Prokofi Edward Kovalenko

BIRTH 8 JUL 1877 • Nikolaiev, Mykolayiv, Ukraine

DEATH 13 OCTOBER 1946 • Tacoma, Pierce, Washington

Katherina Paul

BIRTH 1 JAN 1879 • Petroffka, Ukraine, Russia

DEATH 30 JULY 1943 • Tacoma, Pierce, Washington, USA

~~1890~~

Prokofi Kovalenko married Miss Katherina Paul from Petroffka, Ukraine, Russia,

on August 24, 1897, in Katherinental, Ukraine, Russia

Prokofi and Katherina had nine children

Efrem 1897-1902 

George Joseph 1905-1963 

Frances V 1908-1988

Barbara K 1910-1984

 Celestina “Sally” 1911-1933

Peter Marcus 1912-2005

Matilda 1914-2004

Philomena 1916-2008

Rose Marie 1919-1976 

~~~~~

Prokofi and Katherina welomed a baby boy Efrem Kovalenko on

December 26, 1897, in Petroffka, Ukraine, Russia

~~1900~~

Prokofi came to the United States from Ukraine in 1902 and was working on

becoming an American Citizen.

~~~~~

Exactly five years after his birthday, Efram passed away on December 26, 1902,

in St. Anthony, Morton County, North Dakota.

Saint Anthony Catholic CemeterySaint Anthony, Morton County, North Dakota

Plot: location not known, no gravestone is found.

238605028 · View Source

~~1910~~

The family is living in Morton, North Dakota. Prokofi and Katie have been married for 12 years. Their young son Efrem has passed away at the age of 5. It looks as if he had died on his birthday. George is 4, Frances is 1yr 4/12mos, and Barbara is 2 months old. You will notice on this census that Prokofi and Katie have their Birthplace listed as Russia, Ger. When the census takers write down their birthplace, they are required to write down the immigrant’s native tongue. Ger=German. After some research and reading on Wikipedia, It’s possible that both Prokofi and Katie’s ancestors were from Germany, and thanks to Russian Tzar Catherine ll (Catherine the Great), she gave Germans land to rebuild and farm in Ukraine after the Ottoman Empire destroyed most of it. She knew that Germans were hard-working people. Many Germans settled in Ukraine.

It wasn’t until Alexander ll came along and started taking away the Ukrainian/German way of life that they wanted a new start. That’s when the promise of cheap land and freedom in the United States came into play. Prokofi was able to purchase land in North Dakota. 160 acres of land in 1911 to homestead and farm.

Wow! Signed by President William H. Taft

~~~~~~

Prokofi was farming the land. He owned the land without a mortgage. He could read and write but Katie could only read. Maybe she could only write in German? Maybe she was only taught to keep the house?

~~~~~

This map shows some of the land the Kovelankos owned in red and one of Katherine’s relatives Peter Paul in green

~~~~~

Prokofi’s 1918 Registration Card

It’s so neat to see ancestors’ signatures. Prokofi was a naturalized citizen.

He was of medium height and build, he had blue eyes and dark hair.

~~1920~~

The Kovalenko family is still in Morton Township North Dakota. Prokofi is 42 years old and Katie is 41. They have 8 children all born pretty close to each other. George is 14 and helps his father on the farm while attending school. Francis 11, Barbara 9, Celestina 8, and Peter 7 are also attending school. Mathilda 5, Philomina 3 4/12, and Rosa is 6 months old and are too small for school. Prokofi and Katie were naturalized on November 15, 1910. It looks like Prokofi listed his mother tongue as Russian and Katie’s is German. Same with both of their parents. Prokofi is still farming. Major news in that decade was that a meteorite landed in Freda in 1919. It is displayed at the Smithsonian’s American Museum of Natural History in Washington DC.

~~~~~~

1925 North Dakota Census. The family is living Kovalenko’s are on lines 12-16. Prokofi 47, Katherina 46, George 19, Francis 16, Barbara 15, Celestina 14, Peter 12, Matilda 11, Philomina 9, Rose 5

~~~~~

~Francis V. married Raymond Senn from Mott, North Dakota, on November 23, 1925,

in Timmer, North Dakota. They made their home on Raymond’s farm in Mott, North Dakota.

They did not have any children.

~~~~~

~George Joeseph married Miss Katherine Vogel from Crown Butte, North Dakota, on November 25, 1929, in Crown Butte, North Dakota. In the 1930 census, it has them living in Morton ND, near Katherine’s family.

George and Katherine had five children

Raymond A. 1931-2022

Katherine M 1933-

Sally Ann 1936-

George William Jr 1937-1969

Peter 1939-

~~1930~~

The Kovalenko’s are still in North Dakota living in Freda. The total population of the town was at its highest ever at 178 people. Peter 17, Mathilda 16, and Rose 10 are at home and attending school. I’m not sure why Barbara is scratched out? She would get married in 1932. Prokofi is 52 and Katie is 51. His native tongue is still listed as Russian and Katie’s is German. He is still farming his land. I wish they would list how many acres they were using and what they were growing.

~~~~~

~Barbara married Richard Thomas Puryear of Regina, Canada,

on November 4, 1932, in Bismark North Dakota.

Together Richard and Barbara had five children

Richard H. 1935 (He is the only surviving sibling 8-2023) Keep him in your prayers as he’s reaching 90!

He means so much to us. The picture is of Richard and his mother.

Update: Richard “Dick” Puryear passed away in October 2023.

Lloyd Albert 1936-1985

Sallie Louise 1944-2006

Barbara Ann 1945-2000

John Thomas 1951-2011

~~~~~

Sadly in 1934 Prokofi and Katie lost another child way too early. Celestine was 23 and working at a hotel in Bismarck, ND. The cause of death was Peritonitis (acute inflammation of the abdomen). She was unmarried. About 5 minutes after writing this I found the real cause of death (second newspaper clipping). So sad.

Both papers are from The Bismarck Tribune. Top November 16, 1934. Bottom May 4, 1935

Celestina is buried next to Maria Madenber. I’m not sure why they are the only two buried there? I could not find any information on Maria that would answer my questions.

Saint George Cemetery Timmer, Morton County, North Dakota, USA

F.A.G# 112012702 · View Source

~~~~~

~Matilda married Christ Berger on March 4, 1935, in Timmer North Dakota.

They had two children together

Christ Paul 1937-

Robert 1949-

~~~~~

Peter Marcus married Miss Grace “Louise” Pinette from Tacoma, Washington, on October 13, 1937, in Tacoma Washington. Witnesses were Christ Berger and Mary Chicovich

Peter and Louise had two children

Twins Robert F. and Arlene J. were born in 1942

~~~~~

~Philomena Catherine married Mr. Mathias S. Matz of Oliver, North Dakota, on May 20, 1939, in South Tacoma, Pierce Co. Washington. Witnesses were Richard T. Puryear and Mary Matz.

Mathias “Matt” and Philomena “Phil” had two children

Luella Rhoda 1940-2008

David 1944-

~~1940~~

1930 to 1940 was a busy year for son George and his wife Katherine. They had 5 kids under the age of 9. It looks like they are living on the family land and George is farming alongside Prokofi. Prokofi is now 62 and Katie is 60 years old. All of the adults have 8th grade as the highest grade completed. They are working on their own account on the farm and are working about 65 hours a week.

~~~~~

Prokofi Edward Kovalenko’s Registration Card of April 26, 1942. Prokifi was 64 years old, 5ft 5in, weighed 150 lbs, had blue eyes, grey hair, and a light complexion. He has a scar on his upper lip.

~ Rose Marie married Mr. George H. Buckley in Tacoma, Washington on October 13, 1942. Witnesses were Matthew Knoll and Matilda Berger

Rose and George had two children

Sandra Lee 1944-

Reathie Marie 1948-

~~~~~

Sadly in 1943, Katherine passed away. She is buried at Calvery Cemetery in Tacoma Washington. We were able to visit their gravesites in 2021 and it was such a beautiful and well-organized cemetery.

Calvary CemeteryTacoma, Pierce County, Washington, USA

F.A.G# 100141403 · View Source

~~~~~

Just 3 years after the passing of his wife Katherine,

Prokofi passed away on October 13, 1946.

Calvary CemeteryTacoma, Pierce County, Washington, USA

F.A.G# 100141420 · View Source

~~1950~~

George, Katherine, and all five children ages 19-10 are at home in Sumner, Washington. George 45, and daughter Catherine 17, are farming. Katherine 42, is working as the school cook. Raymond 19, is working in a shoe shop as a shoe shiner. Sally Ann 14, is working as a babysitter in a private home. They have a boarder living with them named Moses Levack 62, who worked as a trucker.

Raymon 49, and Frances 41, are living in Mott, North Dakota. Raymond is still working his farm and Frances owns her own Beauty Shops.

Richard 39, and Barbara 40, are living in Tacoma, Washington. Richard is a Shovel Oiler at a construction company. Barbara is at home with Richard 15, Lloyd 13, Sally 6, and Barbara “Barbie” 4.

Peter 37, and Louise 35, are living in Stevens, Washington. Peter is working as a Diesel Engineer Lineman for a Bardging and Towing Company. Twins Arlene and Robert are attending school.

Christ 45, and Matilda 36, are living in Tacoma, Washington. Christ is working as a Crane Operator. Christ Jr 12, is a student, and Robert 1, is at home with Matilda.

Matt 39, and Philomena 34, are living in Tacoma, Washington. Matt is a Warehouseman for a Building Construction. Children Luella 10, and David 5, are at school and home.

George 28, and Rose 20, are living in Tacoma, Washington. George is a Dentist and Rose stays home with the girls Sandra Lee 6, and Retha Marie 2.

~~1960~~

~George Joseph Kovalenko passed away on February 19, 1963, in Sumner Washington.

Sumner CemeterySumner, Pierce County, Washington, USA

F.A.G# 19386520 · View Source

~~~~~

Dick Puryear thinks he remembers this being the gathering after the funeral of his Uncle George who passed away in 1963. Can you name the event and help me fill in the names. I will post this picture below without numbers on it.

1.	2.(Philomena Kovalenko Matz)	3. (Raymond)	4.	5.
6.	7.	8. Gertrude Zajac Puryear	9. Richard “Dick” Puryear	10. (George Kovalenko Jr.)
11.	12.	13.	14.	15.
16. (Lorri Kovalenko)	17. (Dorthy Sellers Kovalenko)	18.	19. (Matt Matz)	20. (Barbara Kovalenko Puryear)
21. (Katherine Kovalenko)	22. Robert “Bob” Puryear	23.(Matilda Kovalenko Berger)	24. (Peter Kovalenko)	25. “Louise” Pinette Kovalenko
26.	27. Gregory “Greg” Puryear	28. James “Jim” Puryear	29.	30.
31

~~~~~

~ Rose Marie Kovalenko Buckley Rogers passed away December 15, 1976, in Fairbanks Alaska.

Burial Details Unknown – F.A.G# 238652972 · View Source

~~~~~

~Barbara K Kovalenko Puryear passed away September 2, 1984, in Tacoma Washington

Calvary CemeteryTacoma, Pierce County, Washington, USA

F.A.G# 98187154 · View Source

~~~~~

~Frances V Kovalenko Senn passed away on August 27, 1988, in Bismarck North Dakota.

Sunny Slope CemeteryMott, Hettinger County, North Dakota, USA

F.A.G# 153043036 · View Source

~~~~~

~Matilda Kovalenko Berger passed away on February 2, 2004, in Bellevue Washington

Calvary CemeteryTacoma, Pierce County, Washington, USA
F.A.G# 97812356 · View Source

~~~~~

~Peter Marcus Kovalenko passed away on April 13, 2005, in Moses Lake Washington

Calvary CemeteryTacoma, Pierce County, Washington, USA

F.A.G# 97812393 · View Source

~~~~~

~Philomena C Kovalenko Matz passed away October 13, 2008, in Tacoma Washington

Haven of Rest CemeteryGig Harbor, Pierce County, Washington, USA

F.A.G# 89155626 · View Source

~~~~~

As always their story isn’t finished yet. Thank you for reading. Let me know if you have pictures, stories, or favorite memories of anyone on this page. 

-Family members in Bold have their own page on this website where you can find more about their story. 

-F.A.G# are FindaGrave.com reference numbers if you to start your own virtual cemetery through their app.

-I find most of my information in State or County books, family genealogy books, libraries, Google searches, and personal stories and pictures given to me

• Ancestry.com
• FamilySearch.org
• Wikitree.com
• Fold3.com
• Newspapers.com

I do this to preserve our family history for us and future generations. I  keep the website ad-free because who wants to see ads. I do take donations and I truly appreciate everyone who has donated so far. You know who you are 🙂 We have a Venmo set up now @Eric-Puryear-3 to make donations easier.

Thank you again for reading and remember if you count back 10 generations, it took 2,046 people to come together at separate times in history just to make you! 

~Heather~