Mary L. Klarkowski
Mary L. Klarkowski, 69, passed away at her home on Friday, June 14, 2019, with her husband and sons near. She was born on September 11, 1949, in Marinette, Wisconsin to the late Kenneth and Lois (Petty) Powell. Mary and her husband of 48 years, Steven P. Klarkowski, were married on February 27, 1971, at Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Green Bay and began building an amazing life together, a life that included their two sons, Troy (Tucson, AZ) and Todd (Green Bay, WI).
In short, Mary was amazing. She was independent and strong, yet unassuming. A perfectionist and adventurer, she spoiled all of us. Mary knew how to have fun and make you laugh, not to mention get your attention (her whistle could be heard for miles and we knew to come right home). Mary loved to travel and always left space in her suitcase for some new clothes and memories. She was a woman of faith with little reminders of that placed throughout our house. Mary was never one to complain and always put others needs before her own. She taught us how to love, to listen, to be true to ourselves and to never waiver in our faith.
An amazing chef, we always came home to a homemade meal. She made sure we ate our vegetables, which included home grown carrots, broccoli and cauliflower, though we sometimes enlisted the help of our dog Molly (sorry Mom – brussel sprouts just weren’t our thing). Cakes, pies, torts and breads vanished as quickly as they came out of the oven. A natural athlete, she would hit us baseballs until her hands hurt. Mary loved clothes, even made some of her own, and you could never tell she fixed our pants after we ripped a hole in them diving on the playground to catch some ball. She had a green thumb as our yard is full of flowers, plants, trees and gardens that she nurtured over the years.
Professionally, for the past 25 years, Mary shared her love of real estate with others as she helped many families find a house to call their home. Never one to self-promote, she was widely respected by her peers and clients for her knowledge and professionalism which led to her helping others start two real estate companies in her career and the majority of her business to come from repeat clients and referrals. Her attention to detail and honesty was second to none.
Mary will be sadly missed by Steven and her two sons, Troy (Kristin) and Todd; and her grandchildren: Breeanna Klarkowski (Green Bay), Annaliese and Everett Klarkowski (Tucson, AZ). She is further survived by her sisters Laura (James “Jim”) Cairns and Sheila Johnson.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Kenny Powell, Billy Powell and Jimmy Powell and her sister, Candace Menard.
Family and friends may call at Proko-Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E. Mason Street, Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Thursday, June 20, 2019, from 4:00 p.m. until the time of the parish wake service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue Friday, June 21, 2019, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 2040 Hillside Dr., Green Bay, WI, from 9:30 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. with the Father Mark VanderSteeg officiating. Entombment will be in the Allouez Chapel Mausoleum. Online condolences may be expressed at www.prokowall.com
Her family extends their sincere gratitude to the cancer teams at Aurora, UW Madison Carbone Center, and Bellin Hospital and Unity Hospice for their efforts in fighting this horrible disease.