Geraldine Kozak

Geraldine M. Kozak was an executive secretary and later homemaker and community volunteer. She developed a life-long love of sports, especially golf. She gave her love and support to family members, as well as to others. Her wish was for people to be more thoughtful, and helpful to their fellow humans throughout the world, and for the elimination of drugs, and moderation of alcohol so people could use the good brains that God had blessed them with.

Born on December 27, 1918 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Francis Wilhelm Owzcarzak and Josephine Marie (Nowicki) Owczarzak, Geraldine, a name chosen by her mother who wished her to have an uncommon name, was the third child of four. Francis was a superintendent at John Widdicomb Furniture Company. He was a very talented craftsman who built his own boat, house, and furniture. He also repaired his own cars and built a radio. His untimely death left Josephine a widow while she was still in her forties. She had been a homemaker, who now went to work as a cook in the Grand Rapids schools and at Mount Mercy Academy. Times were challenging during the Depression, but the family enjoyed car trips to Detroit and Chicago to visit relatives, see the Chicago World’s Fair, and to experience Northern Michigan’s natural beauty. Geri’s parents were strict and protective, not allowing her out of the immediate neighborhood. She was also limited in the time she could spend at the movies or with sports. Displaying an early interest in sports, Geri enjoyed ice skating, tennis and camping and became the youngest member of a traveling competitive bowling team from the Fanatorium. The family were stalwart parishioners at St. Aldalbert’s parish where Geri attended school through eighth grade. In 1938, her picture was in the newspaper for having won first place in a popularity contest at the parish festival. She had twice as many votes as any of the other contestants!

After graduating from Catholic Central High School, Geri attended Davenport Business College and the University of Grand Rapids. Geri was an exceptional student who excelled in everything she put her mind to. She especially loved English, History and Math. At first Geri wanted to be a teacher, but decided on being an executive secretary instead.

Frances, Geri’s older brother, married Helen who had a brother named Ray Kozak. Ray and Geri took notice of each other at the Kozak family home. Ray, who had just graduated from Law school, asked Geri out and she accepted. The young couple dated for a year and a half, becoming engaged on May 19, 1941. They were married on July 23, 1941 at St. Adalbert’s. They celebrated a wedding breakfast at her parents’ home and a special dinner at the Palm Room of the Warsaw Restaurant, before heading off for a honeymoon. Their plans for a weeklong honeymoon, driving through Northern Michigan to Niagara Falls were cut short when the temperature reached a daily high of 100 degrees in Sault Ste. Marie!

The young couple started their married life together in an upstairs apartment in the house behind Geri’s parents’ home. After Ray enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942, Geri moved to be with him in Corpus Christi, Texas, then to Norfolk, Virginia, where they waited for his ship to be built, and finally in Darien, Connecticut, for Officer’s Training School. While Ray was in the Caribbean and Atlantic theaters, Geri did her part for the war effort, working as executive secretary to the Chief Engineer in Aircraft at Hayes Manufacturing.

When Ray returned from the Navy they moved to a little bungalow on Diamond Avenue to take care of Ray’s parents. In a few years Susan Rae and Jean Marie were born. While Geri was a strict mother, she was very loving, always stressing education.

Geri continued with her strong faith, the whole family devoutly attending Holy Spirit Parish where she and Ray were founding members. Together they chaired the Diocesan Development Fund Drive for several years. Geri served as president of the Altar Society, Secretary for CSA, and most recently counted money for the Sunday collections. Geri volunteered her time on the boards of the Kent County Heart Association, and Mary Catherine Guild of St. Mary’s Hospital and worked with pre-school children at Child Haven as a member of Lawyer’s Wives. When her daughters were little she served as Campfire leader for many years.

Staying active in sports, Geri enjoyed bowling in mixed leagues with her mother and also with Ray. She and Ray shared a passion for golf, mostly at the Green Ridge Country Club, later becoming the Egypt Valley. Geri traveled to golf tournaments around Michigan in the Senior Women’s Golf League from Egypt Valley. When Geri retired from golf, she continued to ride the golf cart with her grandsons to patiently instruct them on the progress of their swings. She and Ray passionately played cards, bridge, contract bridge, set back, blackjack, and poker with family and friends.

Jean’s education abroad, golf and grandchildren directed Ray and Geri’s travel. They toured Europe while Jean was studying in France and later Italy. Geri visited Jean in North and South Carolina and Colorado and babysat for Sue in Houston, and Omaha. She and Ray traveled with friends to California and Florida for more golf. Of all the places she visited though, her favorite place to go she said was anywhere her grandchildren were!

After Ray died in 1986, Geri reinvented her work career in the shipping and receiving department at Jacobson’s. She loved engaging conversations and was not shy about sharing her opinions on sports or politics. A supporter of Hillary’s in the primary she believed taking a chance on a woman president a good thing because she would be stringent with the budget!

Fiercely independent, Geri remained busy, staying relevant in the community, and her church. She inspired her family and friends and will be remembered for the coaching and encouragement she gave to others. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Geri Kozak died on April 20, 2009. She is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Susan Rae and Thomas F. Knight, M.D. of Omaha, NE, and Jean Marie and James F. Vencl of Richmond, VA, four grandchildren: Aaron T. and Carrie Knight, Lake In The Hills, IL, Casey R. Knight, Omaha, NE, Seth R. Knight, Seattle, WA, and Caroline M. Vencl, Richmond, VA, four great-grandchildren: Kallie Rae and Braden Adams Knight and Connor Thomas and Aidan Curtis Carl Knight, sister-in-law, Mary Jo Owczarzak, Grand Rapids, and many nieces and nephews.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM on Thursday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 2230 Lake Michigan Dr. Friends may meet the family on Wednesday from 1-4 and 7-9 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Interment in Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Holy Spirit Scholarship Fund. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to archive a memory, photo or sign the guestbook before coming to the funeral home.