KREW KUTS: Backroads to Front Pages
By Bernie Krewski
MARY KUICH
One of the memorable deaths of early pioneers in this district in 1965 was Mary Theresa Kuich. She passed away at age 82 in Oyen Municipal Hospital January 23. Born at Millerville Minnesota in 1882, she and her husband Joseph moved to Minot North Dakot in 1904, to Eyebrow Saskatchewan in 1908, and then to the Oyen district 1912. They farmed south of town until retiring in this community in 1953. Mary Kuich was predeceased by a son in 1905 and her husband in 1956. She is survived by a daughter and son in Oyen, Ida and Clarence, and another son Wilfred of Sundre. She also leaves a sister and five grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted at Sacred Heart Church in Oyen, Rev. Father Hoschka officiating.
There is a brief history of the Kuich family in “Many Trails Cross Here,” vol. 1, pp.145-146, prepared by its editors, based on memories. It states that Joseph Kuick was a “Trustee and Councillor,” instrumental in establishing Superba country school besides his involvement in municipal governance.
James G. MacGregor, prolific author of many books on early prairie history, told columnist Ken Liddell of the Calgary Herald that “when he drives from Edmonton to Medicine Hat, he always takes the back roads, via Oyen and other places like that, because he enjoys the countryside.”
He could easily have added cherishing the “sense of community” that exists along these quiet trails.
Since I attended high school in Oyen with two of Mrs. Kuich’s grandchildren, Joyce and George, I wanted to find out more about their family, employing the backroads of news stories. One of these sources was “The Oyen News” which commenced publishing in March 1914 and archived, starting July 2nd. A few weeks later, July 28, war broke out in Europe. No one here knew how this terrible conflict would soon impact prairie agriculture, expansion of acreage for example, while simultaneously conscripting young farmers for the battlefields – losing many buried in military cemeteries!
JOSEPH KUICH
A highlight then on the local scene was one of the first documented records of a festive event in this district. As The Oyen News reported on July 30: “Dance at Mr. Kuich’s Place; Given In Honour of Mr. and Mrs. F. Healey.”
“Mr. J. Kuich’s place presented a very gay appearance,” when thirty-six friends of newly wedded Mr. and Mrs. Felix Healey attended a dance in their honour. It continued until the early hours of the morning. From all accounts, a very enjoyable time was spent by those present. The excellence of the refreshments brought forward nothing but the most favourable comments.”
Moving Farm House 1953
Among those attending were the Misses Roberge (no other information), Alma Holt (perhaps related to Dr. Holt, a dentist who opened a practice in 1921), Mr. Green (possibly William J. Green, MTCH 1, p. 153), M. McDonald (manager, Whitlock Lumber Co.), and J.A. Odden (owner of Oyen Billiard Hall). During the visitors’ departure, Miss Leontine Roberge showed exceptional coolness and courage when the team driven by Mr. Green became troublesome and onlookers were concerned about her safety.
This local but important event reminded me of what Barbara Ehrenreich described in “Dancing in the Streets: A History of Collective Joy” (2007). She takes an absorbing look at the joy of life expressed in communal traditions of dance and celebration dating back to earlier times and cultures.
MINNIE HANSON
Minnnie Hanson
Eleven years after this celebratory event, on November 18, 1925, the Oyen News published the obituary of Mary Kuich’s mother – Mrs. Minnie (Peter) Hanson (nee Knutson), age 69. She died on November 6 (Nov. 7 in Keith MacLean’s records), and her funeral took place at the United Church in Oyen on November 9 with interment at the Oyen Cemetery.
Hanson or Hansen – the spelling is inconsistent. And this Peter Hanson is a different man than the Peter Hansen cited in Many Trails Cross Here, vol. 1, pp. 53-54.
Minnie Hanson was born in Haarlow Denmark, near Copenhagen May 11, 1856. She had been in failing health for about a year, but death came suddenly and unexpectedly. Of the six children born to her, four are living - two daughters, Mrs. Mary Kuich and Mrs. Ida Lightheart, both of this district, and two sons, Fred in the state of Washington and Ernest in Florida.
Migrating to Alexandria Minnesota at age 21, Minnie Knutson married Peter Hanson shortly after her arrival. They moved to a farm in the township of Millerville where they resided from 1876 to 1911. Subsequent moves were to Crookston, Minnesota and then Foam Lake Saskatchewan. By 1919, their son Ernest was living in Florida. After visiting him, they moved to Oyen where they lived until the time of their deaths.
Mrs. Hanson was described as a woman of strong character and alert to her surroundings. She educated herself to read and write English, and for many years took an active interest in the educational affairs of her neighbourhood. She held the office of school clerk for many years. She was of winning personality and highly esteemed by her neighbors. Her funeral was held at the United Church Oyen with interment at the Oyen Cemetery where she rests beside her husband, Peter. He was in born in 1848 and died on March 4, 1924.
IDA KUICH
Ida Theresa Kuich, born March 7, 1907, remained single throughout her life, passing away on March 2, 1981. Nonetheless, she managed to carry on the joyful customs of her family.
A very brief news item in the Calgary Herald on June 14, 1933, announced the marriage of William Walker of Oyen. In MTCH vol. 1, pp. 148, he wrote: “In June 1933, I married Mary Jmina (?) Spitzig from Bavaria, Germany…and we had ten children.” Her bridesmaid, the Herald noted, was Ida Kuich!
Ida and Mary in Calgary 1940s
On March 12, 1949, there was a “happy time” at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jack McLean
with “five tables of whist” and then “dancing” with “William Walker on his violin, Jack McLean with his accordion, and Miss I. Kuich on piano.” They were celebrating sister-in-law Martha Kuich’s birthday which occurred after midnight.
JOSEPH KUICH
News of the death of Joseph Kuich, Mary’s husband, was reported in the Hanna Herald on August 23, 1956, with this headline: “Oyen Resident Dies at Home August 12.” Born at Millerville, Minnesota, March 18, 1878, he came to Oyen in 1912 where he farmed until his retirement in 1953.
His death “at home” was likely by chance but nonetheless highly symbolic, considering what happened “at his home” in late July 1914!