She was glowing in the hours of her passing. What a beautiful reminder of her love to us all.
Tanes was born on May 5, 1948, to her parents Zaida and Giovani. She was the second of seven children. Tanes tended to her younger siblings at a young age of 16, starting her lifelong commitment to serving others.
As a young adult, she met her future husband, Claudino Koakowski in the workplace. They married in 1971 starting a loving and devoted union to one another that has lasted over 55 years. From the very beginning of their relationship, they were drawn to a servant life. Participating in many ministries in the Catholic Church, with their home church being Nossa Senhora do Trabalho, in Porto Alegre, Brasil.
Tanes was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Sonia and Sirlei, and one brother Daniel. She is survived by her sisters, Cleia and Nina, and brother Marcos.
Tanes is also survived by her husband, Claudino, son Rafael Koakowski and loving daughter-in-law Paula, daughter Claudia Kempf and loving son-in-law Ron Kempf, daughter Karla Koakowski, and youngest daughter Fernanda Havemann and loving son-in-law Darrell.
She was blessed with six grandchildren Isabella, Sophia, Nathan, Olivia, Benjamin, and Elizabeth. She is also survived by her close nieces Caroline Koakowski with spouse Federico, Juliane Kubyczewski and grand nieces Catarina and Camilla.
Tanes and Claudino along with their four children, moved to many areas of the United States after their initial arrival. Tanes endlessly championed and encouraged her husband in his endeavors. She established a standard for her children of devotion to the sacrament of marriage living it out in all her ways.
Tanes had a servant heart so strong that has had exponential effect on all who met her.
Tanes valiantly steered the helm of the Koakowski family through the numerous challenges faced in a new country. She took on the role of cultivating the family values during many challenges of adjusting to a new culture and language. Yet, keeping the traditional values of faith and family as the cornerstone of her parenting approach.
Tanes loved to enjoy her days with music, dancing, baking “pao”, painting, and chatting endlessly with loved ones. But her favorite time was spent with her forever boyfriend (namorado Eterno), Claudino. In their 55 years of dating one another, they enjoyed playing canasta until the dawn hours, traveling to many beach towns, and hours of conversation together. Who else could take multiple 20 hour road trips without a radio together and arrive even closer and more in love then when they departed?
Tanes Koakowski’s goodness, gentleness, servitude, and faith will forever be remembered and will have a lasting effect for generations to come.
Rosary will be Monday, March 31st, in the chapel prior to the Funeral Mass at Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Church located at 18511 Klein Church Road, Spring TX, 77379. Funeral Mass will begin at 10 am in the main Church, with a small reception to follow in the Social Hall.
Burial will be at Forest Park The Woodlands Cemetery, 18000 IH 45S, The Woodlands, Tx at 3pm Monday March 31st
In lieu of flowers our family would like to donate in the name of Tanes Koakowski to Santuario Nossa Senhora do Trabalho, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil – This is the Church that our family grew up in, and the Church where Tanes continues to impact for over 35 years. Please contact one of the family members for additional information.
