Richard “Rick” Layne Kulhanek, 75, of Kimberly, passed away at home on March 2, 2022.
Rick was born in Wendell, Idaho, to Artella “Tilly” (Small) and George LaVerne “Vern” Kulhanek on July 17, 1946. He was the third son and third child (of a total of eight children/siblings). At the time of his birth, Rick and his family lived in Jerome. However, through his formative years, elementary school years, and early teen years, his family moved from Jerome to various towns in the Southern Idaho region; Winnemucca, Nevada; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Phoenix, Arizona. Rick returned to Jerome, Idaho, in his mid-teens and spent the remainder of his teen years there before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps at age 19.
Rick served in the Vietnam War and was a Corporal when his committed service time was complete. Rick was wounded in battle while serving in the War and was merited a Purple Heart.
Upon his return from the War, Rick began both a family and a career. He was blessed with two children (Angela and Shadric) from his first marriage, and two children (Douglas and Stacey) from his second marriage (Cheryl Vielguth Siver). His children have memories of hunting, fishing and camping together and will never forget Rick’s guidance to “always leave it [nature] better than you found it.” While Rick was an incredibly skilled craftsman, his primary career was in the flooring industry. His standard of quality was second to none. He was well-respected in the industry.
In Rick’s younger years, he was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed all things related to hunting, fishing, camping, rafting, hiking and general adventuring. Some of Rick’s favorite memories came from his time as a chartered guide, which, at times involved white water rafting and back country hunting trips with out-of-state and out-of-country tourists. Rick had a green thumb and took great pride in his beautifully manicured lawns, flower beds and gardens. He was also an avid reader and actually learned to take an interest in reading when he found comic books as a child. He ultimately found his favorite genre of books was political thrillers.
Rick was, without a doubt, a socialite (especially in his younger days), and was often the life of the party. He loved his friends and family generously and when he was healthier and more capably able, wouldn’t hesitate to lend a hand when needed. His wise cracks and backwards sense of humor eventually took on a life of their own to those closest to him and his “Rick-isms” will live on forever now. He will be greatly missed.
No funeral services will be held. However, a graveside service will take place with full military honors on Friday, March 11, 2022, at 1 pm, at the Snake River Canyon National Cemetery, 1585 E. Elm St., Buhl, Idaho. A casual gathering to celebrate Rick’s life will follow in Twin Falls. Please contact Rick’s family for details.
Rick is preceded in death by his maternal and paternal Grandparents; all but one of his aunts and uncles; his mother, Artella Kathern Rosen (Small); his father, George LaVerne Kulhanek; and his brother, Dennis Kulhanek.
Rick is survived by his Aunt Patty Bayliss; brother, Darrell (Joy) Kulhanek; sister-in-law, Maxine Kulhanek; brother, Terry Kulhanek; sister, Sandee (Doug) Miller; brother, Tom (Cindy) Rosen; sister, Becky Johansen; sister, Patty (Bruce) Bekkedahl; daughter, Ange’ (Brian) Black; son, Shad (Carla) Miller; son, Doug (Dory) Kulhanek; daughter, Stacey (Heath) Runyon; 11 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend gratitude to White-Reynolds funeral chapel for handling the arrangements in this matter.