Stasia Helen (Roschyk) Pokladowski
BARK RIVER — Stasia Helen (Roschyk) Pokladowski, 96, of Bark River, Mich., passed away on July 3, 2020. She was born on May 5, 1924, in Harris, Mich., to Joseph and Agnes (Matecki) Roschyk, and was the youngest of 13 children. Stasia moved with her family to Wilson, Mich., at the age of four, where she attended Wilson school from kindergarten through sixth grade. She graduated from Harris High School in 1941 after serving as senior class president.
Stasia moved to Racine, Wis., in September of 1941, where she attended Moore’s Business College, and was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church as well as the Young Ladies’ Sodality. She worked for Raymond P. Meyer and Company, Certified Public Accountants in 1942. Stasia returned to Wilson in 1943 to be near her ill father, and she worked as credit manager and cashier at Montgomery Ward and Company in Escanaba until 1945.
Stasia married Frank Pokladowski at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church on Oct. 21, 1944. They moved to Bark River in April of 1945, where they were members of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church and raised eight children. Stasia’s family grew quickly as her children married and had children of their own, and the ever-growing family was a source of tremendous happiness and pride. The home in which she lived until her death, and where she raised her children, is still affectionately known as The Farm among her family. Stasia loved the many family gatherings at The Farm, and she traveled as often as she could to visit her family. Stasia embraced every opportunity to support and celebrate her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. When not with her family, she attended mass regularly, corresponded with family and friends through cards and letters, tended to her flowers, organized class and family reunions, and enjoyed entertainment on the small screen and at local theaters.
Stasia is survived by seven children, one daughter-in-law, and their families: son David (Louise, deceased) Pokladowski of Yorba Linda, Calif.,, granddaughter Jennifer (Steve) Park, great-grandchildren Connor, Ryan, Emily, grandson Thomas (Rick) Pokladowski; son Joseph Pokladowski of Bark River, Mich., grandson Joseph Pokladowski Jr., granddaughter Amy Pokladowski, grandson Brian (Jennifer Masinter) Pokladowski, great-grandchildren Sienna, Scarlett; son James (Laurie) Pokladowski of DePere, Wis., granddaughters Teresa, Kimberly, Valerie Pokladowski; son John Pokladowski of Bark River, Mich., grandson Richard, great-grandchild Joey, grandson Jesse, great-grandchildren Savannah, Bradeon, Ryder; daughter Mary (Myron) Van Effen of Escanaba, Mich., grandson Matthew (Sarah) Van Effen, great-grandchildren Hadley, Henry, Camden, Cooper, grandson Mark Van Effen, great-grandchildren Sydney, Roman, granddaughter Miranda (Randy) Derouin, great-grandchildren Jaxon, Delaney; daughter Catherine (Ronald) Grzyb of Bark River, Mich., granddaughter Kristie (Mike) Dziergas, great-grandchildren Paige, Weston, granddaughter Melissa (Steve) Mikus, great-grandchild Elsie; daughter Janice (Ronald) Beauchamp, granddaughter Amanda (Samuel) Marenger, grandson Brennan Van Effen, grandson Mitchell Van Effen, granddaughter Kayli Van Effen, great-grandchild Holden, grandson Daniel Van Effen; daughter-in-law Sharon Pokladowski of Kent, Wash.; granddaughter Yvonne Moore, great-grandchild Natasha Moore, granddaughter Tammi (Mark) West, great-grandchildren Madalyn, Cole; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. All of these survivors will forever treasure and miss such a wonderful mom, grandma, and great-grandma.
Stasia was preceded in death by husband Frank, son Frank Jr., parents Joseph and Agnes Roschyk; brothers Joseph, Edmund, Anthony, Frank, Adam; sisters Anna, Agnes, Sophie, Helen; and three babies who died at birth.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 7. from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Crawford Funeral Chapel in Bark River. Parish prayers will take place at 8 p.m. While attending services at the funeral home, please enter using the front (south) door and exit using parking lot (east) door. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Wednesday, July 8th at 10 AM at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church with Rev. Darryl Pepin officiating.
Burial will take place in the Bark River Twp. Cemetery.
The family thanks Rachael, Beth, and Amanda of OSF Hospice for the compassionate care they provided to Stasia in her final days.
The family thanks Deacon Mike LeBeau, Rachael, Beth, and Amanda of OSF Hospice and family-friend Tammy Stenberg for the compassionate care they provided to Stasia in her final days.
Pictures of Stasia and family can be viewed online at StasiaPokladowski.com.