Capitola A. Estkowski
October 5th, 1925 - April 17th, 2022
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Capitola's Obituary
Capitola “Tola” Adeline Estkowski, 96, of St. Joseph, passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022 at Caretel Inns in St. Joseph.
Her family will receive guests from 5 pm until time of rosary service at 6:30 pm, Friday, April 22, 2022 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 am, Saturday, April 23, 2022 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St., St. Joseph with Fr. Arul Lazar presiding. Burial to follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma. Memorial contributions can be donated to St. Joseph Catholic Church or donations can be made in Tola’s name for Mass intentions.
Tola was born October 5, 1925 in Charleston, SC to Frank and Capitola (Wingate) Owens. After her graduation from high school in 1943, she went on to reign as Miss Folly Beach in South Carolina for two years. Shortly after, Tola joined the Army, serving proudly in WWII as a medical technician. After an honorary discharge, she became an award-winning professional singer.
On April 8, 1952 she married Michael Estkowski at St. John’s Catholic Church in Benton Harbor. They shared forty-seven years of marriage and were blessed with three sons, eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Tola and her late husband, Michael, were accomplished artists who enjoyed painting and other forms of art. They frequently displayed their artwork on the bluff. She received many awards and was a past president of the Berrien County Art Guild.
Tola had many passions, but her true passion and dedication was to her family and faith. She had a deep love for God and a special devotion to our Blessed Mother. She loved sharing her faith with everyone. She was a devoted prayer warrior and developed a phone prayer chain. She made rosaries and encouraged people to pray.
She was a member at St. Joseph Catholic Church for over sixty years. She sang in the choir for many years with her husband, taught CCD, was involved in charismatic renewal, DeSales study program, funeral meal ministry, hospital communion ministry, adoration, and rosary groups. She also volunteered for Birthright.
Tola is survived by her sons, Michael (Bonnie) Estkowski, and Christopher (Kathy) Estkowski; grandchildren, Jacob (Kristen), Jeremie (Jessica), James (Emily), Joseph, Joshua, and Elizabeth Estkowski. Matthew (Gina) Estkowski and Lauren (Kurt) Radermacher; great-grandchildren, Madisyn, Trenton, Rylee, Chelsea, Jacklyn, Ethan, Tyler, and Dominic Estkowski, and Beckham Radermacher; great-great grandson, Wyatt Johnson; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Michael Estkowski; her son, Joseph Estkowski; and her siblings, William & Henry Owens and Lillian Ray.
Her family will receive guests from 5 pm until time of rosary service at 6:30 pm, Friday, April 22, 2022 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 am, Saturday, April 23, 2022 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St., St. Joseph with Fr. Arul Lazar presiding. Burial to follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma. Memorial contributions can be donated to St. Joseph Catholic Church or donations can be made in Tola’s name for Mass intentions.
Tola was born October 5, 1925 in Charleston, SC to Frank and Capitola (Wingate) Owens. After her graduation from high school in 1943, she went on to reign as Miss Folly Beach in South Carolina for two years. Shortly after, Tola joined the Army, serving proudly in WWII as a medical technician. After an honorary discharge, she became an award-winning professional singer.
On April 8, 1952 she married Michael Estkowski at St. John’s Catholic Church in Benton Harbor. They shared forty-seven years of marriage and were blessed with three sons, eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Tola and her late husband, Michael, were accomplished artists who enjoyed painting and other forms of art. They frequently displayed their artwork on the bluff. She received many awards and was a past president of the Berrien County Art Guild.
Tola had many passions, but her true passion and dedication was to her family and faith. She had a deep love for God and a special devotion to our Blessed Mother. She loved sharing her faith with everyone. She was a devoted prayer warrior and developed a phone prayer chain. She made rosaries and encouraged people to pray.
She was a member at St. Joseph Catholic Church for over sixty years. She sang in the choir for many years with her husband, taught CCD, was involved in charismatic renewal, DeSales study program, funeral meal ministry, hospital communion ministry, adoration, and rosary groups. She also volunteered for Birthright.
Tola is survived by her sons, Michael (Bonnie) Estkowski, and Christopher (Kathy) Estkowski; grandchildren, Jacob (Kristen), Jeremie (Jessica), James (Emily), Joseph, Joshua, and Elizabeth Estkowski. Matthew (Gina) Estkowski and Lauren (Kurt) Radermacher; great-grandchildren, Madisyn, Trenton, Rylee, Chelsea, Jacklyn, Ethan, Tyler, and Dominic Estkowski, and Beckham Radermacher; great-great grandson, Wyatt Johnson; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Michael Estkowski; her son, Joseph Estkowski; and her siblings, William & Henry Owens and Lillian Ray.
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Additional Visitation Information
Rosary Service beginning at 6:30pm