Ceslie Kuklis

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers are suggested to go to www.afsp.org.  A celebration of life will be held on July 24, 2021 at 5:30 PM the Cozad Elks Lodge, 820 Avenue J, Cozad, Nebraska, 69130.

Ceslie Kuklis, of Laveen, Arizona, passed away Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at her home.  Ceslie was born July 22, 1978 in Cozad, Nebraska to Jerry and Cindy Kuklis.  She graduated from Cozad High School and was elected homecoming queen by her peers her senior year.  Ceslie went on to graduate from Doane College in Crete, Nebraska, receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Education.  She went on to further her education by obtaining a Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction in 2004 from Doane in addition to a second Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University in 2018.  Ceslie impacted countless students throughout her teaching career.  Her most recent position was ESS Facilitator at the Academies at South Mountain. She was the Facilitator there for 6 years, where she embraced her love for working with students with all types of disabilities. She gave 100% to her job and made sure that her Special Education Department ran smoothly.  Ceslie particularly enjoyed spending time throwing the ball for her labradoodle, Navi.  She was passionate about coaching volleyball, everything Huskers, swimming at the gym, and never turned down a Bath and Body Works sale.  She was involved in her community through participation in walks for cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and bringing awareness to autism.  Ceslie was known by her family as a master holiday baker and someone that could light up a room with her smile.

Ceslie’s final message to her family and friends included the following: “words matter, actions matter the sticks and stones may break bones, but words will never hurt – it’s not true. Words do hurt, so please, please be kind to anyone who crosses your path – you really never know what someone has been through – kindness matters – ESPECIALLY to the little ones. …. Please do your best not to be sad/mad for long.  I had a pretty good life and with any luck made a positive difference in at least one life along the way.  Think about the good times, the laughs, the hugs – that’s what life is about.  Lean on those who love you.”

Ceslie was preceded in death by her mother Cindy Kuklis, father Jerry Kuklis, grandparents Joseph and Sylvia Kuklis, Alice (Milford) France, and Dale Jack; uncles David Barela and Patrick Jack; and aunts Cecilia Williams and Cheryl Jack.  Ceslie will be greatly missed by her sister Joelie Kuklis of Denver, CO and her best fur friend, Navi; uncles Mike (Jodi) Jack of Marble Falls, TX, Scott (Jackie) France of Gothenburg, NE, Joe (Kathy) France of Gothenburg, NE, Michael Kuklis (Michael Daudier) of Lake Worth Beach, FL, Dan (Janna) Kuklis of Grand Island, NE, Jeff (Stacy) Kuklis of Milford, NE, Denny (Patty) Williams of Pinetop, AZ; aunts Ramona (Phil) Griffith of Carbondale, CO, LaDonna (Russ Besmer) Barela of Cozad, NE; and numerous cousins, friends, colleagues, and students.