Celia V. Kodanko, age 91, of 17502 Hwy. M-35, McFarland died Monday morning May 21, 2007 following a lengthy illness at the Christian Park Health Care Center in Escanaba where she had been a resident for the past six years.

Celia was born August 9, 1915 in Defiance, MI the daughter of John and Matilda (LaBresh) Lusardi and she was raised in the Rock area.  Growing up Celia cooked in the area sawmills.  She loved to play baseball and everyone always wanted her on their team because of her baseball abilities.  In 1932 Celia was united in marriage to Earl Englund at the age of 17.  Together they had seven children.  Earl preceded her in death in 1959.

Following Earl’s death, Celia bought a tavern where she met her future husband Joe Kodanko.  They were married on June 23, 1972 and they sold the business and made their home in McFarland.  After the children were grown, Joe and Celia traveled throughout Michigan and Wisconsin.

Celia was a member of the Gwinn United Methodist Church, a 42 year member of the Gladstone American Legion Post #71 Auxiliary and a member of the Gladstone Yacht Club for over 40 years.  Her hobbies included dancing and cooking for her family.  Her family fondly remembers her Christmas and Easter dinners, she will be sadly missed.

In addition to her husband Joe, survivors include:

4 Sons: Duane (Diana) Englund of McFarland; Donald (Patricia) Englund of Skandia; Stanley Englund of Rock; Ronald (Mary Jane) Englund of Hartford, WI

3 Daughters:Louise (Tom) Sherbinow of Skandia; Dorothy (Donald) Sryjanen of Rock; Carrie Lampinen of Gladstone

2 Sisters:Amelia Gryzbowski of Escanaba; Ellen (Ernest) Trosvig of Marquette

Numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her parents and first husband she was preceded in death by:

2 brothers: Andrew and Adlore Lusardi

Son-in-law: Raymond Lampinen

Celia’s family will receive friends on Thursday from 3:00 to 5:45 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone.  Gladstone American Legion Post #71 Auxiliary services will follow at 5:45 PM.  Funeral services celebrating the life of Celia Kodanko will follow at 6:00 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home with Rev. Geri Hamlen of the Gwinn United Methodist Church officiating.  Luncheon will follow at the Gladstone American Legion Hall.  Burial will be on Friday at 10:00 AM at the Hillview Cemetery in McFarland.