Leona ‘Lee’ Jarosz

Lee was born Leona Dziedzic on Aug. 25, 1929, in Sturgeon Bay, Wis., to Joseph and Victoria (Lach) Dziedzic. She lost both of her parents when she was 14 years old and was raised under the guardianship of her older sister and brother-in-law.

At age 18, she moved to Chicago to work and held interesting jobs at Brach’s chocolate factory and Zenith TV company. She also worked briefly at Stoney Ridge as a cook, and at the Goodman Mill.

Lee married Henry (Hank) Jarosz on Aug. 25, 1951, at St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church in Armstrong Creek, Wis. They lived in Chicago and started their family with two daughters until 1956 when Hank’s father passed away. Hank and Lee returned to Armstrong Creek and took over his family’s farm. The family grew with three more daughters and two sons. Lee was a busy farm wife, homemaker, and mother as she raised their seven children, making homemade bread almost every day, gardening, both flower gardens and vegetable gardens, and canning vegetables.

She enjoyed feeding the birds and watching and identifying all the different birds that would come to the feeders. Lee loved to sew and made many of the clothes for her family, from winter coats and snow pants, to holiday and prom dresses for her daughters and granddaughters.

Leona 'Lee’ Jarosz

After retirement Lee self-taught herself the art of quilting and has made dozens of quilts. Family members were sure to get a baby quilt as a baby shower gift. In 2009, in her 80th year, she made quilted Christmas tree skirts for her grandchildren.

A “new” year has also begun for her seven children: Joan Rocque of Goodman, Gloria (Terry) Applegate of Henderson, Nev., Ed (Kim) Jarosz of Greenville, Wis., Jan Canel of La Jolla, Calif., Debbie (Ray) Harrison of Armstrong Creek, Diane (Mike) Keranen of Lake Linden, and Dave Jarosz of Minneapolis; her 11 grandchildren: Dan (Karin) Lanaville Jr., Jennifer McCombs, Leanne (Jason) McCollough, Andrea (Stan) Millan, Trevor Jarosz, Christopher (Jessica) Canel, Emily Canel, Sam (Paige) Harrison, Megan (Sterling) Rohlinger, Jessie Harrison, and Beccie (Tucker Caron) Harrison; and her 12 great-grandchildren: Nate and Jake Lanaville, Mitch McCombs, Vivian and Calvin McCollough, Alivia, Naomi, and Louise Millan, Henry Canel, and Theo, Scarlett and Harrison Rohlinger. Mom/gramma/great-gramma, we miss you so much already.

Lee is joining her parents, Joseph and Victoria Dziedzic; one sister and brother-in-law, Frances (Rudy) Stefanski; and four brothers and sisters-in-law, Walter (Harriet) Dziedzic, Steven (Marie) Heiress, Joseph (Nancy) Dziedzic and Rudy (Ruby) Dziedzic. She is reuniting with her husband, Henry, who preceded her in death on Aug. 26, 1981. Additionally, she is joining one son-in-law, George Rocque.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church in Armstrong Creek on Friday, Jan. 9, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. and Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at noon with the Rev. Soja Joseph officiating. A spring burial will take place at Pine Hill Cemetery in Armstrong Creek.

We will see you later, but in the meantime, “We’ll see you everywhere!”

Lee’s family would like to thank Lesley Dishaw, PA, and Angela, LPN at Emplify Health in Iron Mountain for the excellent medical care they provided Mom over the years. Also, thank you to the staff at Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson emergency department, and the nurses on second floor, especially Paige, NP; Marissa, RN; Dave, RN; Maricel, RN; Brittany, RN; and Annalea, CNA.

Weber-Hill & Packard Funeral Home in Crandon, Wis., is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church, or your own favorite charity in memory of Lee Jarosz.