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Dorothy Kuras

April 19, 1919 - April 2, 2016
Kalamazoo, MI

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Visitation

Wednesday, April 6, 2016
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM EDT
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900

Food and drinks will be served during the visitation

Driving Directions

Service

Thursday, April 7, 2016
10:00 AM EDT
St. Mary's Catholic Church
939 Charlotte Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49048
Web Site

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

St Mary's Catholic Church
939 Charlotte Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49048
Web Site

Loaves and Fishes
901 Portage St
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times plenty and times of want, Dorothy Kuras lived a life of purpose spent with the ones she treasured. She was a lifelong resident of the community she loved, and she spread her warmth to all who were near. A loving and devoted wife, Dorothy cherished her family and loved doing what she could for her family and friends. Life was not always easy for her, but she faced whatever came her way with a quiet strength and a graceful courage that were such an inspiration to others. Deeply loved, Dorothy will be forever missed.

Nearly a century has passed since our nation was deeply entrenched in WWI and faced the trials of unsafe working conditions, a middle class that was growing increasingly weary as the days passed, and the unprecedented flu pandemic that claimed the lives of 202 people each day during its peak. Amidst these trials there was a time of great celebration in the lives of Charles and Helen (Holton) Kinnane as they welcomed the healthy baby girl they named Dorothy on April 19, 1919, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was one of seven children in her family as she was raised alongside her sisters, Mary Helen, Eleanor, and Irene, and her brothers, Thomas, Louis, and Robert.

In many ways, Dorothy was a typical young girl of her generation. Her parents were hardworking farmers who had a huge farm outside of town, which instilled within Dorothy a strong work ethic that would be her constant companion. She attended local schools and graduated from high school in 1937.

New and exciting changes were in store for Dorothy when she met the man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Stanley Kuras, and it wasn’t long after meeting that they found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to establish a life together, Dorothy and Stan were married on June 26, 1940. She and her husband were true companions, and although they never had any children of their own Dorothy deeply loved her nieces and nephews. She and her nephew, Steve, were very close and shared a special relationship. In 1988 Dorothy was deeply saddened with the death of her beloved Stanley. Although it was a difficult time for her, she drew strength from both her faith and the love of her family. Dorothy’s special nephew Steve and his wife, Chris, helped care for her after Stan’s death.

Always one who was willing to work hard, Dorothy built a successful career at Gibson, Inc. During her 40 year career there, she moved up the ranks to eventually becoming the head of the payroll department. Dorothy was genuinely liked there, and the people there became like a second family to her. She enjoyed getting to know so many people and especially liked handing out the paychecks to the employees. It truly broke Dorothy’s heart when the company moved out of state.

Throughout the majority of her adult years, Dorothy lived in the same house on Ida Street. She and Stan purchased it when they got married. Their house was located in a strong Kalamazoo neighborhood and was anchored by the St. Mary’s Catholic Church and school. Dorothy was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church as well. Over the years, her faith was a cornerstone in her life. After experiencing a fall later in life, Dorothy moved out of her house and lived with her sister-in-law, Etta Kuras, for a few years. From there she moved to the Upjohn Nursing Home where she spent the last three years of her life. Although she deeply missed her church family during this time, she remained faithful in her giving.

Even in her time away from work, Dorothy was one to keep busy as she was a woman of many interests. She loved traveling, especially to Germany several times. While there Dorothy always brought home some Hummels, and she had quite an extensive collection of them. Later in life she took several bus trips with other seniors all around the United States. Closer to home Dorothy enjoyed going to the Barn Theatre in Augusta and was an avid reader who also regularly watched the news.

Dorothy Kuras was a kindhearted, generous, and thoughtful woman who was a blessing in the lives of all who were near. She was greatly successful and always well dressed, but what made her truly beautiful was the love she had for the Lord she served. Dorothy worked hard, but she made the time to enjoy life along the way, and she never let life get the best of her. Although she will be deeply missed, she leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that her loved ones will forever cherish.

Dorothy Kuras, of Kalamazoo, died on Saturday, April 2, 2016. Dorothy is survived by several nieces and nephews. Dorothy was preceded in death by three sisters: Mary Helen Kinnane, Eleanor Papierz, and Irene Owel and three brothers: Thomas, Louis, and Robert Kinnane. Visit with Dorothy’s family and friends on Wednesday from 4-6 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (375-2900). A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 939 Charlotte Ave. Please visit Dorothy’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a favorite memory or photo and sign her guestbook. Donations may be made to St Mary’s Church or Loaves and Fishes.

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