Loretta Lewandowski

Loretta (Laurie) Elaine Lewandowski, 77,
passed away on Monday, November 3, 2014, at
Tendercare in Rogers City, Michigan.

Loretta Elaine Wozniak was born in Posen, Michigan on November 9, 1936,
the thirteenth of fourteen children of Stanislaus and Rosalia Wozniak.

She attended St. Casimir School during her elementary school years, and
graduated from Posen High School in 1955. After waiting for his return
from the Korean Conflict, Loretta married her high school sweetheart,
Elmer Aloysius Lewandowski on September, 10, 1955, They were married
for almost 46 years until Elmer’s passing on April 3, 2001,

While raising her children, Loretta also provided care to others as she
lived out her vocation as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Her former patients
often express their gratitude for the loving care she provided to new
moms and their babies, as well as to hundreds of other patients. Loretta
exuded a passion for those in need, whether physical, spiritual, or
emotional, and shared her time, love, songs, Polish conversations, prayers,
and her radiant smile with each of them, Many recall phoning Loretta in
times of medical need, with Loretta responding by visiting their home to
assess and help care for their loved ones, She also organized and
volunteered at numerous community blood bank events, After retiring
from the Rogers City Hospital, Loretta provided home health care to many
individuals,

Loretta was a member of St. Casimir Parish, its choir, and its Rosary
Sodality. For many years she taught faith formation classes (CCD) to the
children of St. Casimir families. Loretta also served her community as a
member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary. She was one of the organizers
and producers of the initial Posen Potato Festival Cookbook.

She loved spending time with her family and friends. Loretta was also an
avid sports fan and card shark. She looked forward to watching the games
of her favorite teams, the Detroit Tigers, Lions, Pistons, and Red Wings,
often quoting statistics about the team players. She also supported Posen
High School athletics, and attended sporting events of her children and
grandchildren. Her favorite card games were Spitzer and Pinochle, and she
enjoyed spirited competition with family and friends.

Loretta is survived by:
her five children: Frederick (Lorraine) Lewandowski,
Lois (Timothy) Darga, Mark (Denise) Lewandowski,
Mary Ann (Larry) Stire, and
William (Gina) Lewandowski
As Busia, she is also survived by:
her twelve grandchildren and their families:
Andrew (Christi), David, and Rachel Lewandowski;
Kristen (Andrew) Kowalski and Kaley Darga;
Julia, Paige, and Chase Lewandowski; Zachary (Alyssa) Stire;
and Ethan, Sydney, and Ava Lewandowski; and
four great-grandchildren;
Ella and Elijah Lewandowski, and Sofia and Harry Kowalski.

She is also survived by:
six sisters, Blanche (Raymond) Meyers, Emily Ratkowiak, Theresa Purol,
Martha (John) Misiak, Clara Gajsiewicz and Gertrude Dembny;
and two brothers,
Raymond (Lauric) Wozniak, and Stanley (Virginia) Wozniak;
sisters-in-law Mabel Lewandowski and Lillian Wozniak, and
a brother-in-law, Frank Budnik.
Hundreds of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and cousins
also survive Loretta.

She is preceded in death by:
her parents Stanislaus and Rosalia Wozniak,
her parents-in-law, Philip and Julia Lewandowski,
her siblings and their spouses; brothers Casimir (Helen)Wozniak,
Phillip Wozniak, Frank (Esther) Wozniak, Anna (Myron) Konwinski and
Esther (John) Momrik;
brothers-in-law, Joseph Ratkowiak, John Purol, Alex Gajsiewicz,
Edward Dembny;
brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and their spouses
Chester (Gertrude) Lewandowski, Loretta (Louis) Wozniak,
Marjorie Budnik, Erwin Lewandowski, and Irene (Gene) Passino.

Friends and relatives may visit at the Beck Funeral Home in Rogers City,
Michigan on Wednesday, November 5, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a
rosary service held at 6:30 p.m. and a prayer service held at 7:00 p.m.
Visitation will resume at St, Casimir’s Catholic Church in Posen,

Michigan at 10 a.m. on Thursday, followed by an 11 a.m. Mass of
Christian Burial,

Loretta will be laid to rest at the St. Casimir Cemetery immediately
following Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Posen Sports Boosters.