Mary Louise Rzonca (nee Skorupski)

Mary Louise Rzonca

September 11, 1928 - March 10, 2020

Mary Rzonca was born in Bottineau North Dakota of the late Martha and Joseph Skorupski.  Mary grew up in Cornell Michigan with her brother Joseph “Duzzie”. After High School Mary traveled to Chicago with her best friend and met the love of her life, Eugene Anthony Rzonca. They were married in 1950 and had two daughters, Mary and Patricia.

Mary raised two daughters while her husband Eugene worked for the Chicago Fire Department on 24 hour shifts and then went to a part-time job. She calmed her children during stormy weather and made New Year’s Eve parties while her husband worked. She did the cleaning, shopping, painting, and laundry back when every little girl wore a lovely cotton starched dress (which of course mom always made and ironed herself). Her beautiful home was the hub of many great family parties.  Mary had a great eye for fashion and dressed beautifully and made sure her daughters were beautifully dressed as well. Mary was also an extraordinary baker as was her mother who sold baked goods at the country market.

To make extra money, Mary did tailoring, made a wedding dress and sewed several gowns for her daughter who always made a last-minute request. When the girls were in High School she went to work at Sears Roebuck in River Oaks.  When she retired from Sears she started taking art classes. Mary and her daughter Mary went into the antique business as “Collectors Corner” and enjoyed selling depression glass and a wide variety of glass wear.  One of her greatest joys was the cottage she owned in Wetmore Michigan next door to her brother on a chain of lakes. Mary, Eugene, Duzzie and Elvira spent many summer nights playing cards and “shooting the breeze” in their slice of heaven in the Hiawatha Forest. Mary was so good at decorating and baking she often had company because people enjoyed her charming cottage and warm company.

Mary was married for 47 years until Eugene passed away. She is survived by her daughters Mary and Patricia, grandchildren Carrie and Leo and great-grandchildren Alex and Zoey.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Louise Rzonca (nee Skorupski), please visit our floral store.