Kowalski Family

Kowalski Family

David Kowalski, Nancy Powning, and Jeani Van Someren established a memorial scholarship to honor their mother, Leota Kowalski, RN. Leota was born on February 22, 1929 in Reese, Michigan to the late Francis and Bertha (LaFleur) Parrent. She married Virgil E. Kowalski in 1950 and he preceded her in death on February 11, 2015. Leota and Virgil had a son, David, and two daughters, Jeani and Nancy. Leota was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Parish – St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church and worked as a registered nurse, nurse instructor and schoolteacher. She attended Saginaw General School of Nursing, Central Michigan University and Michigan State University. Leota was a master gardener, a member of the Bay County Herb Society, Bay City Garden Guild and the Red Hats Society. Leota passed away in January 2020 at the age of 90.

David Kowalski is a graduate of SVSU and former member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, Alumni Advisory Council, a Distinguished Alumni Award winner, and a loyal supporter of his alma mater. Dave’s and his wife, Cindy’s son, Kevin, is also an alumnus of SVSU. Leota was an enthusiastic and generous donor to the Crystal M. Lange College of Health and Human Services until her passing.

Scholarships