Josephine (Josie) Kuta entered her 100th year in March 2020 on the verge of the pandemic that could not defeat her ("Germs are afraid of me.")  Instead, she succumbed to very recently diagnosed lung cancer on November 29, 2020. She will be remembered as a colorful lover of Chicago, gardening, making beautiful things, competing in word games and especially her family.

Born on a farm in Lublin, Wisconsin to Frank and Anna Kusek on March 10, 1921, the youngest of six, Josie was no stranger to work starting with weeding at an early age, and milking cows by the age of eight. The milk was put in 20-gallon cans and taken to the local cheese factory by horse and buggy with "Dolly" taking directions from Josie.

Eventually Josie followed her older sisters to Chicago at the age of 15, and quickly found work peeling vegetables at Thompson's Restaurant. She enjoyed waitressing at the Sheraton Hotel on Michigan Avenue, and two private clubs on LaSalle Street. She also cashiered at A&P Food and National Food Stores and worked the night shift in the Accounting Department at the Montgomery Ward headquarters. Thus, began her love affair with the City of Chicago and she claimed to be able to walk the Loop streets blindfolded.  "There's nothing like Michigan Avenue" she would sigh as we would drive up and down the Boulevard to admire the summertime plants. She always lived within blocks of a CTA bus stop, and her grandchildren were gifted with the best tour guide ever as she showed them her beloved downtown.

Her deep appreciation and love of nature was evident in her gardening talents. She was happiest when pressing her fingertips into soil.  You couldn't take a road trip back to Wisconsin without hearing her exclaim, "Cat Tails! Sumac! Queen Anne's Lace!" At her beloved last residence of Ascension Living Resurrection Village in Chicago, she was a happy and venerated member of the garden club and led a restoration of the Grotto garden.  One of her proudest moments was in 2008 when they won 1 st place in Mayor Daley's Landscape Awards for Multi-Unit Residential Region 1. She also participated in designing Chapel arrangements, lectoring at Mass and managing Bingo.

Josie was a maker. One could always find her busy with crocheting, needlepoint, jeweled and ribboned Christmas ornaments, sewing, millinery and more. Games, especially word games, brought out her competitive spirit. Crossword puzzles were completed in ink, even those without diagrams.

Mastering technology at 95, she learned how to use Grandpad to receive/send email and take/share photos. She created a Favorites playlist of music which was of comfort in her final hours, especially the songs All Things Bright and Beautiful and Peace in the Valley.

Her family brought her great joy; she felt blessed to have them in her life, and many were within an easy distance which made gathering often so enjoyable.  Everyone became accustomed to her openly voiced honesty, which lasted until her final days. Her love of lavender attire and décor was a source of fascination which challenged her family when choosing gifts for her, the most recent being a lovely lavender face mask from goddaughter Luann.

Josie is survived by her three children, Casey (Fran), Ann, and Celeste (Joe Aquilina), her grandchildren, Jeff (Nicole) Kuta and Colleen (Michael) Nelson, and three great-grandchildren, Rowan Kuta, and Madelyn and Amelia Nelson. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her husband, Aloysius, a brother, Valerian, and four sisters, Antoinette (Toni) Polak, Frances Grzesik, Leona Kusek and Celia Siudak.

A Life Celebration in Chicago and Mass and interment in Lublin, Wisconsin will take place in 2021. In lieu of flowers, donations in Josephine Kuta's memory may be made out to PRRC and sent to Ascension Living Resurrection Village, 7262 W. Peterson Avenue, Chicago, IL 60631.