Lillian Caroline Malacky

Lillian “Caroline” (Kirste) Malacky passed away on June 10, 2025, surrounded by her family at her daughter’s home in Schererville, IN. Up until the end, Caroline maintained her kindness, grace, faith, compassion, love of family and friends, and expressed gratitude for her long life, full of wonderful and varied experiences.

Caroline was born on February 2, 1933 in Washington, IL to Lydia Hellen (Bunte) Jurgens of Beecher, IL, and was later adopted on April 3, 1933 by Carl and Lillian (Stellman) Kirste of Chicago, IL. Caroline worked at a Publishing Company in Chicago, but gave up her career when she became a mother. She then took to volunteering at her church and local schools, in addition to visiting and caring for homebound relatives and seniors.

Caroline was a loving wife to Edward Herbert Malacky for 68 wonderful years. They spent their retired days in Oldsmar, FL, for the winter months. She was a devoted mother to Sandra Gross, Debra Arnold, and Barbara Dean. She was a compassionate mother-in-law to Bill Gross, Steve Arnold, and Sam Dean. She was the best and most dedicated Nana ever to her 12 grandchildren, Bill Gross, Matt Gross, Kaley Harris, Kimberly Makela, Andrew Gross, Kelly Raab, Jacob Gross, Kirsten Gross, Bryan Arnold, Carrie Cline, Maverick Dean, and Calvin Dean.

Caroline also took special joy in playing and bonding with her 18 great-grandchildren, Brynn Gross, Cora Gross, Brody Gross, Carter Gross, Oliver Gross, Elliott Gross, Ben Harris, Penelope Raab, Lucy Makela, Henry Makela, Lilly Arnold, Madison Arnold, Ryleigh Cline, Emmett Cline, Cooper Cline, Skyler Cline, Makenzy Cline, and Jax Cline.

Caroline was preceded in death by two siblings she never met, Marjory (Jurgens) Thiesfeld and Lee Roy Jurgens.

A visitation for Caroline will be held Saturday, June 14, 2025 from 12:00 PM until time of service at 1:00 PM at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 8178 Cline Avenue, Crown Point, IN 46307. Burial to follow at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens. Due to construction on Cline Avenue, please enter through the Cemetery North entrance on East 77th Avenue.

Her family will never forget the love, faith, and positivity she brought to their lives. She always went out of her way to see the good in people and give them the benefit of the doubt.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapelLawnFunerals.com for the Malacky family.