SANFORD KUKLA, PATRICIA

Patricia 'Patty' Ann Kukla ended her earthly journey on April 15, 2019 at the age of 72 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was intelligent, warm, beautiful, generous, loving and happy until the very end.
She formed deep and lifelong friendships with so many schoolmates, fellow congregants, neighbors and teaching colleagues. A born again Christian, she loved Jesus with all her heart and served him with her constant gift of helps.
She was born in Battle Creek on Oct. 16, 1946 after which her family moved to Traverse City, where she completed high school and started her college work. She went on to achieve her Bachelor of Arts degree in special education from Michigan State University in 1969.
Her loving husband of 46 years, Dale, was home after serving in the U.S. Army in November of 1971 when they had a chance encounter on the Union Street Bridge in Traverse City and were married eight months later.
Patty began her teaching career at Way Elementary in Bloomfield Hills. She chose to put her professional career on hold for almost 17 years to focus on her passion, being a full time domestic engineer for her husband and three children. She later began substitute teaching to help with college costs for the kids before landing a full time teaching position with Oxford Public Schools, where she taught at Crossroads for Youth and the Oxford High School.
Patty's greatest joys were spending time with her husband, socializing with family and friends, care giving for her eight grandchildren and worshiping her Lord, Jesus Christ, in church.
Surviving her are her husband, Dale; her daughter and son-in-law, Tracey Kukla-Aleshire and Bryan Aleshire, and grandchildren, Eva, Lachlan and Baron; her son, David Kukla, and grandchildren, Deanielle, Aubrie and Madelyn; her daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Matthew Duwe, and grandchildren, Everett and Jasper; her brother and sister-in-law, Britton and Alicia Sanford; nephew, Matthew Sanford; and niece, Erin (Aaron) Singer. She loved each of them with all of her heart.
Visitation is Saturday, April 20, from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by a service at 3 p.m., all held at Lynch and Sons Funeral Directors, 39 West Burdick, Oxford, MI 48371; (248) 628-3100. A graveside service will be held at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens, Traverse City, on Saturday, May 11, at noon.
Donations may be made in her memory to any charity of your choice that benefits children or special education.
The family is being cared for by the Lunch and Sons Funeral Directors and the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

Posted By: Administrator - 05-01-2019
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