W. A. Kuhry, 94, died Sunday morning, July 13, 2008, at Northern Montana Care Center in Havre.
Rosary prayers will be at 7 p.m., Friday, July 18, at St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Havre. A memorial mass will be 11 a.m. Saturday, July 19, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Chester. Burial of ashes will follow at the Chester Cemetery. Cremation and arrangements are by Rockman Funeral Chapel of Chester. Wilfred Anthony Kuhry was born October 16, 1913, in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. He was the eldest of five children born to Elizabeth Helen (Zettel) and Peter Miller Kuhry. Wilfred came to Montana as a child, first to Great Falls in 1915 and then to Chester in 1917. He grew up and received his formal education in Chester, graduating from Chester High School in 1931. He continued his schooling at St. Jerome’s College in Berlin, Ontario, until 1933, then returned to Montana. In the years that followed, Wilfred worked as a cowboy in northern Liberty County. Initially, he rounded up wild horses for the state, then began working on the Prescott Ranch near the Sweetgrass Hills. In those early years he earned two endearing nicknames: Will and Pete. He was inducted into the U. S. Army in 1941. Will served in several campaigns during World War II, including Naples- Foggia, Casablanca, Africa, Anzio, Rome-Arno, southern France, Rhineland, and central Europe. He attained the rank of corporal and was active in company A of the 756th tank battalion. Following his honorable discharge in 1945, Will returned to Montana. He began working for Great Northern Railroad, then later for Burlington-Northern Santa Fe Railroad. Will worked as a signal maintainer in East Glacier, Whitefish, Poplar, and Havre. In 1966 he moved to Havre, where he retired in 1977 after spending 32 years on the railroad. Will was a confirmed bachelor until age 70, when he met a Havre widow, Ann (Matovich) Lambert. They were married in Las Vegas on Pearl Harbor Day, Dec. 7, 1983. They lived in their Havre home until 1998, then moved to the Parkview Apartments. Will and Ann loved to dance. They enjoyed square-dancing and the old style dances, and seldom missed an opportunity to kick up their heels. Will also enjoyed his daily three- to fivemile walks around Havre, which probably contributed to his good health and longevity. He remained relatively active until two months ago, when he was hospitalized. He transferred to the Northern Montana Care Center on June 2. Will was active at the North Central Senior Center, where he enjoyed playing pool. His memberships included St. Jude’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Havre Eagles Club, and the Havre V.F.W. Post. He was a long-time union member of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen. Will loved the great outdoors and was well-educated on the care of trees, plants and foliage. He was described as a man of action who enjoyed utilizing his skills as a talented handyman and mechanic. In his younger years he liked to fish. Throughout his life he loved classical music, reading, and his sweet tooth for chocolate. Will was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Florian Kuhry; and his three sisters, Helen Ann Aaberg, Marjorie Freemole, and Mary Pace O’Connor. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Ann Kuhry of Havre; one step-daughter, Linda Lambert of New Orleans, La.; two grandchildren, Delano and Maddeson Clare; great-grandson, Daniel Garcia; six nephews, Maynard Freemole of Corvallis, Ore., John Freemole of Polson, Mike Freemole of Missoula, Dan Pace of Great Falls, Phil Aaberg of Chester, and Steve Aaberg of Billings; and two nieces, Margaret Halvorson of Great Falls and Helene Berger of Dillon.
