Elaine Mitalas Kowalski's Obituary
Heaven gained another angel on March 24, 2024. Elaine “Lainie” Mitalas Kowalski, born on September 28, 1945, in Wenatchee, WA passed away peacefully in her sleep in Oakbrook, WA. She was a loving, caring, and beautiful woman who always made anyone in her presence feel welcomed and appreciated. Elaine enjoyed spending time with friends and family, traveling within the United States and abroad, going on road trips around Washington state, Oregon coastline, Canada, camping in Swauk Creek near Blewett Pass, and living a retired life with her husband Bill. She also enjoyed sharing fun memories from her childhood, or telling funny stories about her children and husband while she was a military spouse. Toting the kids across the Atlantic to Italy then back to Homestead AFB in Florida where Bill retired from the Air Force in 1980. We made the longest road trip ever that year when we returned to WA. Elaine was proud to share about her children's successes in life, with son Bill serving in the Air Force, daughter Debbie playing the cello, daughter Kathi achieving her goals, and son Matt's successes with college and his career as a carpenter. Elaine always had a special connection with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and she found joy in visiting the Mitalas's in Seattle as well as Annette & Don's property in Easton. Some of her other enjoyments were singing in the church choir at St John Bosco and shopping with her daughters, Debbie and Kathi.
Elaine was an operator with Southwest Bell in Florida and later worked for AT&T in Tacoma. After her time as an operator, she pursued her education and earned an associate degree in business management, followed by a certificate to be a masseuse. Elaine will be greatly missed by her family but will never be forgotten. Her unique laugh will never be silenced!
Elaine will join her father James Milton Mitalas, her mother Angeline Lodema Graves Mitalas, her brother Milton James Mitalas, sister Annette Peters Mitalas and brother-in-law Don Peters in heaven. Her surviving family members are her brother Frank Mitalas (Cyndi), loving devoted husband William Louis Kowalski, children William James Kowalski (Jamie), Deborah Kowalski (Randy), Katherine Serna (Chaz), Matthew Kowalski (Trinette), and Christopher Johnston #5 (Justin). Grandchildren: Michael (Davice), William Joseph “Joey” (Kate), Nicholas, Nathan, Meghan (Matt), Emily, Thomas, Mason, Alexandra “Andi”, Matthew ‘Matty”. Great Grandchildren: Brookline, Elaina, Scarlett, Kaya, Forrest, Hally, Astraea. Last but never least, the Greek side, the many beautiful Mitalas families.
We'd like to thank Golden Angels Adult Family Home and Puget Sound Home Health and Hospice for taking great care of Elaine. Memorial services will be held at Mountain View Funeral Home 4100 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA 98499 on April 27th at 11:30am. A reception will follow.
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