Marie Gutkowski

Marie was born on September 3, 1934 in Wanette, OK. She moved to Modesto in 1944 with her parents and brothers. She attended Franklin Elementary, Empire Elementary, and Modesto High School. She graduated from Modesto High School in 1952. She met Joe Gutkowski while "dragging" 10th Street. They married on November 2, 1956 and lived in Atwater, CA before moving to Fort Worth, TX. She welcomed her only child into the world in July of 1971. After her divorce, she and her daughter Kristi moved back to Modesto in 1980. Marie was hired as a para in a class for students with visual disabilities. She learned braille, and retired as a braille transcriber for Modesto City Schools in January of 1999.

After she retired, Marie continued to sew for herself and her granddaughters. She also enjoyed working in her garden, reading, working crossword puzzles, and watching her granddaughters. She also volunteered in her daughter's 2nd-grade classroom. She was affectionally known as "Ms. G". She was involved in her church, Life Connections Church, from the time she moved back to Modesto until she was no longer physically able to.

Marie is survived by her daughter Kristi Bosma; granddaughters Keira and Riley Bosma; sister-in-laws Delores Statzer and Beverly Statzer; great-aunt Betty Patty; nephews David and Michael Statzer; niece Rene Statzer Turpitt; as well as many great-nephews and nieces, and great-great-nephews and nieces. Marie is preceded in passing by her parents Conley and Ollie Maie Statzer; brothers Duwayn and James Statzer; and nephew Jimmy Statzer.

A visitation for Marie will be held Tuesday, May 20, 2025 from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM at Lakewood Funeral Home in the Heritage Chapel, located at 900 Santa Fe Avenue in Hughson, CA. A funeral service will occur Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Lakewood Funeral Home in the Heritage Chapel. Following the funeral service will be a graveside ceremony at Lakewood Memorial Park in the Peacevale Garden, located at 900 Santa Fe Avenue in Hughson, CA.