If your heart is hurting today, it may be because she took a piece of it with her. Veronica Cimala, 98, of Delton passed away Aug. 23, 2018. Veronica was born Jan. 11, 1920, in Chicago, the daughter of immigrant parents Frank and Ann (Kaleczak) Kania.
Veronica would tell a lot of stories about Chicago. Growing up during the depression, she appreciated anything and everything she had. A huge vegetable garden supplied the family with lots of canned goods through the years. While in Chicago, Veronica drove ambulance for the Veterans Administration, was “Rosie the Riveter” at International Harvester, and worked for Brach’s Candy (think Lucy and Ethel) and Nabisco.
Veronica married “her honey” Victor on Oct. 12, 1946, in Chicago and they were together 57 years, raising four children. She spoke Polish fluently, loved to cook Polish food, and the smell of Capusta, Kielbasa, Gawhompkie, Pierogies, Kolatchkie always filled the house.
Veronica and Victor came to Delton in 1948, to help run the family business, the Delton Café. Veronica was also employed by Hastings Manufacturing for 23 years, retiring in 1986.
Veronica and Victor loved playing penny ante on Saturday nights with George and Betty, and Don and Millie. Occasionally you would see Veronica at the casino and she was lucky enough to visit her family in Poland twice. Besides working full time and running the household, Veronica managed to volunteer at Veterans Administration Foster Homes and participate in their Christmas parties. She was also a member of the Polish Women’s Alliance of Chicago, the UAW local 138, and the VFW Post 422 Women’s Auxiliary, Delton.
Veronica’s Catholic faith was very important to her and it kept her safe and guided her through life. Victor and Veronica were founding members of Saint Ambrose Catholic Church, Delton.
Veronica is survived by sons, Vincent Cimala of Holt and Virgil (Sue) Cimala of Stevensville; a daughter, Virginia (Bill) Juriga of Kalamazoo and June (Bob) Cribley of Eaton Rapids; her grandchildren who called her Busia, Vickie, Ricky, Joe, Cathy, Matt, Chris, David, Taylor, Jen, Jay, Katy, Jeff and Ricky; seven great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. These were her most precious possessions.
Veronica was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Victor in 2004; her daughter Vivian in 1977; and her brother Stanley in 2003.
Veronica’s family will receive friends Tuesday, Aug. 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Williams-Gores Funeral Home, Delton, where the Rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, Aug. 29, at 11 a.m. at Saint Ambrose Catholic Church, Delton, with Rev. Fr. Stanley Witek, celebrant. Burial will take place in East Hickory Corners Cemetery.
Memorial contributions to Saint Ambrose Catholic Church will be appreciated. Please visit www.williamsgoresfuneral.com to share a memory or to leave a condolence message for Veronica’s family.
Thank you to Life Care Center of Plainwell for the care given to Grandma Busia.
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