Phyllis Kukowski

Phyllis A. Kukowski, age 78, of Winona, passed away on Sunday, August 5, 2018, at the Roger Metz Manor.

She was born on February 6, 1940, in Winona, to Harry and Marcella (Lambert) Kowalczyk.  She married Thomas J. “Skunny” Kukowski, on May 28, 1960, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Winona.

In her earlier years, Phyllis was a national champion baton twirler.  She was an active volunteer at the St. Vincent de Paul Store in Winona, and also with Cotter High School, where she was the recipient of Cotter’s St. Joseph Award.  She was a member of the Westfield Golf Club, its women’s league, and was named the Westfield Women’s Golf Champion.  She was also a member of the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka, where she was active with the quilters, and she was employed with the Watkowski Funeral Home for many years.

Phyllis’ greatest joy in life was taking care of her family, and she was a devoted homemaker and stay-at-home mom who loved to cook and sew.  She will be deeply missed by all those who loved her.

Phyllis is lovingly survived by her husband, Tom; daughters: Terri (Greg) Evans, Sue (Chuck) Sikkink, Tina (Eric) Kerska, Barbara (Stephen) Sarvi, Traci (Brian) Murphy, and Kathie Jo (Jason) Burns; 15 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; brother: James (Pam) Kowalczyk; sister: Harriet (Mark) Kennedy; sisters-in-law: Jan Kowalczyk, Sr. Daniel Marie, SSND, and Carol (Donald) Valentine; brother-in-law: Philip Pilarski; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, one sister, and a grandson.

The Recitation of the Most Holy Rosary, led by the St. Stanislaus Quilters, will be held at 3 PM on Wednesday, August 8, 2018, at the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home, with visitation following the Rosary until 7 PM.  Visitation will also be held from 9:30 AM until 10:45 AM on Thursday, August 9, 2018, at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM.  The Reverend Monsignor Thomas J. Hargesheimer will officiate. Phyllis will be laid to rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Phyllis’ sons-in-law.

The family wishes to thank all the “angels” at Roger Metz Manor for the wonderful care that was given to mom.  A memorial is being arranged to benefit Roger Metz Manor, or memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Online condolences or memories may be left at www.watkowski-mulyck.com