Anne "Amzi" V (Bolek) Kolakowski

Anne V. Kolakowski (nee Bolek), age 103, late of Joliet, passed away peacefully at home on February 13, 2021.

Beloved wife of the late Casimer "Kayo" Kolakowski; devoted aunt "Amzi" to many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Anna (Furmankiewicz) Bolek, and her siblings: Joseph (Stella); Frank (Anne); Julie (Frank) Banach; Rose (Joseph) Goron; Walter (Mary); and Theresa (John) Sluski.

She was born in Joliet on November 27, 1917, and lived on Harrison Avenue almost her entire life.  Anne was a graduate of Joliet Central High School.

During World War II, Anne worked as an Inspector at the Joliet Arsenal, Elwood Ordinance Plant.  In 1947, after impressing Mr. Greenfield, the store manager, with her style, she was hired at Kline's Department Store in Joliet as a saleswoman.  She was promoted and became a buyer and the department manager in 1957.  Anne married Casimer "Kayo" Kolakowski on May 31, 1958.  Anne and Kayo enjoyed traveling to reunion events all over the country for Kayo's 41st Infantry Division, U.S. Army.

Anne loved pets and kept both dogs and cats in her care.  She enjoyed crocheting, cooking and baking, doing word search puzzles, and watching Chicago sports on TV - especially the Bulls.  She was devoted to the Lord, and prayed the rosary and watched the Mass every day.  Family was also very important to Anne.  She passed along many Polish traditions to her family, especially for Easter and Christmas.  Many family members enjoyed making kolacki and pierogi with Anne for Christmas, and singing Polish songs like "Sto Lat" to celebrate a birthday.

Family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, February 20, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. until time of closing prayers beginning at 10:20 a.m. at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road in Joliet. The funeral will then process to Holy Cross Catholic Church, 901 Elizabeth Street in Joliet, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. The mass will be live-streamed for those guests wishing to attend from the safety of their home. A link is provided at the bottom of Anne’s online obituary through the funeral home website. Interment will follow and Anne will be laid to rest in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. Masks and social distancing practices are required.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Anne's memory to Mercy Home for Boys and Girls (mercyhome.org) or Joliet Area Community Hospice (joliethospice.org).