Kenneth Kroska

Kenneth P. Kroska, age 94, of Tucson, AZ, died on Sunday, September 30, 2012 at The Villas at LaCanada in Tucson.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 19, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church (139 Mercy Drive) in Faribault. Interment will be held at the St. Lawrence Cemetery in Faribault.

Memorial visitation will be held at the church on Friday for one half hour prior to services.

Arrangements are being completed by the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault.

He was born on June 1st, 1918, to Anthony "Tony" and Alma (Herbst) Kroska in Duelm, Minnesota. The family moved to Faribault in 1924 where Kenneth attended St. Lawrence Grade School and graduated from Faribault High School. He attended Saint John's Abbey in Collegeville, MN and later studied art at the University of Minnesota. He worked at various jobs as well as the family grocery store in Faribault, Tony's Jack Sprat. In 1959 he went to work at the State Schools, now called the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind and Deaf. He eventually became Director of Volunteer Services retiring in 1979 to Green Valley, Arizona. In his later years Kenn and his sister Rita who had also retired to Green Valley, relocated to Tucson. He was a member of Saint Odilia Catholic Church of Tucson. Kenn was well known for his good nature, cheerful laugh and kindness. He loved gardening, the arts, community service and carpentry. As a young man he helped build the family cabin on French Lake, where the Kroska's enjoyed many happy summers. He was a devoted son, brother, uncle and friend.

Kenn is survived by his nieces and nephews: Luanne (Kroska) Koshire and Shelly (Kroska) Kuhlmann of Rochester, MN; Amy Kroska of Norman, Oklahoma; Gloria (Kroska)Noffsinger of Farmington Hills, Michigan; Linda Kroska of North Saint Paul, Minnesota; Cindy (Kroska)Kosman of Scandia, Minnesota; Mary (Kroska)Reinike of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin; Tony Kroska of Duluth, Minnesota; Tim Kroska of Grand Marais, Minnesota and sister-in-law Angela (Dudley) Kroska of Rochester.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ralph, Lucian (Dick) and Robert and sister, Rita Kroska.