Josephine “Jo” Uniak, 98, of Kansas City, Kansas, passed away peacefully late Tuesday night, May 21, 2024 at Credo Senior Living in Basehor, Ks.
She was born August 14, 1925 to George and Helen (Delic) Dolinar in KCK on Strawberry Hill. Jo was a former member of Christ the King Church in KCK where she often attended daily mass until unable to do so and was a member of the Altar Society and Bereavement Committee. Although Jo was a long time CTK member, she always held fond memories of St. John's as her “home parish” and often spoke about this time in her last years of life.
Services will take place on Thursday, May 30, 2024 at St. John the Baptist Church, with a Visitation beginning at 11:00 am – Noon, Mass of Christian Burial beginning at Noon and burial service in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum. A luncheon will follow at Bishop Ward High School Cafeteria. Jo attended St. John the Baptist Grade School and graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1943. Jo was married to her husband, Ray Uniak on February 9, 1946 and celebrated 63 years of marriage when he preceded her in death on July 24, 2009.
Very typical of her generation, Jo was an accomplished seamstress who made numerous outfits and did alterations for her kids and grandkids. She worked several outside jobs while raising her family but was most proud of her time as a receptionist for a group of doctors in the 18thStreet Medical Building in KCK where she retired after 25 years of service. She often said that she always wanted to be a nurse and that this job succeeded in coming as close to that as possible. Jo also was the last surviving member of “The Card Club”. This six-couple group met once a month rotating between households for card/game playing for decades, supporting each other through happy and sad times, planning family group activities, Lake of the Ozark weekends, cruises and Vegas trips as they became “empty nesters”. Such great memories for all of us!
Josephine was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers Joseph Dolinar, Henry Dolinar, Edward Dolinar and George (Junie) Dolinar; daughter Sharon Laughery and three nephews Dan Gerkovich, Marty Dolinar and Michael Gerkovich. She is survived by her son, Michael Uniak (Marilyn) of Shawnee, Ks; Linda Millhouse (Mike) and Mary Beth McCarty (Gary) both of KCK; sister, Rose Marie Gerkovich of Perrysburg, Ohio; eight grandchildren; ten great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Jo had a special relationship with the Schwind family whom she cared about deeply.
Special thanks to all the caregivers at Credo Senior Living and Ascend Hospice for their compassionate care during her residence and declining health. The family requests no flowers and suggest contributions to Ascend Hospice or St John the Baptist Church.
