Genevieve Kowalewski

Gean, as her friends called her, was born in Nemencine, Lithuania in 1925, but only spent 16 years of her life there. In 1941, she was taken by the Nazi forces and sent to a forced labor camp in Austria and later to camps in Germany. The day she was taken was the last time she ever saw her parents or family. She had many horrific experiences that affected her the rest of her long life.

Mom was a devout Roman Catholic all her life and a member of St. Joseph’s Parrish in Salem. One of her prizes possessions was a Rosary that she received for her First Communion when she was a child. She carried and used that Rosary all her life. When in the prison camps she wore it around her neck or hid it under her breast. She takes her Rosary with her now. May she rest in peace.

She was preceded in death by her husband Matthew Kowalewski and will be laid to rest next to him at Belcrest Memorial Park in South Salem. She is survived by her three children, daughter Barbara, and sons Walter and John. She is also survived by 3 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 8 great great grandchildren.

Services will be held Sunday, October 30 at 11:00AM (doors open at 10:00AM for the viewing portion) in the Chapel at Howell, Edwards, Doerksen Funeral Home, 1350 Commercial St SE, Salem OR 97302 followed immediately by the interment at Belcrest Memorial Park.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hed-fh.com for the Kowalewski family.