things to many people…. Tom and Paula I know you were particularly close to him and you will miss him so very much. Hugs and condolences!
Carol Gamble says
Tom, Paula and family,
Our thoughts are with you. I always enjoyed visiting with Joe when he would get a permit. Hugs!
Carol and Gene
Jennifer Ferguson Johnson says
I’m so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Andy Mitzkus says
Joe was a good neighbor, we are going to miss him.
Ron and Betsy (Becker) Gehrke says
To all of Joe’s family and friends,
I too, have fond memories of Uncle Joe with Ma and Pa back in the day, as well as our visits when I drove Mom (Dorothy) down to Forsyth to visit her brothers and Peg the last couple years of her life.
Condolences to all who loved Uncle Joe. My family and I will pay our respects the next time we are in Forsyth, as we regret that we are unable to attend this service as we dealing with family health issues. Rest In Peace, Uncle Joe.❤️
Jennie Hilderman says
Tom, Paula, and family-
It was a pleasure getting to know your Uncle. My sympathies and many hugs.
Wayne Hodgson says
Tom, Paula, Jane, and the whole family: I’m very sorry for your loss. May the memories of Joe bring you comfort.
Marcus Belgarde says
sorry for your loss to the family he was a great man to get to know.
Marlene Diane Brown says
I found this memorial while looking for Peggy (Green) Kurkowski, who is my mother’s all time best friend. Mom is Joan Evans Brown. I hope this will help Peggy to find me, as the case may be. I live in Burlington, WA. Joseph sounds like a really wonderful man.