Margaret (Margie) Josephine Kostechka, age 94, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 11, 2022. She was born in Cooperstown, Wisconsin, on March 19, 1928 to her loving parents Loretta (Halada) and Alvin Kronforst. She spent a wonderful childhood with her siblings Janet (Eugene) Kempen and Alvin Kronforst Jr. (Dolores), who both preceded her in death. Margie graduated from Mishicot High School with the class of 1946 and attended Cosmetology School in Green Bay. She worked as a beautician for a few years before devoting herself to being a full-time Mom. Margie married Leo Kostechka in 1947, and together they raised their family in Mishicot, a community they loved and were proud to call home. Leo preceded her in death in 2003. Margie was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, where she served on the Altar Society and funeral choir. She was involved with the VFW Auxillary, Manitowoc County Homemakers, and the Two Rivers Senior Center. There are many words you could use to describe our Mom: wonderful cook, skilled kolache and horn maker, master gardener, confident card shark (especially when playing blackjack and sheepshead), expert worrier, competent swimmer, decent bowler, prayer warrior, awful joke-teller, and all-around good person. However, the two phrases that most immediately come to our minds when we think of her are loving Mom and selfless caregiver. Our family will always be grateful for how she compassionately cared for Dad during his long struggle with Parkinson's and how she was our brother Joe's most loyal companion and fiercest advocate throughout his life. She handled life's challenges with quiet strength, grace, and dignity. The lessons she taught us were never through words but through the way she treated others, and we feel so blessed to have had her influence and love in our lives. We will miss Mom greatly, but our hearts are rejoicing knowing she is finally reunited with Dad and Joe. We are also hoping that now she will finally sit down.

Margie is survived by four children: Gregg (Patty) Kostechka of Manitowoc, Steven (Ginny) Kostechka of Plainfield, IL, Marsha (Larry) Herman of Monona, WI, and Jean (Rob) Yakoubek of Two Rivers; nine grandchildren: Carrie McGoldrick, Caleb (Codie) Kostechka, Casey (Amanda) Kostechka, Claire (Cody) Moriearty, Katie (Joseph) Ryan, Claire (Matt) Scroggins, Tim Herman, Ryne (Kelsey) Yakoubek, Cal Yakoubek; and twelve great-grandchildren: Tristan, Harper, Trey, Nico, Mabel, Isla, Jett, Ava, Bennett, Wally, Coretta, and Piper. She is further survived by three sisters-in-law: Florence Kirt, Marcie Lemberger, and Marie Domek; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, her husband, and her siblings, she was also preceded in death by one son, Joe Kostechka; and several other brothers-in-law & sisters-in-law. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 15, 2022 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Mishicot. Fr. Christian Raj will preside at the Mass of Christian Burial, with entombment in Knollwood Chapel Mausoleum, Hwy. 310, Manitowoc. The Mass of Christian Burial will be live-streamed on the parishes YouTube Channel: St Anne and Holy Cross Catholic Parishes beginning at 10:45 a.m. The family will greet relatives and friends at Holy Cross Catholic Church Saturday morning after 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. There will be no Friday evening visitation. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.dejamartin.com. Memorials may be made to Homecare Health Services & Hospice of Manitowoc. The Lambert-Eckert Funeral Home of Mishicot is assisting the Kostechka family with funeral arrangements. The family would like to thank the staff at St. Mary's at Felician Village and the entire hospice team, especially Danielle and Nikki for their compassionate care.

Posted online on October 12, 2022

Published in Herald Times Reporter