Marie B. Struss, age 86, of La Porte, IN, passed away on Friday, March 11, 2016 at La Porte Miller Health and Rehab at 9:30 pm. She was born on December 16, 1929 in Cleveland, OH to Gust E. and Helen E. (Kowalski) Rinkowski. In 1952, Marie married Frederick Hoffman; he preceded her in death in 1971. On November 30, 1978, she then married Russell Kenneth Struss who preceded her in death in 2000.
She is survived by three beloved children, Janice (Tom) Keen of New Carlisle, Clara (Jim) Larson of Henderson, NV, and Fritzi (Mark) Norfolk of St. Leonard, MD; four grandchildren, Tobin Keen, Matthew (Cassie) Keen, Sean Lee, and Annmarie Norfolk; two great-grandchildren, Brennden Keen and Addisyn Keen; two step-children, Kenneth (Winona) Struss and Patricia Clark; step-grandchildren, Jamie Galko, Tia Miscik, Kurt Struss, Susan Helwig, and Eric Struss; along with several step-great-grandchildren. Marie was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; and her son, James "Smacks" Michalski in 1969.
Marie was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church. She was also a life member of the VFW Auxiliary Post 1130 and past president; American Legion #83 Auxiliary and past president; Forty and Eight; Mother's of WWII Units 133 and 157; and also a member of the Eagles, all of La Porte.
Over the years, she worked at Spiegel, Montgomery Ward, Austenal, American Home Foods, La Porte Press, and at Walmart as a greeter.
A Memorial Gathering will be held on Friday, March 18, 2016 from 11am - 1pm at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center. A graveside service will be held following the gathering at Pine Lake Cemetery in La Porte. Father Joseph A. Angotti will officiate.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.
Condolences may be shared with the family on www.cutlerfuneralhome.com.