Obit: Tokarz, Mae (1921 - 2017)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Gomez, Hendzel, Juskiewicz, Ochab, Tokarz, Trujillo

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 11/03/2017

Tokarz, Mae (Juskiewicz) Ochab (27 APR 1921 - 27 OCT 2017)

Mae (Juskiewicz) Tokarz, 96, beloved wife of the late Joe Ochab and the late Stanley Tokarz, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017 at The Alden Center in Des Plaines, Ill.

Mae was known for her quick wit, leadership and giving spirit. She touched the lives of all around her. She was born on April 27, 1921 and was raised in Lublin, where she built lifelong friendships. As a young woman, Mae moved to Chicago, Ill., where she raised her four children, Billy, Frankie, Joey and Maryann with her late husband, Joe Ochab. Mae worked as a traffic crossing guard and still found time to laugh, cook and spend time with family.

Mae was “everybody’s mom,” always ready with a warm meal, sound advice and a few spunky opinions for good measure. While in Chicago, Mae took in many family members from Wisconsin who wanted to work in “the city” after graduation. When Mae later moved back to Lublin, to the very home she was raised in, Mae babysat generations of children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and neighbors.

In Lublin, Mae was very active in the St. Stanislaus Church, the Rosary Society and the Lublin American Legion Auxiliary. Mae’s extended family often called her the “Sunshine Lady” because she wrote and mailed greeting cards daily to a network of neighbors, parishioners, friends and family who needed support. Mae didn’t just send cards, she delivered meals, drove neighbors to the hospital for appointments and always lent a hand wherever she saw a need. She was a leader who made sure those who needed support never felt alone.

Mae and her late husband, Stan Tokarz, were known to brighten the holiday season with their beautiful Christmas light display that encompassed every tree, building and an entire windmill on their property. In 2004, Mae moved back to Chicago to be close to her children and grandchildren. She cherished watching her family grow and spending time with her new great-grandchildren. She took great pride in her family and loved being near them.

Mae is survived by her sister, Jean Hendzel; her grandchildren, Christine (Jose) Trujillo, William Ochab, Jr., Lynn Gomez and Nichole (Doracely) Ochab; great-grandchildren, Britany, Anthony, Luisa, Jose Jr., Billy, Lukas, Samantha and Nicholas; great-great-grandchild, Carter; her stepson, Stanley Tokarz; and many nieces and nephews.

Mae was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joe Ochab; her husband, Stanley Tokarz; and her children, William Ochab, Joseph Ochab, Frank Ochab and Maryann Ochab.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Nov. 10 from 4-8 p.m. at the Skaja Terrace Funeral Home, 7812 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles, Ill. 60714. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 10:45 a.m. at Skaja Terrace Funeral Home, followed by mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Des Plaines, Ill. at 11:30 a.m. Interment will take place at St. Adalbert Cemetery.

For more funeral information call 847-966-7302.