Obit: Zakrzewicz, Dorothy (1931-2001)

Contributor: Kathleen Englebretson, kathy@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Zakrzewicz, Szak

---Souyrce: Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, 27 Jun 2001

Zakrzewicz, Dorothy (8 February 1931-23 June 2001)

Dorothy Zakrzewicz was planning a September reunion that would have
brought her seven children together.

This week the siblings gathered to plan her funeral instead.

"She made this the focal point for the family, for reunions, keeping
all the branches of the family connected," said son David Zakrzewicz,
who runs a dairy farm less than a mile from his parents' home in rural
Thorp.

"What it's going to amount to is the family reunion will take place
at the funeral," he said.

Zakrzewicz, 70, was killed Saturday by the driver fleeing police in
the Chicago suburb of LaGrange. Zakrzewicz was in Chicago with family
members to celebrate a sister-in-law's 80th birthday.

"That evening they went to church, they had a nice supper at an
aunt's house. Then they sat around the back yard and enjoyed the
evening. At about 9:30 pm they decided to go back to the motel room to
rest up for the next day," David Zarzewicz said.

The Chicago Tribune reported a driver was fleeing the police when she
struck the Zakrzewicz vehicle. (Details edited)

David Zakrzewicz said his mother was ejected from the vehicle. She
died at Loyola University Medical Center.

Former son-in-law Anthony Szak was driving; daughter Connie Szak of
Stanley and Dorothy's husband, Eugene, Sr., were passengers. All were
treated at Loyola University Medical Center and returned home this week.

Dorothy and Eugene Zakrzewicz were semi-retired, third generation
farmers. She also was a retired certified nursing assistant who remained
active in St. Stanislaus Church, Lublin, and the American Legion
Auxiliary.

"I think she'll be remembered as a warm, caring, giving person, "
David Zakrzewicz said. "She always had her door and her heart open to
everybody.

She gave her paintings to those who admired them and made quilts for
her 21 grandchildren. Her concern for others extended beyond family,
however.

"When we were growing up, there were always kids here that were
almost brothers and sisters to us. Either they had difficulties at home,
or they didn't have brothers and sisters," David said.

Dorothy Zakrzewicz's funeral is set for Friday at St. Stanislaus
Catholic Church. Lublin