Samantha Elin Kruszka, 80 of Sherwood passed away peacefully Sunday, August 28, 2016 at Bronson at Home Hospice in Battle Creek.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 AM, Thursday, September 1, 2016 at St. Mary of Assumption Church in Bronson with Rev. Fr. Richard Fritz officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 31, 2016 from 5:00- 8:00 PM at Dutcher Funeral Home in Bronson with a Rosary being recited at 7:00 PM. A private interment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery on a later date.
Samantha was born August 8, 1936 in Peru, Indiana. She was the daughter of Frank and Isabel (Cloud) DeVor. After graduation from high school, she spent two years in college. Once finished with college, she took a job with Upjohn in Kalamazoo before becoming the secretary/assistant to the Dean of the Women’s College at Western Michigan University, a job she held for many years before leaving to focus on raising her family. On February 9, 1957 she married the love of her life Frank Kruszka in Kalamazoo.
Samantha was a very active lady. She was a long-time member of the Catholic Church. Samantha served as a sports writer and then as assistant editor of the Bronson Journal for several years. She volunteered with many local organizations over the years. During high school she enjoyed acting in plays, and then also helping instruct others in theatre. Samantha was also active behind the scenes in the Fraternal Order of Police working as a quasi-secretary in Battle Creek. Her true joy in life was being a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother. Samantha enjoyed attending her children’s and then grandchildren’s activities. She will be remembered as a loving, giving, and generous woman. She will be missed by many.
Mrs. Kruszka is survived by her husband of 59 years, Frank Kruszka of Sherwood; her children Mike Kruszka, Ken (Vicky) Kruszka all of Sherwood, Dave (Ericka) Kruszka of Colon, and Becky Kruszka of Sturgis; her grandchildren Frank (Amber) Kruszka, Jamie (Sarah Davis) Kruszka, Alecia (Kurtis Schwartz) Kruszka, Jacob (Lyndsey) Kruszka, Gabriel Kruszka and Whitney German; her great grandchildren Alice, Hope, and Flynn Kruszka and Ava Weinberg; and loved one’s Dalton Williams and his father Charles Williams. She was preceded in death by her parents and her great grandson Layne.
Memorials may be directed to Bronson at Home Hospice. www.dutcherfh.com