Stephanie Ginger (Garbacz) Kozak

Obituary's Biography:

Stephanie Ginger (Garbacz) Kozak, age 61, passed away as the sun rose on her new life in the morning hours of Saturday, August 13, 2022.

Stephanie, commonly known as Ginger by family and friends since birth, was born November 2, 1960, the youngest of seven children of the late Flavia and Ignatius Garbacz.  She grew up in the Humboldt Park area of Chicago where she attended both Ryerson and Reilly Elementary Schools and broke barriers as one of the first female classes attending Lane Tech High School.  She had a 10 year career at Washington National Insurance in Evanston during which time she earned a Bachelor Degree in Accounting at Northeastern Illinois University and attained her CPA.   In 1990 she married Craig Kozak with whom she had two daughters, Jennifer and Jessica, during which time they lived in Third Lake, IL.  She was a loving, caring mother, champion of the household, and volunteer of her time.  She had the “biggest heart and mostest love”.  She enjoyed trips to Hawaii, hiking, reading, puzzles, computer games, watching Harry Potter, outings with her lady friends, being silly and having fun.  She later moved to Round Lake, IL with her oldest daughter Jennifer.  She was always ready to open her heart to others and loved deeply.  She fought a brave multi-year battle against breast cancer and can now rest peacefully.   

Her memory lives on through her daughters Jennifer and Jessica; her sister Lois; brothers Michael (wife Margaret)  and Joseph; former husband and father of her children Craig Kozak; many nieces and nephews; and relatives, former in-laws, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her sisters Phyllis, Michele, and Jenine.  

Visitation will be Wednesday, August 17,  4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Strang Funeral Home, 410 East Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL.  

Funeral will be Thursday, August 18, commencing at Strang Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m.  then going to St. Gilbert’s Catholic Church, 301 E. Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL for 11:00 a.m. Funeral Mass. For more information please log onto www.strangfuneral.org or contact (847)223-8122.