Elizabeth “Betty” Dembny
Elizabeth “Betty” Dembny, 93, of Gaylord, was ready when she passed from this life to the next, December 29, 2023.
Betty was born on the family farm near Posen September 15, 1930, to Stanley and Agnes (Kierzek) Roznowski, the ninth of 14 children.
She attended the country school and then graduated from St. Casimir Catholic School in Posen.
On November 23, 1949, Betty married her first love, Stanley “Stosh” Haske Jr. at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Posen. They had six sons, one of whom was stillborn. Stanley perished with the sinking of the S/S Cedarville in the Straits of Mackinac, May 7, 1965.
Betty then married her last love, Alfred “Alfie” J. Dembny, November 26,\1966, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Rogers City. She lost him March 12, 1988.
She was employed at K-Byte on the production line for two years. Betty then worked in the fabric department at Walmart for 14 years.
Betty loved to go to garage sales and thrift stores. She also enjoyed many crafts, including sewing and knitting. She made stuffed animals for her grandchildren, painted scenes on old glass windows, baked bread and sweets nearly every day and was an excellent cook. She took pleasure in a big garden, growing and canning her vegetables. “Mom enjoyed taking photos of different subjects and would send them to the local newspaper, where, to her enjoyment, many of them were published.” Listening to the “Polka Party” on the radio on Saturday mornings was a favorite of hers. She also loved to dance to polkas.
Matka was happiest when taking care of children, how she loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and how they loved their Busha.
Betty was a member of St. Mary Cathedral Parish, was a member of the Altar-Rosary Society, and the Daughters of Isabella for 60 years.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Agnes; her husbands, Lefty and Alfie; her son, Joseph; and her siblings, Esther, Helen, Martha, Eugene, Sylvester, Cecelia, Regina, Raymond, Leonard, Alphonse, Bruno, Sally and their spouses.
She is survived by her sons, Gregory (Nettie) of Gaylord, Ken (Angie) of England, Alan (Marcia) of Oak Harbor, Washington, Brian (Lori) of Gaylord and Steven (Theresa) of Gaylord; her grandchildren, Josclyn (Alexander) Haske, Abraham (Shannon) Haske, Alicia (Jamie) Wojtkowiak, Sara Lyn (Robert) Phillips, Rachel (Levi) Haske, Jacob Haske and Zachariah (Leah) Haske; 18 great-grandchildren; a stepgrandson, Dana Burnidge; and her sister, Ann Haske.
The family would like to thank Dr. Becky Ashley, the owners and staff at Woodland Acres, and Hollee, Lisa, and the staff of Hospice of Michigan.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held today (Thursday, January 4) at 11 a.m. from St. Mary Cathedral i
Visitation was held at the Nelson Funeral Home Wednesday, January 3, from 4 until 8 p.m. St. Mary Our Lady of Grace Circle offered a rosary at the funeral home Wednesday evening.
Visitation will continue today (Thursday, January 4) at St. Mary Cathedral from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Donations may be made to St. Mary Cathedral Schools at 321 N. Otsego Ave., Gaylord, MI 49735, Hospice of Michigan online at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/hospiceofmichigan or New Life Pregnancy Center in Gaylord at 705 S. Otsego Ave., Gaylord, MI 49735.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Nelson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord MI 49734.