Dorothy E. Mahka

Dorothy E. (Fiedorowicz) Mahka – Tuesday & Wednesday paid obit w/B&W Photo Bridgman – Dorothy E. (Fiedorowicz) Mahka, formerly of St. Joseph, was born on November 17, 1917, in Calumet City, IL, to Josephine and Lawrence Fiedorowicz. She was the sixth of nine children and is survived by her youngest sister, Janet (John) Flood of St. Joseph. Siblings who have preceded her in death are Irene (John) Schneider, Vee (Tremont) Ruff, Martha Fiedorowicz, Adella Bowen, Leonard (Jane) Fiedorowicz, Rita (Darrell) Emlong, and most recently Lillian-Kay (Bob) Hughes. In 1929, the Fiedorowicz family moved to their farm on Lincoln Ave. Dorothy attended North Lincoln Grade School and graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1937. She was married to her beloved husband Casper Mahka on January 27, 1940. He preceded her in death on September 5, 1993. Dorothy is survived by their children, Ron Mahka of Albuquerque, NM, Kathy (Bob) Whalen of Muskegon, and Suezi (David) Orlaske of St. Joseph. Dorothy was a special Busia to her grandchildren, Kim, Scott (Gina), and Brian (Angie) Moon, and Chris (Britt) and Shawn Orlaske. She also leaves three great-grandchildren, Emily, Collin, and Ruby Moon as well as numerous nieces and nephews. As a mother, Dorothy was known and loved for her wonderful embracing love of life, her generosity, and her fun-loving sense of humor. Besides her dedication to her family, she really enjoyed sleeping late, reading novels, working cross-word puzzles, coffee with lots of cream, visiting friends and relatives, bourbon & tonic highballs, fishing on the pier, bowling, pinochle, dancing, antiquing, and traveling the states, Polish food, See’s chocolate, being a Democrat, playing slot machines, good pastry, corn on the cob, going barefoot, and her dogs Tinker, Joe, and Babe. For many years, Dorothy blessed the needy children with hats, mittens, and scarves that she knitted for them. Dorothy worked as a Patent Librarian for Whirlpool for 25 years. After 9 years of tender care at Woodland Terrace, Dorothy’s life ended with her peaceful passing on February 16 in the company of her loving family. A celebration of Dorothy’s life will be held on at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 20, 2008, at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Deacon Michael Gallagher officiating. She will be interned at Riverview Cemetery next to her husband Casper. Friends may visit with the family from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. Wednesday prior to the service. Memorial donations may be made to the Animal Aid of Southwest Michigan or to Hospice at Home. Those wishing to send the family a condolence message or sign the guest book on-line may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.