Leah Rae Kowalski

Leah Rae Kowalski, a longtime resident of Waupaca, passed away at the age of 84 on December 30 after a brief illness. She was born in Oshkosh, WI to Scotty & Viola (Whitney) Potts of Rural, WI. Leah graduated from Waupaca High School and started her education in Nursing at Green Bay School of Nursing. Leah met her love, Michael and married in Milwaukee at St. Mary Magdalene Church in 1959. Together, they had six children. Leah worked for the Waupaca School District as a School Bus Driver for several years. After driving bus, she re-started her path toward continuing her education for a nursing degree while working as a CNA at Bethany Home in Waupaca. Securing her degree in 1998 Leah was contracted by the Veterans Home in King as a traveling LPN Nurse. After retiring Leah enjoyed gardening, bird watching, coffee and sweets. One of Leahs repeated sayings is “If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all”. Pretty much sums up who & what Leah was as a person, she will be deeply missed by her family. Always hugs and kisses. Leah is survived by her children: David (Margie) Kowalski of Iola, Alice (Heslyn) Menadue of Waupaca, Lisa Kowalski (Mark) of Waupaca, Sara (Shawn) McCullick of Stanley/Boyd and Myra (John) Dickson of Wild Rose; 10 grandchildren Heslyn (Kelly) Menadue, Scott (Leann) Menadue, Meghan (Kyle) Merila, Kyle (Jenni) Kowalski, Shari (Brandon) Nicklow, Mitchel (Bree) Dickson, Jenna (Reece) Zoelle, Monica Dickson, Justin Menadue (Wendy) and Ben Roe; 14 great grandchildren and a family friend Steve Haskins of Wisconsin Rapids. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mike Kowalski; son Scott Kowalski; grandson Cody McCullick; parents Clement & Viola Potts and brother Gary Potts. A memorial service will be held on Friday January 12, 2024 at 11 A.M. at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca, WI. A memorial gathering will be held on Friday January 12, 2024 from 10 A.M. until the time of the service at 11 A.M. at the funeral home. The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Lyons & Dr. Amos, ThedaCare at Home Hospice and faculty, nurses at ThedaCare, CNA Amy and Teresa. “The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under who’s shade you do not expect to sit.”

Leah Rae Kowalski

April 26, 1939 - December 30, 2023