Arsulowicz Brothers Mortuaries, Inc.

Klukoski
Dolores J. Klukoski, 86, of Grand Rapids, passed away peacefully at home at Sentinel Pointe Retirement Community on Thursday July 1, 2010.Dolores was born January 2, 1924, the daughter of Bernard and Emelia (Lipinski) Klukoski. She was preceded in death by her parents and by three brothers, Roman Klukoski, Conrad (Adelle) Conrad and Bernard (Marian) Klukoski Jr. Music was the absolute focal point of Dolores's life.  At a very early age she had to choose between piano and violin and it was soon clear she had a gift for the violin. So after high school graduation she focused on a carrer in music. In 1945 she graduated from Michigan State University with a major in violin plus a teaching certificate. (to be practical). She played first with an all-girl orchestra that toured the Midwest, then joined an all-girl dance and theater orchestra. She then formed a strings-plus-piano quartet which performed at the Mocha Room in the Pantlind Hotel for 2 years until Muzak intruded. In 1948 she joined the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, retiring from the Symphony in her 50th anniversary year. During that time, she supplemented her income with jobs at Capital Airlines, Lear Siegler and later with teaching violin plus playing in a string quartet, "Baroque Again". Dolores served on the St. Cecelia Society Board and the Symphony Board, and was a longtime member of the Women's Committee of the Grand Rapids Symphony. A lifetime of music! Among numerous close surviving cousins and their descendants are Almarie (Sackley) Mathews and family, and Dr. Thomas Mathews. Surviving nephews are Jerry (Rita) Conrad and Conrad Paul Conrad. Surviving descendants of the Klukoski family include Arnold Clark, Connie Hoberg, Carol (Richard) Capell, Mary Donna (Jim) Cretcher, and Frank (Helen) Rybarsyk. Also to be mentioned are dear friends and special caregivers Beth Lepak, Ann Skory, Brooks Filonow and Marge Pulaski, her good buddy poker players, some who played with the group for 60+ years, her colleagues and friends in the Grand Rapids Symphony and many other dear friends. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made for Masses, or to the St. Cecilia Music Society, the Grand Rapids Symphony or the Association for the Blind. Arrangements are being handled by Arsulowicz Brothers, East Mortuary, 937 Michigan NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503. Visitation on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9pm, with a Rosary on Wednesday at 7:00pm/ Funeral Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Church on Thursday at 10:30am, with visitation/gathering at the Church one hour before the Mass, luncheon to follow.
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