Frances M. Rutowski

Frances Mary Rutowski always kept her family in the center of thoughts. She was a kind-hearted woman with an honest smile, and each day she shared her happiness with the people she loved most, her husband, children, and many grandkids.

In the year 1915 the Great War was pushing toward new heights in Europe. After the bombing of a U.S. passenger ship by German U-boats, President Woodrow Wilson brought his country into the war amid the battlecry "Remember the Lusitania!" Though it was an uncertain time, Frank Czubaj and his wife Mary (Ignasiak) kept their positive spirits by focusing on the blessings in their life together. On August 4, 1915, their eldest child Frances Mary was born in Grand Haven, Michigan.

Born in 1915, Frances lived through many important periods in American history, from the prosperous Roaring Twenties in her early childhood to the Great Depression during her teenage years. She grew up with the company of her two younger brothers and one sister. Their father provided for the family through the hotel that he owned and operated on the Westside of Grand Rapids. Frances grew up in a bilingual household and developed fluent skills in both English and Polish. Her father was also very involved with the Polish Falcons.

Around the time that Frances graduated from Union High School, she met a handsome student from Davenport while she was working at the family hotel. His name was Edward Rutowski, and he immediately took a liking to Frances. At first Frances resisted his charms, but Edward was persistent and they eventually began dating. They were married in October of 1935. Money was tight because of the Great Depression and Frances and her father went from house to house to personally invite their guests, which proved to be a memorable experience.

For their honeymoon the newlyweds enjoyed a weekend retreat to Edward's hometown of Filer City, located near Manistee. They then moved to Midland where Edward had found work at Dow Chemical.

Frances and Edward were blessed with five children, Edward J., Frank, Merilyn, Paul, and Elaine. Family was very important to Frances, and she always kept her children in the center of her thoughts. She an active volunteer in the Catholic school that her children all attended, and she also served as Den Mother for her boy's Cub Scouts group. Frances loved to prepare a good meal for her family, and her tasty dishes always beckoned a full dinner table.

Every so often Frances would plan out a family vacation. Later in her life, Frances had an opportunity to visit Poland, and some of her family accompanied her on the trip. Since Frances retained her fluency in Polish, she was able to help her family navigate around the country. Frances also visited places like Israel and Italy.

After working for Dow Chemical for many years, Edward transferred to do accounting work for several automotive companies. He also purchased a grocery store on Lincoln in Grand Rapids, where he and Frances, who worked as the butcher, worked alongside one another for a few years until they sold the store.

In her free time Frances enjoyed sewing, mending, and gardening. She also enjoyed writing, and over the years she cultivated her skills by taking the occasional class at Grand Rapids Junior College. Frances was an active member in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, and she was also very involved with the Stephen Ministries. Her faith helped guide her in 1975, when her husband Edward passed away. Though her loss was difficult, Frances relied on her faith and the support of her family to help her through the hard time.

In her later life Frances was pleased to see her family grow with the births of fourteen grandchildren and twenty-three great-grandchildren. She loved all of her grandkids and helped with their upbringings in every way that she could.

Frances was a devoted family woman whose kind heart will be fondly remembered by the many people who loved her.

Frances died on September 7, 2005. She was preceded in death by her husband Edward A. Rutowski and son Edward J. Rutowski. Frances is survived by her children Frank (Madeline) Rutowski, daughter-in-law Patricia Rutowski, Merilyn (Phil) Meere, Paul (Ann) Rutowski, Elaine (Larry) Shay; 14 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; cousins Mary Grubham, Stella Humy, Andy and Arlene Hass; sister-in-law Kay Czubaj; many nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to meet with Frances' family on Friday from 6-9 PM at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home-Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW , with the Rosary prayed at 7 PM. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2005 at 11 AM at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church with Fr. Ed Hankiewicz celebrant (meet at church). Interment in Holy Cross Cemetery. Please visit Frances' personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a favorite memory, sign the guest book, or make a memorial donation in lieu of flowers to Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church.