Gail Klukos' Obituary
Gail Klukos, age 74, of Grand Haven, passed away unexpectedly Friday,
January 30, 2026, after a brief stay in the hospital. She was born
January 7, 1952 in Meriden, CT to Harmon and Mary (VanHall) Smith. In
her teen years, her family relocated to Grand Haven, Michigan. On
November 2, 1984 she married her beloved husband, Gerald Klukos.
Gail worked as a Certified Nurse’s Aide at the Grand Rapids Home for
Veterans until March 2013. She was a strong advocate for veteran care
and deeply enjoyed her time at the VA, NOCH, and home health care.
Family was of utmost importance to Gail. She was the proud mother of
an athlete, giving generously of her time. She made certain her son was where he needed to be when he needed to be there and never missed a meet. As an avid supporter of public safety and law enforcement, it was her honor to be the mother of a local police officer. She boasted of Dave’s accomplishments both in and outside of the line of duty. Her grandkids were her heart, her everything. She attended every graduation, recital, concert, and sporting event. Doting on her grandchildren brought her deep joy and a sense of purpose.
Gail loved camping and traveling, especially to visit Jill and her out-of-state family. Second to her family was her love of the beach. Gail’s favorite pastimes were reading, home improvement projects, hobby crafting, and mastering new recipes in the kitchen. If she wasn’t nose-deep in a book or prepping meals and desserts to bring the family together, she was working on a home project or a special craft. She enjoyed making gifts for her family - her latest undertaking being custom piggy banks for her grandchildren. Gail will be sorely missed and fondly remembered.
Gail is survived by her husband of 41 years, Gerald; three children: Dave
(Tina) Scott, Dena (Jeff) Dunn, and Gerald, Jr (Karyn) Klukos; four
grandchildren: Jude, Cees, Teia, and Eden; two siblings: Kathy (Jerry)
Comstock, and Peter (Nance) Smith; in-laws: Dan Klukos, Warren
(Debbie) Klukos, Sam (Stacey) Klukos, Sandy (Bob) Huff, and many
cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her
brother- and sister-in-law, Hank and Robbie Klukos, and her parents,
Harmon and Mary (VanHall) Smith and Henry and Evelyn (Kelava)
Klukos.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, March 19, 2026, at
The VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 620
Washington Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417. Visitation will be held one
hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in
memory of Gail may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Please sign the family’s online guestbook at Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services
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