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Her Own Woman

LEONARD POGER

Copy Editor

B

elle F. Kukes refused to pursue traditional
career paths for young women during the
1930s. After high school, she shunned the
teaching or secretarial work followed by most
women at the time.
Instead, she entered what is now Wayne State
University and graduated from its law school in
Detroit.
"It was her sheer will" to enter law school, which
few women did at the time, said her daughter,
Barbara Kratchman of Bloomfield Township. "She
wanted to do something different."
Mrs. Kukes also wanted to pursue her enthusiastic
interest in Jewish issues and topics and was a devot-
ed supporter of Jewish causes and the State of Israel.
Mrs. Kukes, 92, of Bloomfield Hills, died Jan. 27,
2005, of renal failure, a complication after breaking
her hip last month.
Born Oct. 1, 1912, her parents left a village near
Budapest, Hungary, and arrived in the United States
when Belle was 6 months old. They settled in
Detroit.
"My mother was a feisty leady who always spoke
her opinion," Mrs. Kukes' daughter recalled. "She
felt the worst thing you. could do is not have an

MAX APPLEBAUM, 81, died Jan.

30, 2005. He served in World War
II in the European theater and was a
driver of a tank in the 8th Armoured
Tank Division. He was an avid read-
er and loved gardening. He also
traveled with his wife to Israel,
Australia and New Zealand as well
as the Canadian Rockies and the
Scandinavian countries.
Mr. Applebaum retired as a ware-
house manager for Standard Drugs.
After retirement, he worked for the
city of Oak Park, driving senior citi-
zens to appoint-
ments or grocery
shopping. He
also drove a bus
for outings for
children attend-
ing day care and
summer camp.
He is survived
by his wife,
Esther; children,
Applebaum
Marilyn Bennett,
of Santa Fe, N.M., Janet Applebaum
of Oak Park, Dr. Steven and Donna
of Minnesota, Dr. Michael and
Mary of Nampa, Idaho; grandchil-
dren, Ian Bennett of Santa Fe, Sky,

opinion.
"She wasn't afraid of a disagreement. She loved
debates and lively discussions. That was probably
the main reason for entering law school.
"She was interested in intellectual pursuits," her
daughter said. "She wasn't interested in doing the
expected," That trait came from Mrs. Kukes' moth-
er, owner of several properties who was also embold-
ened and empowered, she
added.
Although she completed
law school, where she met her
future husband, Harold
Kukes, they didn't practice
law. Her husband with his
brothers created two nuts-
and-bolts companies that
grew out of selling hardware
out of their cars.
Belle Kukes
Mrs. Kukes grew up in a
very religious environment and that was where she
learned to devote her energies to Jewish groups and
causes, her daughter said. "Her Jewish roots and her-
itage were most meaningful to her.
"My mother lived a life of giving back," she said
referring to her support of Israel and Jewish groups.
At one point, Mrs. Kukes was so highly thought
of in Detroit that she was viewed as "the mascot for

Zachary and Joshua Applebaum of
Oak Park, Noah Applebaum of
Wexford, Pa., Travis and Rachel
Applebaum of Nampa; brother, Dr.
Samuel Applebaum.
Contributions may be made to the
American Cancer Society, Jewish
Hospice, Congregation Shaarey
Zedek or any other charity of one's
choice. Arrangements by Hebrew
Memorial Chapel.

JERRY BAKER, 69, of Detroit, died

Jan. 29, 2005.
He is survived by his mother, Bella
Baker; son and daughter-in-law,
Matthew and Carrie Baker of
Cleveland, Ohio; sisters and broth-
ers-in-law, Roberta and Marvin
Simon of Plantation, Fla., Judy and
Bud Buddenborg of Clinton
Township; grandchildren, Joshua
Baker, Nolan Baker.
Contributions may be made to
Hospice of Michigan, 400 Mack
Ave., Detroit, MI 48201 or Hebrew
Benevolent Society, 26640
Greenfield, Oak Park, MI 48237.
Services and interment at Hebrew
Memorial Park. Arrangements by
Hebrew Memorial Chapel.

the Jewish Community Center and the Federation."
Mrs. Kukes was very enthusiastic about anything
Jewish, such as attending many programs and events
and supported programs in a "hands-on" manner,
her daughter said.
Over the years, she was active in Federation as
well as serving as president of Women 's American
ORT, which works to assist people living in Israel.
She was also a JCC board member as well as being a
member of Congregation Shaarey Zedek and
Franklin Hills Country Club.
Mrs. Kukes is survived by sons and daughters-in-
law, Michael and Lynne Kukes of Birmingham,
Thomas and Rosanne Kukes of Bloomfield Hills;
daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Michael
Kratchman of Bloomfield Township; grandchildren,
Marjorie and Joshua Yaker, David Goldman, Rachel
Kukes Schwartz and Mark Schwartz, Daniel and
Sherri Kukes, Dana Kukes and David Pogoda; great-
grandchildren, Joey Yaker, Adam Yaker, and Ari
Yaker.
Mrs. Kukes was the beloved wife of the late
Harold Kukes.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to Congregation
Shaarey Zedek, 27375 Bell Road, Southfield, MI
48034 or to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements
by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. 0

HENRY HORST BAUMGARTEN,

80, of Southfield, died Jan. 28,
2005. He was born in Erfurt,
Germany, orphaned at age 4 and
then raised by two aunts and his sis-
ter Hanni. At 15, he was sent to
agricultural school in Denmark,
where he stayed until the German
occupation. Captured
and sent to
Terezinstadt concen-
tration camp, he
served two years hard
labor. After liberation,
he immigrated to the
United States and in
1948, he married
Cecilia Altberger, also
a survivor. He crafted
a successful career as a master car-
penter and construction contractor.
He is survived by his wife of 23
years, Hanni Baumgarten; sons and
daughters-in-law, Dr. Alan and Judy
Baumgarten of Ashville, N.C., Mark
and Gina Baumgarten of Elmhurst,
Ill., David and Angela Sherman of
Baltimore, Md.; daughter and son-
in-law, Bonnie and Barry Jacobs of
Southfield; sister and brother-in-law,
Hanni and Heinz Friedman of

Israel; grandchildren, Cindy and
Eric Lacy, Steven Jacobs, Nathan
Baumgarten, Alexandra Baumgarten,
Adam Sherman. He was the beloved
husband of the late Cecilia
Baumgarten.
Contributions may be made to
United Jewish Communities,
Federation of America, P.O. Box 30,
Old Chelsea Station, New York, NY
10113. Interment at Oakview
Cemetery. Arrangements by Hebrew
Memorial Chapel.

VILEN BLAZHKO, 69, of Royal

Oak, died Jan. 26, 2005.
He is survived by his wife, Larisa
Blazhko; son, Sergey Blazhko of
Belgium; daughter, Svetlana Blazhko
of Royal Oak; sisters and brothers-
in-law, Angelina and Efrim
Mordkovech of New Jersey, Alla and
Vladimir Molodzova of Oak Park;
grandchildren, Alex Blazhko, Simon
Blazhko.
Interment at Hebrew Memorial
Park. Arrangements by Hebrew
Memorial Chapel.

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