Obituary of Barbara Kus

Barbara M. Kus (nee Wood)

Barbara M. Kus, age 79, of Plainfield, IL and formerly Chicago, IL, passed peacefully at home, on Thursday morning, July 22, 2021.

Barbara was the oldest child of the late Loretta (Pietrzyk) and Robert Wood.  She grew up in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood and attended Gage Park High School where she graduated with the class of 1959.  In 1963 she married Richard Kus at Holy Cross Church in Chicago and together they raised a family of six children.  Barbara had many friends who knew her as positive, faithful, and honest.  For many years she was a member of St. Simon’s parish in Chicago and later St. Mary Immaculate Parish in Plainfield, IL. As collective memories go, Barbara only missed Sunday mass once in her life - the day that she gave birth to her youngest child, Audrey.  During the height of the pandemic, Barbara watched mass on TV; services offered by Cardinal Blase Cupich at Holy Name Cathedral were a source of comfort and strength.  

In addition to her beloved husband of nearly 58 years, she is survived by her daughters and son, Laura (Joseph), Richard (Gina), Karen and Audrey (Anthony); eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; her brother, Robert (Mary) Wood and several nieces and nephews.

Barbara was preceded in death by her daughter Donna Valskis, her son, Robert Kus; and her grandson, Luke Barrera.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd), Joliet. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday morning, July 28, 2021, at 9:30 a.m. from the funeral home to St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Church, 129 S. Division St., Plainfield, IL, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Justice, IL

For more information please call (815) 741-5500 or visit www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.