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EAGLE LAKE – Many residents in the city are mourning the loss of a longtime staple in the community as Mary Ann Kaluza, passionately called the “Secretary of Eagle Lake” by friends, passed away on April 15. The lifetime resident made an impact on the town she called home from birth, leading Mayor Tim Kelley to sign a proclamation naming April 23 as Mary Ann Kaluza Day.
This proclamation was signed to show appreciation for a resident that had entrenched herself in the community and found ways to support and volunteer whenever she could.
She was able to assist her neighbors through her full-time career as a property and auto insurance agent for 50 years between two companies in town. At age 72, she took a step down from her position as the manager of the Eagle Lake Branch for Baumgart Agency to spend more time with her family, travel and support her community.
Throughout Kaluza’s career, she still made time to impact the community.
Kaluza found importance in volunteering and supporting entities around town dedicated to increasing the quality of life in Eagle Lake. She served in several charitable and community service organizations during a life centered around giving back.
Each organization she found herself working with was entirely focused on improving the community through service or other contributions. She was a part the Downtown Association, the Garden Guild, the Preservation Association, Friends of the Library and Revitalize Eagle Lake, all targeted towards the advancement or beautification of the town she had called home throughout her 74 years of life.
Kaluza contributed secretarial duties to many of the organizations she was involved with, earning the moniker ‘The Secretary of Eagle Lake’ from friends and family.
According to the proclamation, her character was usually regarded highly as the Catholic- faith follower “earned the admiration and highest regard of all she came into contact with,” making a reputation for helping others as a public servant for Eagle Lake.
The proclamation states that Kaluza’s years servicing the town displayed “exemplary dedication to the best interests of the community” and the organizations she supported.
As the city honors the life and memory of a significant part of Eagle Lake through this recognition, the spirit of service and love for others Kaluza had in her life is the legacy she has left behind.
