Mr. Jerry Kulaja

Jerry J. Kulaja, December 6, 1915 – May 6, 2010; born in Ovid, MI to Fabian & Mary Kulaja. He lived a life as full as anyone could hope for. He grew up in a time of hard work, very little play and very little money. He was a self-made man, who was educated at Michigan State University and became one of Detroit, Michigan’s most respected and revered Hospital Administrator’s. He successfully ran a small, privately owned hospital, Doctor’s Hospital at 2730 E. Jefferson Ave. as well as St. Clair Hospital in Detroit, MI and was instrumental in establishing Doctor’s Hospital in Des Moines, IA. He and his wife of 65 years, Helen, raised 3 daughters, Jerrette, Onna and Helen. They both lived to welcome 3 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren into their family. Helen preceded him in death in 2005.

Jerry was a founding member of St. James Lutheran church in Grosse Pointe, Michigan and later in life a charter member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Overland Park, KS. His church families were very important to Jerry and he loved nothing more than chatting with friends at each church. In his later years, when he could no longer drive, several members of Holy Cross Lutheran Church took it upon themselves to make sure Jerry was able to attend service every Sunday and take part in many church activities. He took great delight in this “limousine” service and looked forward to the private conversations these drives would provide him with his good friends.

To say that Jerry knew how to make things grow is an understatement. Some people have a “green thumb” - Jerry had a “green soul”. He grew the most amazing roses that won many awards; he was a hybridizer and judge of orchids and he had a lawn that was nothing short of green velvet. He loved nothing more than to spend hour after hour, working the soil, getting it just right, mixing his special growing concoctions and then relaxing in his favorite lounger, relishing the fruits of his labors and soaking up the warm summer sun.

Jerry is survived by this 3 daughters; Jerrette Schrock, Onna Kulaja & Helen McMaster; his 2 sons-in law, Dan Schrock and Robert McMaster; 3 grandchildren, Kelly Schrock McKee and her family, husband Ted, children Ashley, Matthew and Olivia; Dan Schrock Jr. and his family, wife Beth, children Lexi and Danny; and Josh McMaster and his soon to be bride, Aimee Rasmussen.

We could say so much more about him; from his military service; the breeding & raising of German Shepard dogs; being the contractor on several homes he built for he and his wife as well as his daughter Jerrette; to his sponsorship of individuals from foreign countries, a Renaissance man to be sure; but we would like to leave you with this, as his surviving family members we can only hope to carry the torch of his vast knowledge and experience on through our lives and pass it to the generations yet to be born. He gave us a gift that we will cherish forever, he gave us himself and we are honored to have known and loved him.

Visitation will be at D. W. Newcomer’s Sons Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS on Friday, May 14th, 5:30-7:30 PM. Funeral services to be held Saturday, May 15th, 11:00 AM at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 7851 W. 119th Street, Overland Park, KS. Donations may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

A visitation will also be held on Wednesday, May 19th 11:00 AM at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 900 E. Michigan, Lansing, MI. Graveside services will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery in Lansing, MI.

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