Veta S. Kowalski

Veta S. Kowalski, 85, of Mishawaka, IN, passed away on Friday, November 30, 2018 after a brief illness. Mom was born on February 19, 1933, in Muskegon, MI, to the late Ora W. and Anna Mae (Hutchinson) Skelton. On June 11, 1955, as Veta S. Skelton, she married John S. Kowalski, who preceded her in death on July 21, 2008. She was also preceded in death by a son- Kevin M. Kowalski, step-daughter Janice (Butch) Imbro, and three sisters- Thelma Rohrbaugh, Norma Becker and Jeannie Skelton and by brother-in-laws- Carl Rohrbaugh and George Becker. Veta is survived by her daughters- Cynthia Sanchez of Mishawaka, Kari (Harold) Hough of North Liberty, Marlene (Franz) Haas of Osceola, two sons- John M. Kowalski of Ft. Wayne, and Gregory S. (Cindy) Kowalski of South Bend; twelve grandchildren, Jason (Wendy), Jeremy, Jaymi (Brandon) Julianna (Tony), Paul, Adam, Katie, Hanna, Holly, Abby, Anna and Cassie (JD); eleven great-grandchildren- Morgan, Jesse, Jordan, Mariah, Christian, Jasmine, Isabella, Jayden, Tristen, Austin, and Chase; six great-great grandchildren- Ja'Liya, ZaMoni, Domanik, Aveyah, Rayah and Rosie; a sister, Jackie (Tom) Wheatbrook of Rolling Prairie; and a daughter-in-law, Nancy Freitag of South Bend.   Mom had a full-time job raising her own and extended family, but also worked at the former EH Tepe store in South Bend and then as a Contract Administrator for Defense Logistics for 20 years before retiring in May, 1999. She was a 1950 graduate of Muskegon High School, attended Ivy Tech, I.U.S.B. and Tri State University. She was active within Our Lady of Hungary parish, where she was a past president of the Home and School Association and also served on the Parish Council and School Board. She actively raisied us boys in and served as a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts and Webelos programs and also taught and trained young men for the Parvuli Dei program. Mom and Dad were happily married since 1955 and remarried under God in December of 2007. They enjoyed traveling and took many vacations with Uncle Carl and Aunt Sissie, and Aunt Nornie and Uncle George, to Minnesota, the UP, Vegas and Reno among their favorite spots, and played snowbirds to Florida for a few years as well. Mom enjoyed the holidays with her five children and extended family, and seemingly Christmas shopped all year round, which allowed her time to cook and bake her endless assortment of treats that she shared with everyone. She loved having all of us over for birthdays, graduations, and pool parties, but she also really appreciated the calm and quiet when we left too! She enjoyed gardening, playing slot games on her computer when Pam and Cindi weren't taking her to the casino, and mom was the absolute most voracious reader anyone has ever known. Mom was a caring and compassionate person, helped everyone who ever knew her in more ways than most would ever know, and she certainly bore her share of crosses in recent years. Mom was also very fond of her furry kids as well and took in many kitties and puppies over the years, and will be waiting for her kitty Mary, and puppies Lizzie and Cubby, to join her over the rainbow bridge. As this is a celebration of mom's life, she requested that we do not wear black to her services.  Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday December 5, 2018 at the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Dr., South Bend, where a Parish Rosary will be prayed at 4:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday December 6, 2018 at Our Lady of Hungary Church, 829 W. Calvert St., South Bend, where friends may visit for one hour prior to the Mass. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery, South Bend. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice Foundation 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545-5234, to Our Lady of Hungary Parish, to Pet Refuge or your personal charity. To send online condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com

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