Ethel Kocourek

Kocourek, Ethel H.

Ethel H. Kocourek, age 84, a Manitowoc resident, died peacefully Friday evening, March 14, 2014 at Felician Village, Manitowoc.

Ethel was born on October 13, 1929 in Manitowoc, daughter of the late John F. and Laura (Rusch) Bubolz. She graduated from Reedsville High School with the class of 1949. On May 20, 1950 she married Ralph R. Kocourek in Manitowoc. He preceded her in death on November 24, 1995. Together with her husband Ralph they owned and operated the Western Frontier and the New Frontier Taverns in Manitowoc. For many years Ethel volunteered at St. Vincent DePaul. She was a member of the Manitowoc Eagles Aerie #706. Ethel opened her home to her five foreign exchange students: Mila, Josee, Claudia, Tally and Wina. Most important to her was spending time with her family and friends. Ethel was a longtime member of St. Francis of Assisi. She loved dogs, cats, birds and her flower gardens. Ethel was an avid Packers and Brewers fan.

She is survived by her children: Faye and Gary Lensmire, Manitowoc, Dale and Deborah Kocourek, Manitowoc, Lynn and Dennis Behnke, Brillion, Jane and Albert Dymond, Fremont, CA, Keith Kocourek, Wausau, and Lori St.Cyr and Dan Obremski, Manitowoc; 11 grandchildren: Brenda (James) Wall, Lisa (Shawn) Willey, Adam Lensmire (special friend Tanya Skrzypachak), Brandon Kerr, Gabriel Kerr, Lisa Kerr, Lucas (Lindsey) Behnke, Laura (Fred) Busse, Alycia Dymond (special friend Phil Genera), Jesse Dymond (special friend Jordyn Frick), Paige Kocourek and Nik (Amber) Remaker. 21 great grandchildren; one sister-in-law: Betty Ebert, Manitowoc, one brother-in-law: Elroy Kocourek, Manitowoc. She is further survived by her special friends: John Franzen, Nancy and George Gosz and Valarie and Bob Buxbaum, all of Manitowoc, Caeser and Norma Salazar, TX, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was also preceded in death by her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Leonard and Evelyn Kocourek, Marie and Joseph Anhalt, Harold and LaVerne Kocourek, John and Arlene Kocourek, Clarence and Mildred Kocourek, Roman and Peggy Kocourek, Lester and Dorothy Kocourek, Rosemary and Norbert Meidl, Jerome Ebert and Sally and Charles Vondrachek.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 AM on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at St. Francis of Assisi on Grand - 1416 Grand Avenue. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be Rev. David Beaudry, with entombment to follow at Calvary Mausoleum, Manitowoc .

The family will greet relatives and friends on Monday evening (TONIGHT), March 17, 2014 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Pfeffer Funeral Home, Manitowoc. A prayer service will conclude the visitation at 7:00 PM led by Deacon Alan Boeldt. The visitation will continue on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at St. Francis of Assisi on Grand from 9:30 AM until 11:15 AM.

Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.pfefferfuneralhome.com

The Pfeffer Funeral Home, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of the Court and Next Step units of Felician Village. The family would also like to extend a special thank you to Fr. Gerald Foley, Sr. M. Michaeleen Pardowsky and HomeCare Hospice for their care and compassion shown towards Ethel and her family.

Ethel was a great mom, a loving grandma, and a proud great grandma. She would watch, listen and had a special way of loving her family.

Mom, we will love and miss you forever!