April 7, 1923 - May 12, 2024
Veronica Sapak Karbowski passed away May 12, 2024 at Faith Hospice - Trillium Woods in Byron Center, Michigan at the golden age of 101 years young. She was very mobile and active up to six weeks before her death.
Veronica was born in Saginaw County on April 7, 1923 to her Slovakian immigrant parents, the late Louis and Agnes (Masar) Sapak. She was the third born of 12 children. Veronica worked and played hard all her life. In her younger years, she helped pull sugar beets by hand on the family’s farm along with other farm tasks such as using a sickle, which she claimed helped with her golf game. She was of great help to her mother with raising the younger siblings as well. Veronica was a 1941 graduate of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic High School in Saginaw. After graduating, she worked clerical jobs and at Eaton Manufacturing during WWII. Retail sales piqued her interest after her own children attended school. She worked part time at Kmart and The Pop Shop in Saginaw, Michigan.
On February 1, 1947 she married Wallace T. Karbowski (Wally) in Saginaw, Michigan. Together they literally built their family home on Prueter Drive in Buena Vista Township and filled it with five children. Veronica and Wally lived there until 1979 and moved to Frost Drive in Saginaw Township. It was at that time they retired. Together they took up golf (the sickle) and traveled extensively, eventually spending 20 plus winters in Marco Island, Florida - a place they really loved. They spent every day on the beach or at the pool, walking, playing cards and bingo, and meeting many friends over the years. Rumor has it Veronica beat Wally many times at golf. This competitive spirit remained with her up to her passing. Veronica and Wally both proclaimed they had a great life and were blessed with five great kids and their families.
They were devout Catholics and past parishioners of St. Casmir, Holy Rosary, Saint Dominic all of Saginaw and Corpus Christi of Bay City.
Veronica is survived by her children Vivian (Mike) Wressell, Ken Karbowski, Greg (Stephanie) Karbowski, Karla (Bob) Grant, and Dean (Linda) Karbowski; as well as eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers and two sisters; and many nieces, nephews, and friends who helped celebrate her 100th birthday in April, 2023. Veronica was preceded in death by Wally in June, 2010; dear daughter-in-law, Patty Karbowski in February, 2023; three brothers and four sisters.
A private funeral Mass will be held to honor and celebrate Veronica’s devotion and love for Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith. Veronica’s ashes will be interred with Wally’s at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresbyron.com in their guest book online.
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