Billie Jean Marie Kozak (aka: Bill, Willard, Jilly Bean), age 33, a resident of Grantsburg passed away on July 4, 2021.

Billie Jean was born on December 27, 1987 in Grantsburg to Gerald, Sr., and Karen J. Kozak. Billie, being born Kozak, also inherited two big brothers, Jerry Kozak, Jr., and Mark Kozak and a sister, Ellen Nelson.

Later she would spend many Sundays at the Kozak family dinners.

Billie Jean was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church in Grantsburg where she was an active member. She enjoyed teaching Vacation Bible School in the summers.

When Billie was 2 years old, she was blessed with bonus grandparents, Marg and Wally Taylor and a family as Marg watched her while Mom was at work. She grew up with bonus brothers, Justin and Willy Taylor.

Billie’s first marriage proposal was over a bowl of frosted flakes at age 4 by Willy asking her if she was going to marry him or what?

At age 12, she was introduced to farm life. She helped in the barn feeding cows and calves, cleaning the barn and driving tractor. Her favorite chore was raking hay for Arlen and feeding the baby calves. When she could finally reach the pipeline, she learned how to milk cows. Billie became a proud big sister to her brother Adam whom she loved dearly.

Billie attended Grantsburg High School, graduating in 2006. While in high school, she worked as a waitress at The Rainbow Supper Club in Grantsburg. After graduating, she was employed by C.L.O. of Pine City, Minnesota. She was a very good caregiver and all her clients loved her. Sometimes for an afternoon outing she would bring the group out to the farm which they truly enjoyed, they were fascinated by the cows and tractors. Billie was later employed by Minit Mart in Grantsburg working her way up to Assistant Manager. Her latest job was at Yellow Lake Lodge as a waitress/bartender. She really loved this job and her customers loved her as she was very talented with her quick wit and pretty smile.

Spending time with family was most important, as a lot of her childhood was spent with Larissa, she was her “big sister” and Larissa was so proud of her little cousin. Nicky was right there, too as she turned into the go-to babysitter. Billie loved to go to Auntie Diane and Uncle Larry’s house where she was just a little spoiled. Larissa was known as Sissy and always was yet to Billie.

Billie welcomed two beautiful daughters, Peyton Marie and Brynn Lee. She loved being a mother and was a wonderful at it. Her girls were her entire world and the spitting image of her. She loved spending time with them, going out for breakfast at the Country Café or just hanging out at home snuggling and watching movies.

Billie loved to cook and was very good at it, priding herself on the meals that she made. She enjoyed deer hunting and fishing both winter and summer. She was a great angler as her boyfriend, Brandon will tell you as she out fished him a time or two and always managed to catch the biggest Bass. Most times you would find Peyton and Brynn tagging along as they enjoyed it as much.

They enjoyed hiking by the St. Croix River to the Sand Cliffs and the old paint mine or up to Pattison Park to explore the falls. Billie loved fair weekend, attending tractor pulls and most of all the derby. She spent time in the pits with her friends and was lucky enough to drive a car one year. At the tractor pulls she would cheer on her brother Jerry and later brother Adam, or both depending on who was up, Loyalty proved to be tough when they pulled in the same weight class.

Billie enjoyed spending time on the farm with Adam, target practicing with Tannerite. Their eyes would sparkle, and you would find them both grinning ear to ear when they hit the bullseye. Many adventures happened on the farm; shooting bottle rockets, hanging out in the hay shed and riding around on go carts or four wheelers to name a few. Billie would tell you farm life was the best life. She had an amazing sense of humor and loved to be around her many, many friends.

Billie was preceded in death by father, Gerald; grandparents, Lester, and Dorothy Wagenius; Helen Hintz; Meaddy and Alyce Smestad; along with aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She will be forever missed by her daughters, Peyton and Brynn; mother, Karen Smestad; brother, Adam (Melissa) Smestad; uncles, Roger (Margo) Wagenius; and Larry Derks, aunt, Janet Serenpa; great aunt, Betty Ann Johnson; half-brothers, Jerry (Lindsey) Kozak, Jr., Mark (Jen) Kozak; half-sister, Ellen (Jeff) Nelson; close family Nicolle Derks and son Brock, Larissa and Chuck Lee (Kaylea, Cody and Graisyn), Becky (Tim) Crocker, Zack (Colie) Crocker, Casey Crocker; along with many cousins and an abundance of dear friends.

A funeral service was held on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at 2:00 PM (visitation 1-2 PM) at Bethany Lutheran Church in Grantsburg with Pastor Jay Ticknor officiating. Music was provided by Erin Spohn. A luncheon was served after the service by the ladies of Bethany. Our heartfelt thank you to all of you.

Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Grantsburg.

Last Update: Jul 13, 2021 8:15 am CDT