Pauline Sourek
May 16, 1927 — November 24, 2014
Pauline Sourek
Pauline Marie Sourek, age 87, of Ashley, MI passed away Monday November 24, 2014 at McClaren Hospital Greenlawn Campus surrounded by her loving family.
Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, MI on Saturday, November 29, 2014 at 11:00 A.M., with Mr. Thomas J. Bradley and Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck officiating. Burial will take place at Ford Cemetery Gratiot County, MI. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 28, 2014 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home.
Pauline was born in Toronto, Ohio on May 16, 1927, the daughter of John and Gizela (Lucovitch) Karaffa. Originally from Detroit Pauline moved to the Ithaca area and while attending the local dances, Pauline met and married the love of her life, Frank Sourek, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alma, Mi on October 28, 1950. Together they farmed in both Bannister and Ashley and also had Milk Cows. Pauline and Frank had four children; Annette, Francine, Janet and Frank. They built their dream house on the Bannister farm and Pauline enjoyed helping draw up the architectural details on the house. Pauline went back to school and graduated in 1973 from Ashley High School, Adult Education program. Graduating was a proud moment for her, as it was something she always wanted to accomplish. Frank passed away in 1979 and she moved to Ashley, making it her home for the rest of her life.
Pauline was dearly loved by her children and grandchildren. And while there were many qualities that they admired about her, one of the most was the strength that this small woman had. All she withstood and endured was a true testament to her character. Her family is and always will be a matriarchal society and anyone who knew them or was around them would know she was the sun that they all orbited. Nana (as she was known by one and all) was one classy and put together lady. She was still wearing heels with her pant suits, bright lipstick and jewlery to accent her look. Her hands, the softest you would have ever held, soothed childhood troubles and also dealt out swift justice to those who needed it. The boys always seemed to need it the most. Most people have never tasted love, our family was lucky enough to have it served up to us over and over again, from the kitchen of our favorite cook, and seconds generously pressed on us by way of take home containers. Our walk down the aisle included a hand tatted lace handkerchief that Nana produced as if by magic from a shuttle that seemed to fly on its own accord. The sound of her voice, her singing to all the babies and playing countless hand games of putzci; putzci is and will always be a comforting memory.
Nana had a hard life, but she always made the best of everything. She loved to laugh and was so very witty and funny. She loved to travel and enjoyed making several trips to the Czech Republic to visit her family's ancestral home. She was proud of her heritage and belonged to the Z.C.B.J. hall in Bannister MI. She was an excellent polka dancer and had a lovely voice that she often shared with the world. Every holiday was anticipated with great pleasure as she was an accomplished baker and shared her love of food with everyone. She will be deeply missed and our loss has left a hole nothing can fill. We continue the legacy she left us, the legacy of love. Because no one loved more, or was loved more than our Nana.
She is survived by 3 daughters; Annette and Neil Schulz of Ashley, MI, Francine and Jon Turner of Ashley, MI, Janet Sourek Bates of Ashley, MI, son Frank Sourek of Ashley, MI, 11 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, 2 brothers; Eugene and Rosemary Karaffa of Sterling Heights, MI, Carl Karaffa of MA, and sister in law Sandy Kurczewski of Sterling Heights, MI. She was predeceased by her parents, husband, and 2 brothers; Gary and Fred Kurczewski.
Memorials may be made to Z.C.B.J. Lodge # 225. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, Michigan.
Read Pauline Sourek's Obituary and Guestbook on smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, MI on Saturday, November 29, 2014 at 11:00 A.M., with Mr. Thomas J. Bradley and Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck officiating. Burial will take place at Ford Cemetery Gratiot County, MI. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 28, 2014 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home.
Pauline was born in Toronto, Ohio on May 16, 1927, the daughter of John and Gizela (Lucovitch) Karaffa. Originally from Detroit Pauline moved to the Ithaca area and while attending the local dances, Pauline met and married the love of her life, Frank Sourek, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alma, Mi on October 28, 1950. Together they farmed in both Bannister and Ashley and also had Milk Cows. Pauline and Frank had four children; Annette, Francine, Janet and Frank. They built their dream house on the Bannister farm and Pauline enjoyed helping draw up the architectural details on the house. Pauline went back to school and graduated in 1973 from Ashley High School, Adult Education program. Graduating was a proud moment for her, as it was something she always wanted to accomplish. Frank passed away in 1979 and she moved to Ashley, making it her home for the rest of her life.
Pauline was dearly loved by her children and grandchildren. And while there were many qualities that they admired about her, one of the most was the strength that this small woman had. All she withstood and endured was a true testament to her character. Her family is and always will be a matriarchal society and anyone who knew them or was around them would know she was the sun that they all orbited. Nana (as she was known by one and all) was one classy and put together lady. She was still wearing heels with her pant suits, bright lipstick and jewlery to accent her look. Her hands, the softest you would have ever held, soothed childhood troubles and also dealt out swift justice to those who needed it. The boys always seemed to need it the most. Most people have never tasted love, our family was lucky enough to have it served up to us over and over again, from the kitchen of our favorite cook, and seconds generously pressed on us by way of take home containers. Our walk down the aisle included a hand tatted lace handkerchief that Nana produced as if by magic from a shuttle that seemed to fly on its own accord. The sound of her voice, her singing to all the babies and playing countless hand games of putzci; putzci is and will always be a comforting memory.
Nana had a hard life, but she always made the best of everything. She loved to laugh and was so very witty and funny. She loved to travel and enjoyed making several trips to the Czech Republic to visit her family's ancestral home. She was proud of her heritage and belonged to the Z.C.B.J. hall in Bannister MI. She was an excellent polka dancer and had a lovely voice that she often shared with the world. Every holiday was anticipated with great pleasure as she was an accomplished baker and shared her love of food with everyone. She will be deeply missed and our loss has left a hole nothing can fill. We continue the legacy she left us, the legacy of love. Because no one loved more, or was loved more than our Nana.
She is survived by 3 daughters; Annette and Neil Schulz of Ashley, MI, Francine and Jon Turner of Ashley, MI, Janet Sourek Bates of Ashley, MI, son Frank Sourek of Ashley, MI, 11 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, 2 brothers; Eugene and Rosemary Karaffa of Sterling Heights, MI, Carl Karaffa of MA, and sister in law Sandy Kurczewski of Sterling Heights, MI. She was predeceased by her parents, husband, and 2 brothers; Gary and Fred Kurczewski.
Memorials may be made to Z.C.B.J. Lodge # 225. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, Michigan.
Read Pauline Sourek's Obituary and Guestbook on smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Pauline Sourek, please visit our flower store.
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