Mary U. Tunkieicz, 86, of Kenosha, passed away on Sunday, October 1, 2023 at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center, Milwaukee.

Born on Sept. 28, 1937, in Chicago, IL, she was the daughter of the late Jennie A. Howe Woods and the late Gunnar Gram. She was raised in Allegan, MI, by her mother and her beloved stepfather, John H. Woods, who died in 1951. She attended Allegan High School and graduated from Thornton Township High School in Harvey, IL, in 1955.

She moved with her mother to Racine, WI, in 1955 and worked at the Oster Manufacturing Co. She met Charles J. Tunkieicz at a dance. They married on February 23, 1957 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Kenosha.

Mary was an important partner in the family’s farm business in Somers – keeping the books, running errands, and selling potatoes and beets from a stand outside of her home on 60^th Street (County Highway K), just east of 88^th Avenue (County Highway H), all while raising four children.

She was a very creative spirit who enjoyed singing, dancing, playing the piano and creative writing. She was also a prolific poet and had won awards for her writing, including a Blue Ribbon from the state Home and Community Education organization.

Mary loved working with young people, which led her to become a Kenosha County 4-H leader, where she taught cooking and clowning. She led the Somers Clowns as BB the Clown for many years. The troupe entertained at many events, large and small, with a show, balloon animals and face painting. Her support and encouragement inspired several young people to pursue creative activities.

She always opened her heart and home to people in need, whether it was weary travelers passing by her house, or hosting a homemade dinner for the staff and entertainers of an entire circus that was performing in the area.

Mary was a current member of the Kenosha County Association for Home and Community Education and had been an active member for 40 years. She was a former member of the Kenosha County Farm Bureau, the Women of the Moose-Kenosha Lodge #286, and St. Peters Catholic Church. She was listed in Who’s Who of American Women and was recognized by the Clown Alley and the International Clown Hall of Fame in Baraboo, WI.

A devoted supporter of the arts, Mary has been sponsoring outdoor public sculptures, particularly through the Sculpture Walk-HarborPark, coordinated by the Arts Fund, a component fund of the Kenosha Community Foundation.

She is survived by daughters Charlene (Robert) Lane, Scottsville, VA, and Jennie (John F. Hansen) Tunkieicz, Kenosha; a grandson, Chief Petty Officer Kristopher R. Lane, USCG, Aviation Training Center, Mobile, AL; and great-granddaughter, Rylee Rae Lane, Mobile, AL.

In addition to her parents, she was also proceeded in death by her sons, John C. Tunkieicz, on June 26, 1982, and Robert D. Tunkieicz, on June 3, 1996; her husband, Charles J. Tunkieicz, on April 3, 2005; and her brother, Robert L. Woods, on October 21, 1991.

Mary’s family is grateful to the caregivers and her many friends at Willowbrook Assisted Living who took wonderful care of Mary and kept her busy with art projects, Bingo, and cards while she was a resident there since December 2022. Special thanks to the staff of Garden Tower Floor T10 at St. Luke’s Medical Center, particularly Nurse Shelby, for such loving care during Mary’s final days.

Service Info

Funeral services honoring Mary’s life will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at the Piasecki Funeral Home, 3720 39th Ave, Kenosha.

Entombment will follow in All Saints Mausoleum.

A visitation for Mary will be held on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances to Wisconsin Humane Society Kenosha Campus, 7811 60^th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53142 or Willowbrook Sunshine Fund-Resident Activities or Staff Appreciation, 3508 Washington Rd, Kenosha, WI 53144 would be appreciated.