Joanne Theresa Kurapka, was born May 2, 1935 in Youngstown, Ohio to Joseph and Mary (Olenik) Hospodar. She passed peacefully in her sleep May 22, 2018. Joanne accepted Christ at an early age, was a devout Catholic, and parishioner of St. Matthew’s Cathedral.
She graduated from St. Elizabeth Medical Center School of Nursing, Youngstown, OH in 1956. She then began her nursing career as a surgical nurse. In 1963, obstetrics, specifically labor and delivery, became her passion.
She began working for Memorial Hospital of South Bend in 1971 and St. Joseph’s birthing center in Mishawaka, IN. In 1990 her love of children led her to become a school nurse with the South Bend Community School Corporation. Combining her love for nursing and her Catholic faith, Joanne shared her talents as a staff nurse with the retired nuns at Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration before retiring at the age of 75.
Joanne joined in holy matrimony with James G. Kurapka in Youngstown, OH on March 2, 1957. They remained married for 37 years, only shortened by James’ untimely death. During this union, four children were born.
She is preceded in death by her husband James G. Kurapka Sr. December 19, 1994 and son James G. Kurapka, Jr. November 19, 2010 Joanne will be forever remembered by her sisters: Jane (Richard) Cook, Appleton WI, and Elaine (Richard) Archer, Ormond Beach FL. Nephews, Jeff (Anita) Cook, Greg (Kristie) Cook, Ben (Kelly) Cook, and niece Elisa (Keith) Ahrens, beloved cousin Barbara Ann Urban, and numerous special friends. Joanne found joy in her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, her friends and her unwavering belief in prayer; throughout her last days she steadily held her rosary.
Joanne is survived by her daughters; Karen (Jimmie) Lawson, Valparaiso, IN; Linda (Roger) Mochel, South Bend, IN; and Janet (Robert) McKinley, Beavercreek, OH; 19 grandchildren, SFC Eric Lawson, US Army West Point, NY; Major Stephen, (Sarah Medley) Lawson, US Army, Monterey, CA; Katherine (Sean) Guy, Valparaiso, IN; Sarah Lawson, Round Rock, TX; Alex Lawson, Valparaiso, IN; Michael (Kari) Mochel, Gilbert, AZ; Elizabeth (Robert) Klatt, Alcoa, TN; Caroline (Seth) Ramser, Indianapolis, IN; Matthew Mochel, Mesa, AZ; Molly, Patrick, Christopher, Abby, Margaret, and Joseph Mochel, South Bend, IN; Meghan, Andrew, Maura, and Samuel McKinley, Beavercreek, OH; and her six great-grandchildren Beau and Hank Klatt, Ruby and Noah Ramser, Gabriel Mochel, and Caelan Lawson. Visitation will be at Palmer Funeral Home – Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St., South Bend, IN 4-8pm Friday, May 25, 2018 with a Rosary at 7pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Matthew Cathedral, South Bend, IN, Saturday, May 26, 2018 at 1pm.
Entombment will follow on Tuesday May 29 next to her beloved Jim at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger, IN. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. The family wishes to thank the kind and compassionate care of Memorial Hospital 9 south staff.
Dr. Michelle Thompson, Dr. Stephanie Waldrop, Dr. Nicholas Kerr, Michael White NP, and the staff of the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care.
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