Ruth Agnes Kowalski

Ruth Agnes Kowalski, age 79, late of Highland IN, formerly of Calumet City, IL passed away on Good Friday, March 29, 2013 at Wittenberg Lutheran Nursing Home in Crown Point, IN with her family by her side. Survived by her husband Zygmunt Kowalski, six children, Anna (Michael) Tometczak, Christina (Joseph) Hajducko, Zygmunt John (Brenda) Kowalski, Donna (Thomas) Gosciej, Barbara (John) Vetrano, Thomas (Kelly) Kowalski; ten grandchildren: Elizabeth Tometczak, Michael (Sherri) Tometczak Jr.,Laura Tometczak, Rachel Gosciej, Clarissa Gosciej, Brittany (Timothy Craig) O’Neal (nee Kowalski), Melissa Vetrano, Anthony Vetrano, Jaclyn Kowalski and Nicole Kowalski. Great-grandson Zacery Tometczak. Two step-grandchildren, Bridgette (Jones) Smith and Bethany (Dan) Bodine and several step-great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Sisters: Dorothy (late Donald) Bobkowski, Shirley (Terry) Edwards, Sandra (late Jeff) Duda, Karen (Isidoro) Salazar and Brother Stanley (Susana) Kowalski; aunt to many nieces and nephews and Godmother. She was preceded in death by her parents Mary Kowalski (nee Rolek), Stanley Kowalski, Step-mother Emma Kowalski and many nieces, nephews, cousins and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law in Poland. \tFuneral service will be held Saturday, April 6, 2013 9:15 AM. prayers from the Kish Funeral Home, 10000 Calumet Ave., Munster, IN to St. James the Less Catholic Church, 45th Ave/Kennedy Ave. Highland, IN. Mass 10:00 AM. Interment, Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation Friday, April 5, 2013 from 3pm – 8pm. Prayer service at 4:00 PM.\tRuth was born on May 27, 1933, in Chicago, IL. She went to High School at St. Mary’s Academy in Nauvoo, IL. She later met her spouse of 58 years, Zygmunt, while at a dance. After a short courtship, they wed 9 months later on July 24, 1954. Ruth dedicated her life to raising her six children and enjoying her many grandchildren. While raising her large family, she was also active in the Band Parents Association. Ruth was a Cashier at Super-X Drugs in Munster, IN and at Victor Pharmacy in Calumet City, IL. She was an avid flower gardener. She was a member of the St. Andrew Sunshine Club in Calumet City, IL, The Golden Times and American Polka Association. She also served on the Polish American Heritage Celebration Committee in Calumet City, IL. Ruth was an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion at St. James the Less Catholic Church in Highland, IN. During her retirement she and Ziggy still enjoyed Polka dancing and traveling to see her wide-spread family across the United States and Poland.\tIn lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Anthony Hospice in Crown Point, IN.