Verna (Blaskowski) Urbanski

WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Verna (Blaskowski) Urbanski, 88, a long-time resident of Wakefield, passed away Monday morning, Jan. 29, 2018.

Verna was born on Dec. 26, 1929, in Wakefield, a daughter of Frank and Pearl (Maciejewski) Blaskowski. She graduated from Wakefield High School.

On June 18, 1949, Verna was united in marriage to Kazmirz "Charlie" Urbanski. They shared more than 66 wonderful years together and were blessed with five children. They made their home in Detroit for 23 years and in the early 1970s moved back to Wakefield.

Verna was a devout Catholic. She was a faithful member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wakefield and a supporting member of the Immaculate Conception Women's Guild.

Throughout her life, she was an accomplished homemaker who took great pride in her cooking and baking. Verna was well known for her homemade kielbasa, pasty and baked goods recipes that she shared with family and friends. Everyone who tasted her jams and jellies or dill and bread and butter pickles said that it was the best they ever tasted because it was made with love.

Verna worked as a matron at the Gogebic County Sheriff's Department for several years.

She enjoyed playing Smear at the Crossing Inn in Wakefield, and her hobbies included reading and solving crossword puzzles.

Verna is survived by three sons, Martin (Thida), Melbourne, Fla., Michael (Myra), Phoenix, Ariz., and William, Whitmore Lake; two daughters, Anita Greenough, Wakefield, and Sandra (Kevin) Thompson, Chesapeake, Va .; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a sister, Eleanor (Peter) Kurtenbach, Budd Lake, N.J .; her brother-in-law, Harry (Mary "Bombo") Urbanski, Kingsford; her sister-in-law, Shirley Urbanski, Ironwood; and numerous dear nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Charlie, on Sept. 26, 2015; five brothers, Walter, in infancy, Edward, John, Chester and Joseph Blaskowski; three sisters, Stella (Ray) Budgick, Mary (Mike) Manners and Helen (Elmer) Weidner; and other loving relatives.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Feb. 2, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with the Rev. Dominic Agyapong, celebrant. Also in attendance will be the Immaculate Conception Women's Guild Honor Guard.

Luncheon will be served at the church hall immediately following the Mass.

Rite of Committal and interment will take place at Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield, in the spring.

Expressions of affection in a charitable contribution in Verna's memory are suggested in lieu of flowers for Masses at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 407 Ascherman St., Wakefield, MI 49968.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.