Mary A. "Toni" Kuzela

Mary A. “Toni” Kuzela, 85, passed away Thursday, December 6, 2012, at Scottish Rite Park. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m., Monday, December 10, 2012, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 5711 SW 9th Street, with burial to follow at Glendale Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., Sunday, with a rosary at 5:30 p.m. and a vigil at 6 p.m., at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street.

Toni was born October 28, 1927, to Joseph and Mary (Caraccio) Maletta in Centerville, Iowa. She graduated from Centerville High School at the age of 16. Toni moved to Des Moines at age 26 to take a job with Farm Bureau Insurance. Toni always found pride in her work and that was what defined her the most. Toni worked for the Dean of Drake University, Chamberlin, Kirk, and Kline Realty and came to spend 31of her career years at the Stelter Advertising Agency. Even after her retirement, Toni went on to volunteer for different organizations, and of course, her greatest love was the last ten years when she volunteered to be the private secretary for Msgr. Frank Bognanno at Christ the King Catholic Church. Neither rain, snow, or health could keep her from showing up to her job every day. It was her true passion in her later years.

Toni was married to Lester on May 29, 1953, and they built a home and resided on the south side of Des Moines for 56 years. Two children were born to this union, Virginia Brooks of Indianapolis, Indiana and Helen Turner of Des Moines, Iowa.

Toni was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church for 57 years, where she was involved in many of the organizations inside and outside of the church including the Alter and Rosary Society and St. Vincent De Paul. She also served on the Parish Council, helped organize the Christ the King Foundation, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, honorary member of the Knights of the Columbus, and the Legion Auxiliary.

Toni is survived by her brother, Richard Maletta of Longview, FL; daughters, Virginia Brooks and Helen Turner; grandchildren, Christine (Kenny) Buckley of Nashville, TN, Douglas (Brittany) Brooks of Louisville, KY, Stephanie (Adnan) Babic of Des Moines, IA, Ashley (Bryan) Bussanmas of Indianola, IA, Ross Turner (fiance-Liz) of Indianola, IA; great grandchildren, Madeline, Lillian, Miles, Rose, Trysten, Lejla, Riley, Jersey and Briella. Toni was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Christ the King Catholic Church or Scottish Rite Park in loving memory of Toni.

Online condolences may be made at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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