Lois Marian Kowalczyk

KOWALCZYK, Lois Marian
Of Portage, Michigan Passed away Saturday afternoon, October 4, 2008 at Alterra Wynwood of Portage. Lois was born January 24, 1921 in Trowbridge Township, Allegan County, the daughter of North Robert and Clara Welbaum Thompson. She was a graduate of Richland High School and earned her B.S. and M.A. degrees from Western Michigan University. For many of her 37 ½ years in elementary education, Lois taught 4th grade in the Portage Schools, and for WMU, she served as a Student Teacher Coordinator for the Teacher Education Program. She married Michael Kowalczyk on July 29, 1972. Michael and Lois were married for 35 years and after she retired in 1979, they traveled the world extensively and enjoyed time with dear family members, friends, and neighbors. Lois loved dancing, sewing, cross-stitching, scrapbooking, and playing Dominoes and Marble Chase. Surviving are her son Larry Joanne Woodward of Midland; step-son, Jeff Mary Walters Kowalczyk of Paw Paw; 3 grandchildren, Jeffrey Kowalczyk Jr., Carrie Kowalczyk, and Robert Oswald; brother-in-law, Chester Leona Kowalczyk of Chester, VA; 2 nieces, Linda Duane Ritsema of Portage and Becki Albert Ahlrich of Galesburg; 4 nephews, Earl Linda Thompson Jr. of Hastings, Jim Karen Thompson of Richland, Richard Sue Briggs of Lansing, and Thomas Briggs of Kalamazoo; and many grand nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her loving husband and caregiver, Michael R. Kowalczyk; 1 brother, Earl Billie Thompson Sr.; 1 sister, Erma Dale Briggs; 1 brother-in-law, Edward Kowalczyk; 1 sister-in-law, Karolina John Larson; and former husbands, Laverne Chester Woodward and Frank A. Dye. Memorial services for Lois will be at 1:00 PM on Thursday at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Avenue, with Rev. James Dyke officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 12:30 PM until the time of services on Thursday at the funeral home. At Lois' request, cremation has taken place and her remains will be interred next to her husband, Michael, in Ft. Custer National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or a charity of one's choice. Online condolences may be left at www.langelands.com .