Obituary of Christina "Kristine" (Otrupcak) Bucenec

LITTLE FALLS – Christina "Kristine" (Otrupcak) Bucenec,  age 96, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 24, 2018, in Bassett Medical Center, Little Falls Hospital, after a long illness.

Born on November 7, 1921, in Herkimer, New York, Kristine was the fifth child of the late Stephen and Anna (Mizerak) Otrupcak. Kristine was a proud graduate of Little Falls High School, ‘Class of 1940.’ On July 7, 1943, she married Daniel Bucenec, in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Jefferson Street, Little Falls. They were happily married for 62 years before Dan passed away in 2006. She was employed for many years by the (former) Salada Tea Company, Little Falls.

Kristine is survived by her daughter, Jean; son, Daniel Steven; son-in-law, Stanley; beloved grandchildren, Daniel Thomas (Gretchen), Holly (John) and Alex; three great-grandchildren, Jack, Chase and Quinn; her sister, Elaine Kroll; brothers, Paul and Mike; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Dan; sisters, Ann, Sue, Betty, Katherine and Eva; and brothers, Steve and John.

Kristine always put her family first and asked very little for herself. Spending time with her grandchildren gave her great joy and she was affectionately called GM by them. She loved cooking in the Slovak tradition, especially for the holidays, was an avid reader, and enjoyed her flower gardens, bird watching and looking at the night sky. She and Dan had a camp at Piseco Lake for many years where family gathered during the summer and where she and Dan rode their snow mobiles in the winter. She and Dan always welcomed extended family into their home on Danube Street, Little Falls, where many special or impromptu gatherings were held.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 1, 2018, at 11:00 AM at the Enea Family Funeral Home, 24 West Monroe Street, Little Falls, with Rev. Joseph Famulare officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. A calling hour will be held prior to the funeral service, from 10 until 11 AM.

The family is asking that in lieu of flowers a contribution be made to one of the following: Alzheimer’s Association of Central New York, 441 West Kirkpatrick Street, Syracuse, NY 13204, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 512 East Gansevoort Street, Little Falls, NY 13365, or to the Little Falls Public Library, 10 Waverly Place, Little Falls, NY 13365. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Arrangements by Funeral Directors Harry & Kevin Enea and Martin Ciaccia. (315) 823-2424. An online memorial page in honor of Kristine has been established at www.eneafamily.com on the Internet.