Liana Bush-Walczynski

Liana Marie Bush-Walczynski, 76, passed away unexpectedly Friday July 17, 2020. She was born in Duluth on July 26th, 1943 to August and Lauretta Klimek. She grew up in West Duluth and graduated from Denfeld High School in 1961. On May 1st, 1965, she married Marston Bush and they were able to enjoy 23 wonderful years together.  Liana worked at home, raising their three children.  After being widowed at age 45, Liana began working outside the home at Pam's Hallmark in the Miller Hill Mall, and enjoyed helping her customers. She went to Lake Superior College and completed the Health Unit Coordinator certificate program. She also worked at Newman's Pharmacy in West End.  While working there, her friendship with Frank Walczynski began. Over time they built a strong, loving, caring connection and they were married on October 12th, 1997.  Liana had only spent 3 ½ happy years married to Frank when she was widowed for the second time.  Liana was a long-time member of Holy Family Catholic Church, as well as the Rosary Society.  Her Faith was very important to her, and something she lived fully every day.  She attended mass every weekend, led the Rosary before weekday masses, and participated in Scripture groups. She spent time every week sitting in the church praying, as she straightened the books. She also co-led a weekly Rosary group with residents at Viewcrest nursing home.  Throughout her life, Liana was a caregiver.  She began babysitting at a young age, caring for her younger siblings and neighborhood kids. She provided care for both of her husbands during their battles with cancer, and helped to care for her mother, who had suffered a broken hip.  She did whatever she could to help others by giving rides, sharing thoughts and ideas, being on the phone all night talking someone through a problem, and praying. If she didn't know how else to help, she always prayed.  Liana held a special talent for using her hands. You knew you held a special place in her heart if you were graced with one of her hand-made quilts, afghans or yearly Christmas ornaments. She also loved to bake.  For many, many years she made dozens and dozens of cookies, along with bars, fudge, and candy at Christmas time to bring to people and brighten their Holidays- always telling her children, "Don't touch the cookies until everything gets packed up!"  Then it became a cookie free-for-all.   She also enjoyed playing "secret Santa" for her neighbors, a tradition she held dear for many years.

Liana enjoyed making and decorating cakes for people. Birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, character cakes, car shaped- she made them all look amazing!  Though she would say she wasn't musical, Liana played the organ beautifully. She would sit at the organ and play until her fingers got sore. Church hymns were a favorite of hers.  Liana had many pen pals across the country that she wrote to regularly and had built some great friendships through the years.  She had "Monday morning coffee" regularly with friends from Scripture group,  she looked forward to "lunch with the ladies" almost monthly, and had weekly "breakfast therapy" with her long time friend and neighbor, Ray.  Liana shared her love, laughter, smiles, support, advice, jokes, and many, many wonderful memories.  Her death will leave a large hole in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Liana was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Marston, and her husband Frank.  She is survived by her son Marty (Lauri Sanford), daughters Callie (Jim) BushMiller, and Chandra (Dan) Johnson.  Grandchildren- Jared Bush, Brianna Sanford,  Andrew Bush, Valvano and Karston BushMiller, and BreighAnna and Brooke Miller.  Great-grandchildren- Aubree, Ivy, and Asher.   Siblings- Dr. David (Ginny) Klimek, Daniel (Judy) Klimek, and Laurelen Klimek.  Three nieces, two nephews, countless cousins, many, many dear friends and her very special "extra kid," Roni Lundin (and her family).  Visitation Monday, July 27 from 10 until the 11am Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Family Catholic Church. 2430 West 3rd Street, Duluth.  Burial at Oneota Cemetery.  Arrangements by Williams-Lobermeier-Boettcher Funeral Home.