Barbara (Thelen) Kurkowski, age 68, of DeWitt, MI passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Born to Bruno and Jean Thelen of Westphalia, MI, Barb loved to talk and reminisce about the Thelen Blueberry Patch and her hometown. She enjoyed watching a good soccer game and any marching band performing, especially the DeWitt High School marching band. She loved to bask in the summer sun unless it was too hot. You could always find her reading one of many Chicken Soup for the Soul books or completing a word search. Mostly, she loved her daughter Theresia and talked about her any chance she got. 

Barb is preceded in death by her parents Bruno and Jean Thelen; grandparents John and Theresia Thelen, and Joseph and Amelia “Nettie” Trieweiler; brother-in-law John Wirth; nephew Noah Thelen; and other family and friends. She is survived by her daughter Theresia (Bill) Boylan; siblings Sandy (Keith) Kohut, Bob Thelen, Dorothy (Carl) Pohl, Charlie (Sherry) Thelen, Tony (Angie) Thelen, and Shirley (Perry) Thelen; and many extended family and friends. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at The Catholic Community of St. Jude in DeWitt, MI on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with a luncheon to follow at St. Francis Retreat Center. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Barb’s name to the DeWitt Band Boosters or the Catholic Community of St. Jude. Online condolences may be made at www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com.