In 1892, Matt Skradski Sr. immigrated to the United States from his native Yugoslavia. He came to Kansas City, Kansas to the community known as Strawberry Hill. He worked in the meat packing plants as most of the others of his nationality did. In 1900, he went back to the old country and married. He returned to Kansas City a year later joined by his wife, Anna, and son Nicholas, and began working in a grocery. They shared the dream of someday owning their own business. In 1905, that dream became a reality with the opening of their dry goods store at 60 N. James Street. For the next eight years, their business prospered and grew. In 1910, a second son, Matt, Jr., was born. In 1913, the family purchased a newer and larger building at 344-46 N. Fifth Street which was closer to the community they served.
From this location, they operated a dry goods, furniture, and hardware store which also housed a Post Office Sub-Station which continued until 1929. In that year various leaders of the community urged the Skradski family to establish a funeral home to serve the needs of the community.
In March of 1929, Skradski and Son Funeral Home opened its doors for the first time. Nicholas, the eldest son of Matt, Sr., attended the Williams Institute of Embalming in Kansas City, Ks, and became a licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer. Unfortunately, Nicholas became ill shortly after, and Matt Jr. was urged by his father and older brother to attend the Williams Institute which he did in the spring of 1936. In May of 1936, Nicholas passed away at the age of 35 and Matt Sr. and Jr. continued to operate the funeral home.
Matt Skradski, Sr. passed away in February of 1950 and Matt Jr. saw an opportunity to acquire a larger facility. In August of 1950, Matt Skradski Jr. and his wife Anne purchased the Stine Funeral Chapel located at 340 N. Sixth St., just one block west of the Old Skradski and Son Chapel. The new firm became Skradski-Stine Funeral Home. In 1954, the name was changed to Skradski Funeral Home as it is known today.
After serving 13 years as an officer in the U.S. Navy, Matt J. Skradski, son of Matt Jr. and Anne joined the firm with his wife, Helen. Upon Matt Jr. and Anne's retirement, Matt and Helen Skradski took over the ownership of the firm. In June 1997, Matt J. Skradski passed away unexpectedly. Helen a graduate of KCKCC Mortuary Arts and Sciences in 1985 and licensed funeral director and embalmer continued to operate the firm and serve the people of the community.
In December 2014, Steve Pierce purchased Skradski Funeral Home. Steve, along with Helen Skradski and Carrie Kaifes-Lally will continue serving the people of Kansas City with the same compassionate care that was established in 1929.
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