Walter Dennis Krukowski Jr.

Walter Dennis Krukowski, Jr. passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of  August 27, 2023 at the age of 86, surrounded by his loving family in Lake City, Michigan.

He was born September 17, 1936 to Walter and Antoinette (Wyrobek) Krukowski in Detroit, Michigan

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Lou, the mother of sons, Tim and Jeff and a daughter, Judy.  Walter and Mary loved to dance.  He was an amazing polka dancer.

Walter met Shirley Parish of Lake City in 1993 and they were married in 2001. Shirley and Walt shared their mutual love of travel together. Her children, Richard (Will), Diane and Dawn were a loving and supportive part of his family.

His children, seventeen grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren and their spouses  all knew him as Dad, Jaja, Grandpa and Wahoo. Collectively, we knew him as the most  loving, supportive, protective and generous man the world would know. Walt’s sister, Barbara and brother, Ronny were bonded by love, bound by shared sorrow and hardship in their youth, happiness and contentment in their maturity and devoted to each other in  perpetuity.

Walter has/had innumerable step brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.  An extended family, that despite time and space, is the quintessential example of a house united.  He will be missed and spoken about with admiration for generations to come.

Walt was employed by Michigan Bell (ATT) for 32 years.  He started out washing  telephone trucks for  $1 an hour and retired decades later as a Senior Manager. He had no formal education past high school, but had an uncanny ability to see a problem followed quickly by a solution.  He was tough, but fair; exacting, but compassionate.  He enjoyed nice cars and boats, or most anything that could be won or lost at a poker table. Life in  Walter’s circle was never boring to say the least.  Adventure and surprise was around  every corner.

There are no formal funeral arrangements at this time. A remembrance will be planned at a later date.

The family is being served by the Young-Holdship Funeral Home in Lake City. Words of comfort and memories may be shared on www.holdshipfuneralhomes.com.