Ernestine A. Kurmas

Ernestine A. Kurmas, age 95, of Oakland Township, passed away on May 29, 2022. She was told that day she was not leaving her loving family that surrounded her but just relocating to heaven because that's where all the angels are.

Ernestine was born on November 4, 1926 in Detroit to Edward Pionk and Susan Palach (Palacz). She was their first born. Her siblings were Erma Kurmas, Adrienne Nelson, Marvin Pionk and Edward Pionk. They led a very simple but happy life growing up .

Ernestine went to Our Lady Queen of Apostles grade school and St. Ladislaus High School. She was taught by Felician and Franciscan nuns and spent a lot of time helping them at school.

As a child Ernestine spent summers with her grandparents, Suzanna and Joseph Palacz on their farm in Parisville, Michigan. She once rescued a baby chick after a storm one summer and kept it behind her grandmother's stove to keep it warm. Her Uncles told her it would not survive, but it did. Her nurturing spirit began at an early age. These summers were her fondest childhood memories.

In early 1946 she met Stanley Kurmas who lived next door. She was nineteen years old. Stanley was almost ten years older. Their first date was a dance. She didn't like him right away. She thought he was very polite, self-confident, conceited and a little cocky. His nickname was "Hooker”. Her parents loved him! Eight months later they were married!

Stanley asked Ernestine to marry him on June 15, 1946. They were married on October 26, 1946.

Their first child, Daniel, was born in 1947 and was followed by Nicola, Suzanne, Rhonda, Gary, Patricia, Richard, James and Stanley.

Ernestine was a stay-at-home Mom. She spent long hours every day taking care of her large family. She was a phenomenal cook and made the best golabki, potato pancakes and potato salad. She had a way of making each of her nine children feel that they were an only child. She also loved to garden.

Her favorite book was the Bible. Her faith was very, very important to her. She spent hours praying daily and said at least one rosary each day. She was a member of St. Andrew Church in Rochester for over fifty years.

Ernestine was preceded in death by her husband Stanley and sons Daniel and Richard. She is survived by Daniel's wife Cindy, Nicola (John), Suzanne (preceded in death Paul), Rhonda (Ron), Gary (Donna), Patricia (Juan), James (Trista), and Stanley (Angie). Ernestine is also survived by eighteen grandchildren (Daniel Jr. preceded in death), thirty seven great grandchildren (Misty Dawn preceded in death) and 12 great, great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Adrie and many nieces and nephews.

In 1989 she wrote in a book for her granddaughter Hannah's third grade class project “The most important thing I learned was to be content with the simple things in life and live each day as if it were my last". She certainly did!

Ernestine's long and beautiful life will be celebrated during a funeral mass for her immediate family on June 11, 2022.

Donations to Right To Life of Michigan would be appreciated.