Mary (Tuka) Krukowski, 89
Born: March 23, 1923
Died: Oct. 9, 2012

Mary Anne (Tuka) Krukowski, 89, of Dowagiac, passed away Tuesday Oct. 9, 2012, at the Timbers of Cass County.

Mary’s life began March 23, 1923, in Interlochen, the daughter of John and Mary (Barabas) Tuka. She met the love of her life, Anthony Krukowski, while working for Western Electric in Chicago, and they were united in marriage on July 13, 1946, in Chicago.

Mary and Tony deeply enjoyed 66 years of marriage and raising their family, which includes their children, Darlene (Ed) Waldschmidt, Donna (Jerry) Dodd, Deborah (Andy) Merrill, all of Dowagiac, Anthony (Lisa) Krukowski, Jr. of Stevensville, John Krukowski of Kalamazoo, Robert Krukowski of Dowagiac, Mary (John) Scapino of Edwardsburg, Denise (Chuck) Sobieski of Dowagiac; grandchildren, Edward Waldschmidt, Jr., Tina (Dennis) Wimberley, Kenneth (Dixie) Dodd, Jerry (Lynn) Dodd, Debra (David) Ironside, Chad (Sara) Tyrakowski, Chester (Alicia) Tyrakowski, Jr., Chris (Jeff) Kroepel, Toni (Matt) Watters, Aaron (Heather) Krukowski, Ryan Krukowski, Kyle (Ashlee) Krukowski, Johnny Krukowski, Robert Krukowski, Kristy Krukowski, Jason Krukowski, Mary Scapino, John Scapino, Jr., Michael Scapino, Cindy (Jordan) Huey, Charles Sobieski, Jr.; great-grandchildren, Jessica Whitmore, Taylor, Riley, Caleigh, Cole Wimberley, Matthew and Nathan Dodd, Cody and Emily Dodd, David, Miranda and Anna Ironside, Zachary and Kendall Kroepel, Emelia Krukowski, Jaxson Krukowski, Billy Roden and Savannah Krukowski. Mary is also survived by sisters-in-law, Ruth Tuka and Wanda Ferrera.

Tony and Mary moved to Dowagiac to run Tuka’s Grocery store. Mary was an active member at St. Clair de Montefalco Church and the Arch Confraternity of Mary in Chicago. She was a parishioner at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Sister Lakes and Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church in Dowagiac. Mary was a member of the alter guild, volunteered with the Lee Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and the Monday Angels. She assisted with Knights of Columbus blood drives and served in the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary.

Most of all, Mary was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and all-around fun lady.

She was preceded in death by her husband Tony; grandson, John Waldschmidt; granddaughter, Michelle Renee Dodd; and her brothers, Joseph and John Tuka.

Her family will gather with friends Thursday, Oct. 11, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Yazel & Clark Chapel, where the Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10:30 a.m. by Father Kevin Covert at Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church in Dowagiac. She will be laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery, Dowagiac.

Memorial contributions in Mary’s name may be directed to the Holy Maternity of Mary Building Fund.

Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Mary at www.yazel-clark.com.