Obituaries

Barbara Jane Kuster, 77, of Lincolnton, NC, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, January 5, 2015.

A memorial service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2015, at Boger City United Methodist Church with Rev. Eric Reece, Rev. Joe Ervin, and Rev. Earlynne Brantley officiating. The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 6:45 p.m. prior to the service at the church.

Mrs. Kuster was born on November 17, 1937, in Buffalo, NY to Raymond and Marjory Klas who preceded her in death. Mrs. Kuster grew up in Buffalo, NY and graduated from Hamburg High School in 1955. After graduation she married her teenage sweetheart, Jack Kuster, and the two were inseparable until his death in late 2009.

Mrs. Kuster was a homemaker and mother her entire life. Her great passion in life was her beloved family comprised of her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandson. It was this love of family that led Jack and Barbara to move to North Carolina in 1976. The move offered better opportunities for the family and enabled greater participation in her children’s activities and interests. Everyday Barbara could be found driving the kids to school, band practice, the golf course, or any destination needed by the family. Mrs. Kuster never met a child or stranger she did not like and was generous in spirit willing to help anyone in need.

Mrs. Kuster shared another passion with her husband and family, pure Saint Bernard dogs. Their devotion to the breed began in 1958 and resulted in many AKC champions, owning and raising renowned dogs in the breed. The Kusters became respected owners and breeders. Mrs. Kuster’s love of the breed enlarged her family dramatically as she became a generous mentor, friend and competitor in the dog show world. On any given weekend, Mrs. Kuster could be seen sitting on her scooter ringside with Jack. The Kusters traveled throughout the Southeast and U.S. exhibiting saints and participating in weight pulls. There was literally no place they would rather spend their time. The dog show world and the Saint Bernard fancy will both miss Mrs. Kuster tremendously.

Mrs. Kuster’s survivors include her 3 children, Deborah Kuster Kennedy (Ronald), Bruce Kuster (Brenda), and Jay Kuster (Jessica); her 4 grandchildren, Jessica and Summer Kennedy, Matthew (Ashlea) and Jonathan Kuster (Taylor), and one great-grandson, Gunnar Kuster, all of Lincolnton. She is also survived by her brother, Richard Klas (Sandy) of Kenmore, NY and their children Amanda Klas-Graff and Shannon Klas Glurich of Buffalo, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Hospice of Lincoln County or the Saint Bernard Rescue Foundation, Inc. and Boger City United Methodist Church, Lincolnton, NC.