Mrs. Celia Firanek

Mrs. Celia Ann Firanek, 94, of La Porte, Indiana, died Monday, August 20, 2012 at LaPorte Hospital. She was born February 26, 1918 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Joseph Jurka and Mary Ann (Plawecki) Jurka. Celia worked 20 years for American Home Foods, retiring in 1982. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the St. Joseph Catholic Church Rosary Society. Celia enjoyed baking and decorating wedding cakes and special occasion cakes for friends, family and co-workers. She and Harry enjoyed making crafts and traveling to craft shows. She leaves many cherished memories of holidays at grandma's house. She was married on August 17, 1940 in Chicago, Illinois to Henry J. Kowalski, who preceded her on September 13, 1972. She re-married on January 28, 1984, in LaPorte, IN, to Harry Firanek who preceded in death June 4, 2004. She is survived by her 3 daughters - Diane Williams, Dorothy Murray, Judith (Rick) Hammons all of La Porte, IN; son - Raymond (Linda) Kowalski of Rolling Prairie, IN; 3 step-daughters - Joyce (Vince) Bondzis of Michigan City, IN, Shirley (Eldon) Hardesty, Kathy Craft of LaSalle, IL; 3 step-sons - Danny (Milvena) Firanek of Union Mills, IN, Kenneth (Susan) Firanek of Michigan City, IN, David Firanek of Reno, NV; step son-in-law - William Holtkamp of Michigan City, IN, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who adored their grandmother. Celia was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Harry Firanek and Henry J. Kowalski, step-daughter, Patricia Holtkamp, and 3 grandsons, Michael Demchak, Mark Demchak, and Allen Firanek. Arrangements are being handled by Haverstock Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 602 Maple Ave., LaPorte, IN where the family will receive friends Wednesday, August 22, 2012 from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm & Thursday, August 23, 2012 from 9:00 am - 9:45 am. A prayer service will be held at 6:30 pm Wednesday at the funeral home. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Thursday August 23, 2012 at 10:00 am with Rev. Eduardo Malagon officiating. Interment will follow at the St. Joseph Cemetery, LaPorte, Indiana. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude's Children's Hospital 501 St. Jude Pl. Memphis, TN 38105. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mrs. Celia A. Firanek please visit our Sympathy Store.