Mrs. Della “Babcia” Kulak, age 74, of Cedar Springs, passed away on Monday, November 15, 2010. Della, the daughter of Calvin and Stella Smith, was born on February 23, 1936, during a blustery snowstorm; her mom needed to be taken to M-66 by sleigh to get to the hospital. She was raised on the family farm and was a 1955 graduate of Lake Odessa High School. After graduation, Della attended business college, worked for Wurzburg’s, and then Michigan Bell. She met Mike at the Polish Falcon Hall in Grand Rapids. At first she refused to date him; but with his persistence, they had a loving courtship. On May 21, 1960 Della and Mike were married at Basilica of St. Adalbert Catholic Church in Grand Rapids. She became a stay-at-home wife and later a mother to eight children. In 1972 they moved to Cedar Springs on a 40-acre farm where the children had room to run and play. Della was a hard worker and sometimes her kids thought she was the ‘meanest’ mom because they had chores around the house, had to eat everything on their plate, had to go to bed at a reasonable hour, and had to do their homework. Della made sure that her children were raised in a faith-based home where she was the family doctor and counselor to them. She never missed an event where her kids were involved, and later attended her grandchildren’s events. Della was an excellent cook and seamstress and made several daughters’ wedding dresses and many bridesmaid dresses. Christmas was her favorite holiday, especially the togetherness of family. Della was very active at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church where she was a Eucharistic Minister, helped with bake sales, funeral lunches, and in many other ways. She is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Mike “Dzia Dzia”, children, Ed and Sandy Kulak, Mike and Dawn Kulak, Chris and Mike Bayne, Teresa Kulak, Dianna and Bob VanProoyen, Cindy and Brian Fettig, Dan and Laura Kulak, and Brian and Kim Kulak; 12 grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Ken and Darlene Smith, Bev and Clayt Townsend, Calvin “Jr” and Alice Smith, Donna and Doug Green, Tom and Doreen Smith, Mary and Ray Dykhouse, and Elaine Smith; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Calvin and Stella Smith, her sister, Marilyn, and her brothers, Cart and Roger. The Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Kulak will be Friday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church (Harvard) with Father Michael F. Cilibraise and Father Phil Salmonowicz, concelebrates. Interment in St. Margaret Cemetery. The Rosary will be prayed on Thursday evening at the funeral home at 8:30 p.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the St. Charles Catholic School Fund. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the Pederson Funeral Home on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church.

The Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford

www.pedersonfuneralhome.com