Rose Mary (Radke) Kowalski

Rose Mary Kowalski, 97 of Loup City, NE passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at Rose Lane Home in Loup City surrounded by her family. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at St. Josaphat’s Catholic Church in Loup City. Father Richard Piontkowski will Celebrate the Mass. Burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery in Loup City. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at St. Josaphat’s Catholic Church with a Sodality Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to St. Josaphat’s Catholic Church, Friends of Paplin, Loup City Rescue Squad or donor’s choice. The service will be livestreamed. The direct link is http://facebook.com/higgins.funeral.home.loup.city/

Rose Mary was born December 14, 1926, at Ashton to Cashmer and Nellie (Budzinski) Radke. She grew up on a farm northwest of Loup City and attended rural school district 77 through the 8th grade. After moving to Loup City in 1973, Rose Mary received her GED.

She married Harry Kowalski on June 4, 1946. They farmed on different farms in Sherman and Custer County until moving to town in 1973. Eight children were born to this union. Harry died on January 12, 1979.

She married Arnold Grudzinski on May 30, 1981.

Throughout her life Rose Mary worked as a waitress and cook in different restaurants, the Cornhusker Ammunition Plant, at Ray’s Market, and Joe’s Market in Loup City for 28 years. She was a member of St. Josaphat’s Catholic Church, Rosary Sodality, CCW, Servants of Mary Associates, Loup City American Legion Auxiliary, Health Care Auxiliary, and the Lean Dream Lassie’s Club.

Rose Mary enjoyed canning, quilting, bingo, playing cards, family get-togethers, and had a tremendous work ethic that she instilled in all her children. She was not a complainer and was a great friend to all who knew her.

She is survived by a daughter, Rose Ann Kowalski of Loup City, NE; sons and daughters-in-law, Jerry and Patti Kowalski of Loup City, NE; Al and Roberta Kowalski of Ashton, NE; Ed and George Ann Kowalski of Fountain, CO; Joe and Patty Kowalski of Loup City, NE; Tom and Susan Kowalski of Scotia, NE; and Marty and Nancy Kowalski of Atlanta, GA; 16 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; 7 step-great grandchildren; and one sister-in-law, JoAnn Radke of Brentwood, CA., and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry, one son, Michael, twin infant grandsons: her parents, Cash and Nellie Radke, brothers, Joe, Ted, Richard, and Paul Radke and two sisters, Marie Bogacz and Irene Darnall, and one step-great grandson, Cooper Jarzynka.