Newport News

Louise Kathryn Kawecki, 101, passed away on January 3, 2024 with her family holding her hands.  She was born to Johanna and Henry Kremer in Verendrye, ND, and lost her mother when she was a toddler. She was raised in ND, and spent joyful summers on her grandparents' farm in Minnesota. At 7 years old, she was a shepherd for her father's sheep; she said she would sit and read, lose track of time, and look up to see the sheep were gone! Her faithful dog Fido would round them up. Louise attended Falsen School until 9th grade, when it was necessary to move to the neighboring town of Velva to complete her education. She earned room and board by being a mother's helper for the Welo family who was so kind to her.  Her sister Marguerite taught her to read by age 4,  and she left home at 16 years old to attend the College of St Benedict in Minnesota. She worked hard to pay for her education, and would say "I'd think twice before spending a nickel on a coke!" She received a BA degree in Education and Latin. She lovingly taught school in Colorado, Hawaii, and Michigan. Louise moved to Detroit where she enrolled at Wayne State University to earn a Masters of Education with a concentration in Library Science. Mom started work at Roosevelt High School in East Detroit. In 1963 she was employed by the Hazel Park School System as Administrator of Cataloging and retired in 1983. She lived with her son Luke in Farmington Hills, where he took loving care of her. She moved to Newport News in 2019 to be close to family.

She met Eugene on a blind date.  Louise said she liked his dark flashing eyes and intelligent conversation, and they were married for 41 years until his death. Louise and Eugene built a home and raised their family in Franklin Village, MI.  She was devoted to her family and very busy!  Delicious meals, Boy Scout and Camp Fire Girl leader; she never missed a school function or piano recital. She sewed beautiful smocked dresses for the girls, clothes for the boys and repeatedly re-upholstered her furniture. She was a pioneer in recycling; in the 70's she would load the car with recyclables and the kids and drive 10 miles to the nearest collection bin. She developed Franklin Library from nothing, bringing boxes of books and cataloging them at home. She and Eugene camped with us in Leelanau; on the beach in tents and cooking over open campfires. In later years she built a cottage there and hosted many family members and friends! These memories are precious to us all.

Mom was a tower; her strength and independence were inspiring. Hard work was easy to her; if we got stuck on something she would say "Just get started!" Her charism was taking care of others. She believed in caring for God's children from conception to death, and her life exemplified this.  Despite losing her mother, living through the Great Depression, and three wars she said "I'm glad that I was born when I was."

Louise was preceded in death by her husband , Eugene Kawecki, son-in-law Andrew Gerechka,  and siblings Marguerite Ladney, Harold Kremer and Mary Healy.   She is survived by her children, David M. Kawecki (Jan), Thomas G. Kawecki (Janelle), Kathryn L. Gerechka, Mary Beth Bochel (Jim)  and Luke W. Kawecki;  grandchildren Joel, Stephen, Benjamin, Daniel, David, Anna, Alex, James and Hannah,  and two great-grandchildren (Theo and Charli).  We are grateful to her caregiver Helena Watson for her dedication to providing mom with excellent and loving care.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am, Friday, January 12, 2024, at St. Jerome Catholic Church, 116 Denbigh Blvd, in Newport News, by Rev. George Prado.  Inurnment will follow in Franklin, MI in the Spring. In honor of her dedication to life, you may make donations to Saint Gianna and Pietro Molla Maternity Home in North Dakota. Email:  sgpmollahome@outlook.com.

Arrangements are by Berceuse Funeral and Cremation Traditions in Hampton, 757-825-8070.