08/25/2026
Mary Jane Kroulik
Mary Jane Kroulik, 75, of Kasson, MN passed away on Monday, August 24, 2026.
Mary Jane Malone Kroulik was born on October 2, 1950, in Stambaugh, Michigan, to Deloris (Anderson) Malone and Peter Malone. She graduated from Stambaugh High School and went on to proudly serve her country in the United States Navy. She attended Yeoman School in Newport, Rhode Island. Upon graduating, she received her orders to Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Honolulu, Hawaii. A slight shock to the family, her mother responded, “You must be mistaken, my dear.” She proudly served as an E5 Second Class legal secretary in the US Navy JAG Corps. It was in Honolulu that a handsome fella named Ivan Kroulik caught her eye and she fell in love.
On the island of Oahu, Mary Jane and Ivan began their life together and welcomed their first daughter, Molly. They eventually returned to the mainland, where Mary Jane attended college in Moorhead, Minnesota, earning a degree in Stenography.
The family later settled in Kasson, Minnesota, where Mary Jane and Ivan planted their roots and welcomed two more daughters, Katie and Patricia. She created a home filled with love, laughter, creativity, fun messes, music, and homemade caramel rolls. The door was always open, all were welcome, and countless memories were made.
Mary Jane had an extraordinary gift for working with children. Her gentle nature, patience, and ability to make children feel welcome and valued left a lasting impression on every child she worked with. She was instrumental in starting the KM Nursery group, where she shared her love of learning and her belief in the importance of giving children a caring place to grow. She continued her work with children in Early Childhood Special Education at Kasson-Mantorville Community Education. She was dedicated to the children she worked with. Her colleagues called her their “wise old owl”.
Faith was also an important part of Mary Jane's life. She was an active and devoted member of her church, serving as a eucharistic minister and Sunday School teacher. Her faith was reflected not only in her church service but in the compassion she showed to others and the many ways she made a difference in their lives.
Mary Jane was a true believer in giving back to her community. She volunteered often and unselfishly shared her time. Some of her favorites included driving for the Veterans Association, serving as an election judge for local elections, and delivering for Meals on Wheels. Whether serving her country, church, community, or her family, she gave of herself freely and without seeking recognition or anything in return.
Mary Jane found joy in the simple, meaningful things in life. She loved traveling and learning about history, listening to music, baking, gardening, and most of all, spending time with family and friends. She was a proud member of the MN Historical Society, The American Swedish Institute, MPR, National Parks, Dodge County Historical Society among others. She had a creative spirit, a generous heart, and a way of making the people around her feel cared for and loved.
Above all else, Mary Jane was a mom. Our Mom Bomb. Her daughters were at the center of her world, and her love for them was unwavering. Her family will remember her not only for all that she did, but for who she was- the warmth she brought into a room, the stories she shared, the traditions she created, and the love she gave so freely. Any dreams we had, she supported. She truly believed we could be anything we wanted to be. Proud president of our fan club, there were no dreams too big.
Mary Jane leaves behind a legacy of service, faith, creativity, kindness, and love that will continue on through her family and all those fortunate enough to have known her.
She is survived by her husband, Ivan Kroulik; daughters, Molly Kroulik-Bigelow and her husband Patrick Bigelow, Katie Kroulik and her husband Tim Supol, and Patty Kroulik; grandchildren, Andrew Patrick Bigelow, Elizabeth Margaret Bigelow, Kate Patricia Bigelow, Ruby Jane Malone Supol, and Henriette Agnes Supol; sister, Patty Cowell (John Cowell); and many extended family members and dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Deloris (Anderson) and Peter Malone; mother-in-law, Pat Kroulik; father-in-law, Ted Kroulik; and her birds, Crackerjack, Lucky, Lucky 2, and Ndege.
A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 4, 2026, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1904 Mantorville Ave N in Kasson, MN with Father John Lasuba officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to her mass at the church. Interment will be in Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, MN.
For those attending the mass, the family encourages you to dress casually or wear your favorite polo shirt. In lieu of flowers, the family invites memorials to the Dodge County Food Shelf and the Jeremiah Program.
To share a special memory or condolence please visit www.czaplewskifuneralhomes.com, Czaplewski Family Funeral Homes, 801 7th St SE Kasson, MN 55940 (507) 634-6510. Blessed be her memory.
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