MaryAnn Samuelson (Kulzer) age 96 of Greenwald, MN, died peacefully on May 22nd, 2021, at the Arden Court Memory Care Community in Northbrook, IL. Known as “Mae” to her siblings and Auntie Mae to many, she was born on the family farm on December 19, 1924 to Bernard and Catherine (Caspers) Kulzer. After moving to Chicago and graduating as a registered nurse from St. Joseph School of Nursing in 1960, Mae became a lay missionary with the International Catholic Auxiliary and worked for five years in India with the leprosy community. After returning to Chicago, Mae received a Masters Degree from Loyola University. On February 13, 1971 Mae was united in marriage to Allan Samuelson until his death in 2001. Mae worked at The Cradle in Evanston, IL for many years, and dedicated the majority of her career to Chicago Public Schools teaching classes for the Practical Nurse Program. She retired at the age of 80, and enjoyed taking public transportation from Bethany Home to all places near and far in Chicago.
MaryAnn was a kind, humble soul, who worked hard, lived simply, and was known for her faith, kindness, compassion, and generosity.
Mae was loved and will be missed by all those whose lives were touched. She is survived by her sister, Irma “Amy” (Patras), and her many nieces and nephews. Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Allan; parents Bernard and Catherine (Caspers) Kulzer; and siblings Alois, Nick, LeRoy, Anthony, Leona (Zehrer), Renee (Mergen), and Monica (Joaquim).
We would like to express our most sincere gratitude for all who cared for Mae later in life as her Alzheimer’s disease progressed. We will be forever grateful to all the wonderful doctors, nurses, caregivers, Advocate hospice nurses, and frontline workers and staff at Bethany Home and Arden Courts who cared so lovingly for Mae and for the support they provided our family.
Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, June 4th at 10:00 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (3834 N. Spaulding Avenue, Chicago). Visitation will be held prior to the Mass and will begin at 9:30 a.m. Interment immediately following at Elmwood Cemetery (2905 N. Thatcher Road, River Grove, IL). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Alzheimer's Association. COVID restrictions will be strictly adhered to. For information please call 773-588-5850 or visit www.cooneyfuneralhome.com
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