Leona Mary (Franzen) Kolakowski

Leona Mary (Franzen) Kolakowski, 93 yrs, of Ida, Mi, died Wednesday April 5, 2023, in Wellspring Lutheran Services, Monroe, MI, under the care of ProMedica Hospice. Friends may call at the Capaul Funeral Home, Ida, MI, Wednesday April 12, 2023, from 2-8PM with Rosary at 7PM. She will lie-in-state on Thursday April 13, 2023, from 10 AM until the Mass of the Resurrection at 11 AM at St. Gabriel Catholic Parish, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ida, MI. Fr. Gerard Cupple will officiate. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Maybee, MI.

Born November 16, 1929, in Maybee, MI. Leona was the daughter of John and Edna (Meyer) Franzen. She went to school at St. Joseph Catholic School and Maybee Public School, receiving a diploma for finishing 10th grade. She married Marion Kolakowski on October 7, 1950, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Maybee, MI. Marion died March 23, 2002. Leona was a homemaker who raised 10 children and previously worked for Alma Plastics as a press operator. She was a member of St. Gabriel Catholic Parish, St. Joseph Catholic Church, where she was a member of Christian Mothers, Lecturer, Eucharist Minister, choir leader and even sang for the Pope in 1987 at the Silver Dome for the Papal Mass Choir. Leona loved playing cards, playing organ and accordion, singing for many weddings, decorating wedding cakes, sewing, writing poetry and especially spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include: her children, Larry, Marilyn (George) Rathke, Elaine (Tim) Fuchs, Kathie (Wayne) Bossie, Peggy (Phil) Trouten, Debbie Fry and Carol Raasch; 19 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren, 19 great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, children, Danny, Chuck, Frances, siblings, Pete, Harold, Leonard, Albert, Imelda, Dorothy, Mary, grandchildren, Carolyn, Russell, Jill and great-grandchild, Evan.

Special thanks to ProMedica Hospice, Dr. Mark Snider, Wellspring Lutheran Services and exceptional caregivers, Carol Miller and Laura Hoffer.

Memorial contributions can be made to: St. Gabriel Catholic Parish or the Alzheimer’s Association.