Grace D. Koci Laurenti, 84, of Topeka, passed away Monday, June 21, 2010.
She was born July 26, 1925 on a farm north of Grove, Kansas, the daughter of James F. and Frances J. (Dolezilek) Koci. She graduated from Silver Lake High School, coming to Topeka after graduating. She worked at the 832 Supply Depot for 3 years during WW II.
She met her husband, Ernest J. Laurenti in 1945 and they married on April 19, 1947 in Topeka. She worked at Crosby Brothers Appliance Center for 3 years. She was a homemaker for 16 years and then worked for the State of Kansas for 17 years before retiring in 1985.
Survivors include her husband, Ernest of 63 years of Topeka; two sons, James L. (Donna) Laurenti of Bellevue, NE and Anthony M. (Brenda) Laurenti of Topeka; a daughter, Lisa (Richard) McCracken; four grandchildren, Joane, Julia, Laney and Kevin; and four great-grandchildren, Halia, Olivia, Cole, and Remi. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Lillian and Irene and her brother, Frank and a granddaughter, Gina.
She loved dancing to the Big Bands and Polka, sewing and designing her own dresses and formal gowns for many years. Her children and grandchildren were very dear to her.
Funeral ceremonies will be 10 a.m., Friday, June 25, 2010 at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Ave, Topeka, KS. Interment will follow at the Czech-Moravian Cemetery, north of Rossville KS. Mrs. Laurenti will lie in state after 3 p.m., Thursday at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m. A rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Czech-Moravian Cemetery Fund, c/o Robert W. Olejnik, 14721 NW 86th, Rossville, KS 66533.