Stella Kafka 1933-2024

Stella was born April 16, 1933, in Wolyn, Poland, the daughter of the late Frances Bogatek and Veronica Kubusinski. She received the sacrament of baptism in Osada Jazlowiecka, Poland.

During World War II, Stella and her family were displaced from their home in Poland to work camps in Siberia, Russia. Amnesty was granted in 1941, but the family became separated. Stella and some of her family were taken to Uzbekistan and then to Iran. In Iran, Stella received the sacraments of confession, first Holy Communion and confirmation.

When the war ended, the next move on her life journey was to Lebanon and then onto England, where she met and married Leon. With her husband Leon, her son Richie, and her mother Veronica, Stella crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1957 on the SS United States.

Stella celebrated the sacrament of marriage in England with her husband Leon on Sept. 12, 1953. The last sacrament she received was the anointing of the sick on Sept. 18, 2024.

Stella was an active member of the parishes where she belonged — St. John the Baptist and St. Joseph the Provider (Campbell), Holy Family (Poland, Ohio), St. Columbkile (Wilmington) and Our Lady of Hope Family of Parishes (Lebanon). She served as secretary to Father Heruday at St. John’s Church. Stella’s favorite hymn was “Ave Maria,” which was sung at her wedding and will be sung at her funeral Mass. Her favorite flowers were roses.

Stella loved to dance! She glided on the floor with Leon, and she shared so many dances with their close Polish friends in the “club.”

Stella also loved family gatherings. As the family grew, holidays were spent at “Babcia’s” with her cooking traditional delicious Polish dishes and continuing family traditions.

Surviving are son, Richard (Denise) Kafka; daughters, Eva (Joe) Garchar and Ann Kafka; son, Leon (Mary) Kafka; grandchildren, Dana (Jason) Cooper, Megan Goldie, Kevin (Brittany) Kafka, Sara (Jeff) Kussin, Kaitlin Ridner, Jenna Garchar, Jake (Autumn) Baun, Kate (Kyle) Nesbitt and Jake (Kianna) Eades; great-grandchildren, Kimber Cooper, Chloe Cooper, Gunner Goldie, Raelynn Goldie, Owen Ridner, Eli Ridner, Rosalie Kussin, Everett Kussin, Kolton Kafka, Bexley Kafka, Adrian Bostick, Grayson Baun, Cora Baun and Mack Baun.

In addition to her parents, Stella was preceded in death by her husband, Leon Kafka, who died Nov. 30, 2011; four sisters and two brothers.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, at St. Columbkille Catholic Church with Rev. Bernard Weldishofer officiating. Interment will follow in Sugar Grove Cemetery.

Friends will be received from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at Fisher-Edgington Funeral Home, Wilmington. Anyone wishing to pray the rosary may join Deacon Bob at 9:30 a.m.

Contributions in Stella’s memory may be made to St. Vincent DePaul c/o St. Columbkille Church, 73 Mulberry St., Wilmington, Ohio 45177.

To sign the online guest book, go to edgingtonfuneralhomes.com.

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