Herkimer - Mrs. Mary Kluka Sterzin February 12, 1921-January 26, 2009 Mary Kluka Sterzin 87, a lifelong resident of Herkimer, died January 26, 2009 after a long and courageous battle with ovarian cancer. Her family attributed her five year survival with the disease as much to her spirit, faith, and determination as to the excellent medical care she received. She was born in Cullen, NY on February 12, 1921, the daughter of the late Peter and the late Theodosia (Tessie) Tutko Kluka. She was married to Walter Sterzin on August 31, 1940 in SS Peter & Paul Orthodox Church. For 23 years, Mary ran the boys department at Montgomery Ward in Herkimer, a job she pursued in order to guarantee that each of her children could receive the best possible education. She took great pride in her service to customers, keeping an orderly department that catered to the needs of several generations of families who would travel great distances just for her quality care. Mary was a faithful member of SS. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church where she belonged to the St. Ann's Sisterhood, holding many leadership positions over more than 60 years. She taught Sunday School and tirelessly worked to support the church by baking, cooking and organizing rummage sales. She was a charter member of the Federated Russian Orthodox Clubs and an avid bowler, participating in both club tournaments and with the Leisure League. Throughout her life, Mary focused her care and attention on her family, friends, church, and the community of Herkimer. Her home was the center for all holiday celebrations. She and Walter enjoyed traveling, and made several cross country trips during which they made sure to visit family members along the way. After her retirement she volunteered for the Red Cross as well as other church and community services. Mary led a principled and honorable life, characterized by high moral standards, deep faith, and strong commitment to her family. Her remarkable character was best revealed in the way she confronted hardship, with unwavering faith, optimism, strength, grace, and dignity. For 68 years, she was the devoted wife of Walter Sterzin. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughter Diane Mueller and her husband Robert, and son Dennis Sterzin and his wife Elaine. She was the loving grandmother of David Mueller and his wife Nicole, Kristin Mueller, and Emily and Alexander Sterzin. She delighted in her two great-grandsons, Christian and Nathan Mueller. In addition to her immediate family, Mary is survived by her sister Mildred Sviatyla, and her children Daria and Charles Schewe, Melonie and Clifford Herman and Lori and Peter Chin and their children, her brother-in-law Michael Sterzin and his children Kevin and Kim Sterzin and Michelle and Dennis White and their children as well as several cousins. She was pre-deceased by her two sons, David, who died in 1968 and Donald, who died in 1992, her parents, Theodosia and Peter Kluka, brother, SSGT Samuel Kluka, and sister, Helen Hrynda. Her funeral will be held Saturday afternoon at 1:00 from the Petykiewicz, Iocovozzi & Burns Funeral Home, 329 South Washington St. Herkimer, and at 1:30 in SS Peter & Paul Orthodox Church with the V. Rev. Fr. James Jadick, pastor, officiating. Spring interment will be held in SS Peter & Paul Orthodox Cemetery. Calling hours will be Friday from 4 to 8 pm at the Petykiewicz, Iocovozzi & Burns Funeral Home. Parastas will be held Friday evening at 7:30 with Father Jadick officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary's memory may be made to SS. Peter & Paul Church, Main St. East Herkimer, NY 13350, Herkimer Meals-on-Wheels c/o Herkimer County Office on Aging 109 Mary St. Suite 1101, Herkimer, NY 13350 or Valley Health Services 690 West German St. Herkimer, NY 13350.Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. The family extends their gratitude to the many friends who supported Mary during her illness. Expressions of sympathy may be placed on Mary's online memorial page by going to www.iocovozzifuneralhomes.com.