Honoring Tradition.
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Dorothy Strzyzewski

October 6, 1927 - February 13, 2021
Walker, MI

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Dorothy Strzyzewski was a kind and generous woman, who enjoyed doing things for others. She was very committed to her faith and family. All who knew her would agree that although she was strong willed and independent, she also was very caring and would do whatever was asked of her to help anyone, whether she knew them or not. She was very accomplished in her many roles in life, including worker, wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend to many. There were not many things she could not do, whether in a factory, on the farm, or inside and outside the home.

Dorothy was born to James and Anna (Bannach) Janose on October 6, 1927 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Growing up on the family fruit farm at Bristol Ave. and 3 Mile Road NW, Dorothy learned the value of a hard day’s work at an early age. In addition to her chores on the farm, she shared a paper route with her older brother James. She first attended Simon School, then Fairview Elementary School before moving on to Catholic Central High School. She later graduated from Union High School. She then moved on to working in the factory, for Knape and Vogt.

When Dorothy was twenty one, she met her future husband, James Strzyzewski. After dating for a brief time, they were married at St. James Catholic Church in Grand Rapids, where she had been baptized. They lived in town for a few years, and became members of St. Adalbert’s Catholic Church.

When her parents bought additional farm land, Dorothy and Jim moved back to the farm to help work in the orchards. Jim also continued his full time job at Oliver Machinery Company, where he built bread slicers. They worked many long hours, in the orchards and selling their fruit on the various farmers markets around Grand Rapids. On September 18, 1961 Dorothy and Jim welcomed their baby daughter Laura Lynn into their lives. They lived in the centennial house on the farm for several years, and then tore down the old house and built what became their permanent residence.

The family fruit farm eventually ran its course, and Dorothy then worked various jobs including managing the Fulton Street Farmers Market, and later started a long career at Michigan Bulb Company. Jim passed unexpectedly in 1979, and Dorothy drew on her strong faith, resilience and determined spirit to survive as a widow for more than forty years. Although she had a lot of family support, she was always determined to manage her own chores and responsibilities. Many family members and friends came to appreciate her skills at baking, cooking, and canning. She was especially known at family meals for her carrots, mashed potatoes, rolls, potato salad, perogies, pies, and fruitcakes. She knew how to enjoy many of life’s simple pleasures, and was a strong inspiration to many.

Dorothy Strzyzewski, age 93 of Walker, MI, passed away at her home on February 13, 2021. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, James; parents, James and Anna Janose; and her brother, James Janose. She is survived by her daughter, Laurie (Steve) ¬¬Krebs; sister, Susan (William) Jenkins; and several nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 11 AM at Holy Trinity Catholic Church where friends are invited to visit with her family beginning at 10 AM. Interment in Holy Trinity Cemetery. To share a memory or sign Dorothy’s guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com