Cecilia M. Kirkegaard, 88, died early Tuesday morning, Dec.18, 2007, after waging a courageous battle the past several months from cancer. Cecilia (Cece or Cele) was born in 1919, in Garden, Mich., the daughter of Herman and Louise Saladin. In 1926 the family moved to Lake Linden, where Cecilia attended St. Joseph Grade School and graduated from Lake Linden - Hubbell High School. After high school, Cecilia moved with her sister, Mary Louise, to St. Paul, Minn. After the war they both returned to the Copper Country. Cecilia lived with Mary Louise, her husband Edward Denninger and niece, Charlotte while she worked at Bruno's until moving to Detroit in 1950, where she met and later married Tony Kirkegaard. Cecilia and Tony made their home in Ferndale where she resided for over 50 years. Cecilia work for Detroit Bank and Trust until she was needed to care for her ill mother. After her mother's death, Cecilia became a volunteer at St. James School, Ferndale, in the Library. She and her husband Tony chaperoned many student events and were blessed by the friendship of the students. Students called them Mr. & Mrs. K. They were longtime members of St. James Church and later adopted several other churches as their parishes, specifically in Poletown. Both Cecilia and Tony were active supporters to keep the Catholic Churches in Poletown and the inner city open. She cared for her husband Tony for many years until his death. Since then she continued to be an active part of St. Justin's Church in Hazel Park, St. Hyacinth in Detroit and Our Lady of Fatima in Oak Park. Cece was a member of The St. Hyacinth Senior Club, Ferndale Seniors and Our Lady of Fatima 50 Plus Club. She and Tony enjoyed their travel outings with their senior clubs. Preceding her in death besides her parents and husband were brothers, Norbert (Hutch), and Paul; sisters, Jeanette Sustarich, Mary Louise Denninger and Betty Marcotte. In laws, Agnes Saladin, Joseph Sustarich, Edward Denninger and dear nephew, Peter Michael (Mickey) Sustarich. Cecilia is survived by her sister in law, Madelyn Saladin of White Pine; brother in law, Russell Marcotte of Racine, WI; sisters in law, Betty (Percy) Gunderson of Ellsworth, WI; Ellen Houts of Chippewa Falls, WI; niece, Charlotte Larson of Troy and her great niece, Kimberley (Sean) Farrell of Westland, and their children, Nicholas Edward and Samantha Paige Farrell; also numerous nieces, nephews, Godchildren, great nieces and nephews. Their will be no visitation. Arrangements by Spaulding & Curtin Funeral Home, Ferndale. Funeral Mass will be on Thursday 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Oak Park, with the Rev. Father Paul Chateau, Father Bob from St. Justin Catholic Church, Hazel Park and Father Janusz from St. Hyacinth Catholic Church concelebrating the Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: St. Joseph Church Restoration Fund, 701 Calumet St., Lake Linden, MI 49945; or Our Lady of Fatima, St. Vincent De Paul Fund, 13500 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park, Mi 48237; or. St. Hyacinth's Restoration Fund, 3151 Farnsworth, Detroit, MI; or St. Justin's Restoration Fund, 1600 E. Evelyn, Hazel Park, MI 48030.
Published in The Daily Tribune on Dec. 19, 2007.
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