Agnes K. Budzynski

Born April 6, 1914 to Adam and Mary Balakavage near Wilbaux, Montana. There home was a sod house on 160 acres obtained under the Homestead Act. At age 2 the family moved to Indiana then Michigan, but returned to the homesteading and ranching on the plains of Montana during 1920-1925. Agnes's 5 year Montana experience included drought, hail, extreme winters, harvesting, round ups, chores, riding horses to school and planting time. Late in 1925 the family moved back to Michigan near Custer, where Agnes continued a hard and difficult farm life until graduating high school. She then at age 18 entered the County Normal Program and became a teacher in a one room schoolhouse (1932). Her chosen education profession was to last 45 years culminated in the Muskegon Mona Shores District in 1977. During those years she acquired both her Bachelors and Masters Degrees at Western Michigan University. Her love of teaching and inventive techniques for reading skills benefited countless students. The war years found Agnes testing tank engines at Continental Motors in Muskegon and praying for her Sweetheart Joe who was in the Pacific. Her post war years were dedicated to teaching and raising her family. She had many wonderful retirement years in Muskegon on Mona Brook, where gardening, reunions, chatting with friends and watching her grandchildren occupied her time. Her life accomplishments are truly part of "The Greatest Generation". Agnes always had a passion for poetry. Her works were published in 2005 by her daughter Nancy in a collection titled "Little Verses from My Heart". She also authored and published a history of her parents and their difficult struggles as Lithuanian Immigrants. Agnes was pre-deceased by her father Adam (1942), Mother Mary (1966), sister Eva (1955), sister Alice (1984), sister Frances. Her 56 years of marriage to Sweetheart Joe ended with his passing in 2000. Surviving her include her daughter Nancy (Jack) Selby of Lansing, son Roger (Maxine) Budzynski of Dimondale, grandson Gregory Budzynski of St. Louis, MO. And grandson Joseph Budzynski of Bermuda, U.K. Also surviving are sister Antoinette (Joe) Benak, brother Anthony Balakavage, Special Friends Lucille Moore, Florence Deering, Helen Budzynski, Paul & Dorothy Jankovic, Ted & Jeanie Grudzen, and Katherine Abramowski. Visitation will be Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007 at 10:00am until time of Funeral Mass 11:00am at St. Michael Catholic Church 345 Edwards St. Grand Ledge, MI Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice House of Mid-Michigan.