Jean Ann (Grischke) Kulka, 67 of Auburn, passed away at her home with loving family by her side on March 20, 2017. She was was born on August 8th 1949 in Bay City Michigan to Leslie J Grischke and the late Ernestine A Grischke. She belonged to St Gabriel’s parish of Auburn and was a devoted Catholic and a woman of great and unwavering faith even in the throes of her fierce battle with pancreatic cancer. She is survived by her husband Edwin S. Kulka Jr., her son David A. Witbrodt, her daughter Courtney L. Inman (Kulka), a son in law to be Steven B. Wixson, and her beloved grandchildren Gabriel and Ava. Also surviving are her father Leslie J Grischke her brothers Mike (Jane)Grischke, Steve Grischke, Bruce Grischke, Leslie Grischke, and Jon (Vivian) Grischke and her sister Mary Smith (Mike), her mother in law Eleanor Kulka, brothers in law Michael (Denise) Kulka, David Talaga, Eugene (Lori) Talaga, sisters in law Maureen Kulka, Connie (Casimer) Gross, Sandra (Gregory) Somers, Peggy Tucker, Sharon (C. Michael) Clement, Catherine (Chris) Wool, Susan (David) Talaga-Utt,and many dear nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother Ernestine A. Grischke her father in law Edwin S. Kulka Sr. and her brothers in law Ricky J. Kulka and Timothy G. Talaga. Jean graduated from TL Handy high school in 1967.
She went on to work for the Bay City School Board and later the Midland hospital where she touched many lives and made many cherished friends. She was an avid reader and lover of books, a trait which she imparted to both of her children and to her grandchildren. Jean was a loving, kind and generous woman all of her life and a caretaker to many. She selflessly put others needs before her own and found the deepest joy in looking after those in need whatever the circumstance. She had many close lifelong friends and neighbors whom she considered to be her extended family. She was known as Nana Jeannie to so many children over the years and a second mother to so many more. She loved and cared, prayed and worried after each them as if they were her own. She will be profoundly missed by all who knew and loved her.
The funeral liturgy will take place 11:00 a.m. Thursday March 23, 2017 at St. Gabriel Parish (West Campus) Rev. Fr. Thomas E. Sutton will officiate with burial to follow in St. Anthony Cemetery (Fisherville). Jean’s family will receive friends at the Auburn Chapel of the Cunningham-Taylor Funeral Homes, Inc. on Wednesday from 2:00-8:00 p.m. On Thursday morning Jean will lie in state at the church from 10:00 a.m. until time of mass. Those planning
an expression of sympathy, envelopes for Pancreatic Cancer Action Network will be available.
