Grace Irene (Kucera) Konerza

Grace Irene Konerza, age 87 of Silver Lake, Minnesota died Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at New Perspectives Memory Care in Waconia.  She was born December 27, 1933 on the family farm in Hutchinson.  She was the daughter of Arthur and Christine (Hlavka) Kucera. 

Grace was baptized and confirmed at Czech Brethren Presbyterian Church in Silver Lake and continued to be a faithful, lifelong member.  She received her education in Hutchinson graduating from Hutchinson High School.  Grace was a 50-year member of the ZCBJ Lodge. 

On October 22, 1952, Grace was united in marriage to Kenneth Konerza at Czech Brethren Presbyterian Church.  Their marriage was blessed with two sons, Gerald and Gordon.  They lived and worked on the family farm in Silver Lake. Grace and Kenneth celebrated 49 years together before Kenneth’s death in 2001. 

Grace loved being a farm wife, mother, and most of all, a grandmother.  She planted huge gardens and shared the bounty with friends and neighbors.  Grace enjoyed visiting with friends and family always answering the door with a smile and a hug.  Her grandchildren were the joy of her life.  Unfortunately, suffering from Alzheimer’s for 10 years deprived her of the joy of knowing her great-grandchildren.  Grace lived at home on the family farm cared for by her son Gerald until his death in September 2021.  She then moved to New Perspectives Memory Care in Waconia until the time of her death.

Grace is survived by her son Gordon (Wanda) Konerza of Prior Lake;  grandchildren Ellen (Abe) Konerza of Minneapolis, Ross (Rochelle) Konerza of Waconia, and Elise (David) Vrchota of Apple Valley;  great-grandchildren Brayden and Rylee Konerza and Carter Vrchota; sister-in-law Sandy Kucera; and other family and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Kenneth, son Gerald, sister Doris Dvorak and husband Edward, brother Archie Kucera,