Marie A. Kondras, 89, of Dowagiac, passed away at her home on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010.

Marie’s life began on June 10, 1920, in Chicago, Ill., the daughter of Natale and Maria (Pettinatto) Ranieri.

Marie served our country in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a hospital apprentice.
Prior to joining the Navy, she worked as a secretary for the Armour Research Foundation in Chicago and later as a secretary for the Cass County Cooperative Extension office.
Marie was united in marriage to Edward G. Trapp in December 1939.

He was lost at sea when the destroyer USS Hull, which he served on, sank during a storm in December 1944.

Marie married John Kondras on Oct. 5, 1954.

Marie was a longtime parishioner of Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church in Dowagiac.

She gave back to her community by volunteering at Lee Memorial Hospital and at the Cass County Council on Aging.

Marie had been a member of Cass County Post 1855 Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Marie touched the lives of many in such a special way and we will miss her deeply.
She is survived by several nieces and nephews.

Our dear Marie went to sleep in Jesus at her residence with family at her side, Saturday morning, Feb. 13, 2010.

She is preceded in death by her husbands Edward Trapp in 1944 and John Kondras in 1991, an infant son “Mickie,” her only sister Mannie Aldrich and a brother John Ranieri.
A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 20, at  10 a.m. at tHoly Maternity of Mary Catholic Church led by Father Leo Taubitz.

Marie will be laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery; Dowagiac.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Borgess Hospice in her name.

Yazel and Clark Chapel is serving the family. Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Marie at www.yazel-clark.com.