Loretta V. Kruczek Gressens, 81, of Shenandoah, passed away peacefully Tuesday morning at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill E. Norwegian Street.

Born in Shenandoah, Dec. 13, 1935, she was a daughter of the late Andrew and Catherine Kielbasa Kruczek.

She was a 1953 graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School, Shenandoah.

Prior to her retirement, Loretta was an administrative assistant for various institutions and companies including the State Correctional Institution/Mahanoy, the former Ashland State General Hospital and Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.

She was a member of Divine Mercy Parish, Shenandoah, and a lifelong member of St. Casimir Church.

Loretta was a generous woman who loved and lived for her family. She never missed an opportunity to be with them and especially enjoyed holiday gatherings.

Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, were her husband, Robert Gressens, on Oct. 17, 2001; six brothers, Joseph "Midge," Edward, John, Boley, Andrew and Frank Kruczek; four sisters, twins Mary V. and Rose A. Kruczek, Elsie Witek Wittic and Jean Jurewicz.

Surviving are nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and their families and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Casimir's Church, 229 N. Jardin St., Shenandoah, the sacred worship site of Divine Mercy Parish. Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian, pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow in St. Casimir Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. Relatives and friends may call from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Casimir Church.

Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Father Walter J. Ciszek Chapel Memorial Fund or Divine Mercy Parish Memorial Fund, both c/o 108 W. Cherry St., Shenandoah, PA 17976.

Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah, is in charge of the arrangements.