Klara Chwastek

Klara Chwastek 84 of Midland, died peacefully in her sleep at the home of her daughter and son-in-law in Midland.

Funeral Services will be held at the Smith Family Funeral Home, St. Louis Chapel on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 1 p.m. The Rev. Natalia Walsh will officiate. Burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery in Alma. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Klara was born in Russia on March 4, 1924, the daughter of Stefan and Tatianna (Orlova) Marchenko. She was taken to Germany as forced labor at the age of nineteen. Klara and Antoni Chwastek met in Germany while they were both in Nazi labor camps. They were married in Germany on March 4, 1946. Klara, Antoni and their son Eugene came to the United States sailing from Germany in 1951 through Catholic Relief Services. She resided in Alma for 46 years. She attended night classes to receive her citizenship and diploma in 1970. She also attended the University of Harkov in the Ukraine for a physical education degree. In 1997, Klara and her husband moved to Milford to live with their son Tony and his family. After living with Tony for about four years, they moved to Midland to live with Natalia and her family in 2001. Klara loved the tie she spent with her daughter the last eight years.

Klara served the American Red Cross of Gratiot County for over 30 years. She worked as a life guard, swimming instructor and pool supervisor for Alma Public Schools and Alma College. She was the Gratiot County water safety instructor trainer for a number of years. Klara had the reputation of practically teaching the whole city of Alma how to swim.
Klara was a member of the Living Word International Church of Midland, with Pastor Dr. Mark T. Barclay. She loved her church, pastor, the people, but most all she loved her lord and savior, Jesus the Christ. Klara was born again in 1973 and was a wonderful witness of the Gospel and of the love of God.

She is survived by her son Antoni Chwastek of China; daughter-in-law Suzanne Chwastek of Plymouth, daughter Natalia and Warren Walsh of Midland, son Peter and Portia Chwastek of Edmore, and grandchildren Oscar Chwastek, Theresa Albrecht, Nikoli Chwastek, Sasha Chwastek, Peter Chwastek and Jennifer Chwastek. She is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren. Klara was predeceased by her husband Antoni in 2003 and son Eugene in 1998.

Memorials may be made to the donor's choice. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, 117 N. East Street, St. Louis, Michigan.

Read Klara Chwastek's Obituary and Guestbook on smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.