Evelyn "Peg" Kowaleski's Obituary
Evelyn “Peg” Belle Kowaleski, 95, of Remus, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great and great great- grandmother went home to her Lord on, January 10, 2013.
Peg was born on May 11, 1917, the daughter of Clyde and Elizabeth McNeilly of Sears, Michigan. She graduated from Michigan State College, earning a degree in Social Work in 1941. Upon graduation, she worked as social worker in Detroit and Big Rapids. While at Michigan State, she met Edward “Doc” Kowaleski of Pinconning and they were married on December 29, 1943 in Berkley, where Doc was in medical school at Wayne State University. They had been married for 61 years when Doc died on October 27, 2005.
Peg had been actively involved in her community for all her adult life, especially in activities that supported youth programs in the area. She helped organize swimming programs and summer camps over a number of years. She was Chair of the American Cancer Society fund drive, Wheatland Township Library, Help Pregnancy and MOARC Board member. She also helped organize Heritage Days luncheons for senior citizens. Peg was also active in church work, serving at one point as the chair of Christian Services for St Michael’s church, which collected food and gifts for over 100 needy families as well as taking an active part in the management of St Michael’s parochial school. Peg did volunteer work for the United Fund, the Red Cross and the Blood Bank, and has contributed financially to other charitable organizations too numerous to mention. She was also the recipient of the Liberty Bell award in 1979, recognizing her for outstanding service for the local community that strengthens the effectiveness of the American system of freedom under law.
Peg is survived by her children, son Patrick (Andrea VanSteenhouse) of Denver Colorado, son Michael (Trudy) of Remus, son Edward (Laurie) Kowaleski MD of Scottsdale, Arizona, daughter Ann (Eric Torgersen) of Mount Pleasant, daughter Mary Sue Kowaleski of Remus, daughter Jo (Tim) Sweeney of Remus, son Tim Kowaleski of Ypsilanti and son Jim Kowaleski (Millie Castro) of Fairbanks, Alaska. Peg was grandmother to 17 children and a great grandmother and great great grandmother to several more. Along with raising their eight children Doc and Peg opened their home to exchange students Uli Maass from Germany, Maisa T.M. Rubiao from Brazil, Marta Neiva from Brazil and Sue Spielmann from Argentina.
Peg is preceded in death by six brothers, Edwin, Arthur, Rolland (Ray), Dr. Gordon, Burtie (Burt), and Lynn, and one sister, Elsie Clark.
The funeral mass will take place on Monday, January 14 at 11 am at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Remus. Officiating at the service will be Father Michael Burt. Burial will follow the mass at St. Michael’s cemetery.
Friends may call on Sunday, January 13 at St Michael’s church from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM. There will also be a rosary at the church starting at 7 PM. Memorials or gifts, in lieu of flowers, should be made to St. Michael’s School.
What’s your fondest memory of Evelyn?
What’s a lesson you learned from Evelyn?
Share a story where Evelyn's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Evelyn you’ll never forget.
How did Evelyn make you smile?
