Frances Rose Zolvinski

Frances Rose Zolvinski

February 26, 1923 - June 12, 2018

Frances Rose Zolvinski, 95, died peacefully Tuesday afternoon, June 12, 2018, in her home in Michigan City after an extended illness.

Frances was born Feb. 26, 1923 at the farmstead of Henry and Anna (Milcarek) Foldenauer in Coolspring Township. She was the sixth of nine children, of whom Jerome, Richard, Lyman, Genevieve (Malecki), Mark, Mary (Wroblewski) and John preceded her in death. A sister, Germaine Wadas, of Michigan City, survives.

Frances married Frank Zolvinski who was serving in the U.S. Army at Camp Sutton, N.C. on July 11, 1941. They were married for 63 years until he preceded her in death on Nov. 14, 2004. During World War II she worked at Kingsbury Ordnance Plant and was later employed at Reliance Clothing Company in Michigan City. Following the war, they settled down in Coolspring Township, where they raised seven children all of whom survive. She was later employed in food service for 16 years in the Michigan City Area Schools, working at the former Rogers High School and then retiring as kitchen manager at Krueger Middle School, retiring in 1987.

Other survivors include her children, Lyman (Helen), Michigan City; Mary Ann (William) Davenport of Lincoln, Nebr.; Frank J. (Susan) of LaPorte, Dr. Stephen Zolvinski, Michigan City; Matthew (Therese) of Cedar Lake; Michael (Margery) of Bolingbrook, Ill.; retired Air Force Reserve Lt. Col. Jacqueline (Patrick) Lorzing of Haymarket, Va., and a sister-in-law, Catherine Kabacinski of Michigan City. Also surviving are 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. A grandson, Patrick Glassman, preceded her in death.

Frances was a devout member of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church where she was baptized and remained a lifelong member. She faithfully attended Mass on Sundays and holy days, and received the sacraments even as she became homebound. She assisted as a Eucharistic Minister and also belonged to the Rosary Sodality. For several decades she was very active at the St. Mary Resale Shop, which she co-managed until retirement in 2011.

Active in her community, Frances was a blood donor to the American Red Cross. She also served as an election worker at the Coolspring School polling station.

Frances loved her family and expressed her affection as a prolific creator of the homemaker arts. She was an avid cook who made Polish specialties, tried new recipes and loved serving family get-togethers. She also enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and her grandchildren enjoyed her quilts. She was also active outdoors where she raised chickens, grew flowers and gardened. She was a fan of the Chicago White Sox and Bulls. On Saturday nights she would go polka dancing with husband Frank, and after Sunday church services she avidly listened to Polka Party on the radio. She listened to polkas up to the very day of her passing.

Frances’s son, Stephen, returned home eight years ago to help her with daily activities, which allowed her to live in her home in accordance to her wishes. They were constant companions at church services and dinners, family gatherings, and often enjoyed her favorite beverage at Carlson’s Root Beer Stand. As Frances required more care, the family appreciated the skill and compassion of her caregivers, Patricia Duffy, Theresa Duttlinger, Maria Garcia, the late Jadwiga Kulbacki, Sally McCrindle, Gloria Melton, Sherry Simpson (Senior Helpers), and Nancy Russell. In the final weeks, the family was ever grateful for the skilled, thoughtful care of Dunes Hospice, Valparaiso.

Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday and 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Ott Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., Michigan City, IN. A prayer vigil will be at 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral chapel. A mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Monday at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the Rev. Kevin Huber officiating. Entombment will be at Swan Lake Memorial Garden.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, 411 W. 11th Street, Michigan City, and to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary, 940 Broadway, Gary, IN 46402.

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