Genevieve M. Kotecki, 81
Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend passed away at home on Wednesday, September 24, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Her family was at her side when she passed away.
She was born June 14, 1927 on a sheep ranch in a Basque community near Glasgow to Peter and Mary Jane Caricaburu. She attended grade and high school in Glasgow graduating in 1944. She continued her education at the Columbus Hospital School of Nursing in Great Falls, MT and graduated in 1947.
Genevieve was a wonderful and compassionate nurse, working at the Columbus Hospital in Great Falls and Veterans Administration Hospitals in Lincoln, NE and Cheyenne, WY. On November 4, 1950, she married Lawrence Kotecki in Lincoln, NE at St. Theresa�s Church. They raised their five children while living in Lincoln, NE, Cheyenne WY, Kuwait, and Wheat Ridge, CO. After returning from Kuwait, she accepted a nursing position at the Wheat Ridge Colorado Regional Center for the Developmentally Delayed.
They retired to Bigfork in 1985 where they built a beautiful home overlooking the Swan Mountain Range. They enjoyed their retirement life in Bigfork for 22 years. In July 2007, they moved back to Colorado to be near family.
Genevieve was a very spiritual woman and her faith was an important part of her life. She was very active in volunteer work at St. Catherine's and Pope John Paul II Catholic Churches in Bigfork and the Samaritan House in Kalispell. She was admired for her compassion and loving and nurturing nature - a true friend to all.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers John Caricaburu and Leonard Caricaburu.
She is survived by her husband Larry of Westminster, CO and their five children; David Kotecki and wife Lynn of Arvada, CO; Jean Kotecki and husband Dennis Ohlrogge of Arvada, CO; Daniel Kotecki and wife Diana of Perth, Australia; Nancy Kotecki-Cole and husband Robert of Lakewood, CO; Karen Kotecki and husband Lawrence Mauch of Ft. Collins, CO; sister, Alice Bongiani of Bigfork, MT; sister, Marion Caricaburu of Denver, CO; sister Grace Krall of Reno, NV; sister Hellen Dyba of Billings, MT; numerous nieces and nephews; and nine beloved grandchildren: Kayla, Courtney, Ciara, Kelsey, Emily, Dane, Joe, Madison, and Leah.
The family suggests that memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society.