John Ulyses Kowalski

John U. Kowalski, 80, long time Devils Lake businessman, died on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at the Good Samaritan Center, Devils Lake. Mass of Christian Burial for John will be held on Monday, May 22, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. Joseph Christensen will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars. Visitation will be held at Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with the Rosary and Vigil Service at 5:00 p.m. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. John Ulyses Kowalski was born on May 20, 1925 in Dickeyville, Wisconsin, the son of George and Theresa (Bode) Kowalski. He was reared and educated in Wisconsin, graduating from St. Andrews High School at Tennyson, and graduated from Iowa State University at Ames, Iowa with a degree in General Engineering in 1949. He attended the National Institute of Drycleaning at Silver Springs, Maryland and the American Institute of Laundry in Joliet, Illinois. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged with the rank of Lieutenant in 1953. On August 8, 1953, he married Mary Louise Grosser at St Peters Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was employed at Troy Launderers and Drycleaners in Cedar Rapids; Sandrico in Santigo, Chile; and purchased Majestic Cleaners and Launderers in Devils Lake, North Dakota in 1960. He built Minnie H Center in Devils Lake and North Hill Center in Jamestown, North Dakota. John belonged to St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, Rotary Club, and Elks Lodge #1216. He enjoyed golfing, tennis, reading and time with his children and grandchildren, and was an expert with construction and repair of their homes. John is survived by his loving Wife of 52 years, Mary Louise; Children: Mary Ellen and her husband, Barry Wilkie of Denver, CO, Jennifer and her husband, Mark Hopkins of Niwot, CO Rachel and her husband, David Roen of Minnetrista, MN Grandchildren: Alec and Jessica Wilkie Katherine and Maren Hopkins Madeleine and Wilson Roen Brother: Gene Kowalski of Riverside, CA Preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Kenneth and Donald Kowalski.