Obit for KUZMA, Joan D. (b.1927 d.2007) St. Louis Co., MN

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Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Ely Echo

  Submitted: February 2007

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Joan D. Downey Kuzma, 79, dies



  Joan D. Downey Kuzma, 79, died Sunday, February 4, 2007 with her children 

at her side. Having survived a bout with lung cancer 34 years ago, Joan 

bravely faced this second round of cancer with grace. She used this gift 

of time to continue teaching her children about hope, love and faith. 

  Joan was born on Aug. 2, 1927 in Minneapolis and graduated from Marshall 

High School. Joan worked at the Star Tribune from 1943-1959. She began 

her career as a part-time employee working the switchboard. She quickly 

moved to the research department, known in the news business as "the 

morgue," the final resting place of old newspapers and photos. As a 

research librarian, she amassed a treasure trove of material still used 

by the paper today. 

  In 1954 she married Edwin Kuzma, with whom she shared 51 eventful years. 

These past few years Joan considered herself a summer resident of Ely 

enjoying many glorious times at the old family cabin situated on Farm 

Lake. Two of Joan's other children have places close by and weekends 

often became family time. 

  Joan was a homemaker and wonderful mother. It was during her years in 

scouting where she earned the name "MotherGoose." Joan was also active 

with Brother Depaul and the House of Charity. 

  Joan returned to work in 1976 at North Memorial Hospital, where she 

landed her dream job in the pediatrics department as the play therapist. 

She was known and loved as Mother Goose for the next 17 years, and she 

and Harvey the Rabbit tickled funny bones and touched many hearts. She 

truly enjoyed working with children. Many of her dearest friends were the 

nurses and colleagues with whom she worked - some of whom cared for her 

most recently in what she considered her second home, NMMC. 

  Joan was a long time member of Sacred Heart Church in Robbinsdale and 

volunteered there in many capacities. She loved to help others in any way 

she could and did so with great joy, love, and a smile. Most recently, 

Joan resided at Augustana apartments where she continued to stay active. 

  Joan is survived by her four children: Mark (Wendy), Michael (Sandra), 

Matthew (Joyce), Evelyn (Shal) Jain; 10 grandchildren: Rachel, Michelle, 

James, Amy, Tony, Nicole, Malorie, Jennifer, Nikhil and Lauren; three 

great-grandchildren: Emily, Morgan and Olivia; sister-in-law Gloria 

Noren; Canadian cousins Muriel Westman and Clementine Abbott; cousins 

Ralph and Liz Sershen, Germaine Vertnik and Fern Vertnik, niece Kathy 

Sayler; many other nieces, nephews, kissin' cousins and dear friends. 

  A special thanks to the wonderful staff at NMMC and North Memorial 

Residential Hospice for the exceptional care given to our mother. 

  Mass of Christian Burial was held at Sacred Heart Church in Robbinsdale, 

MN followed by a private interment at Gethsemane Cemetery in New Hope, 

MN. Memorials preferred to Simpson Housing Services or the American Lung 

Memorial Fund. 

  Look out Lord - she's coming to you with bells on!

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