Tina Stath

1944 - 2023

Tina Stath

June 28, 1944 - June 5, 2023

Tina "The Queen" Stath left this life on Monday, June 5, 2023, the same way she lived it - stubbornly on her own terms, exactly where she wanted to be in her favorite spot looking out her window at her flowers and birds, jamming out to James Taylor and Motown, listening to her Cubbies take 2 out of 3 from the Padres, surrounded by the people she loved. Born on June 28, 1944 in Gary, IN, she was a Region Rat her whole life, spending her early years in Gary, raising her daughter in Merrillville, and enjoying her retirement years at her estate in Crown Point. She attended Calumet High School where she was Student Council President and loved running into fellow CHS Warriors long after graduation.

She worked hard and constantly from her early teens until her much deserved retirement in 2009. She was the most proud of her job at American Bridge, where she was the President of Clerical Union #1010 and was a part of the building of the Sears Tower in Chicago, where she excitedly stood on the bare beams 100 stories up during its construction.

She was passionately involved in local politics since the early 70s. A staunch Union Democrat until the very end, she taught her daughter the ins-and-outs of door-to-door campaigning at the age of 7, became a Merrillville Police Commissioner before being ousted in a coup, and ran for City Council four times, all ending in narrow defeats.

She was the scorekeeper and airhorn blasting cheerleader for her daughter's softball teams, always fondly reminiscing those times as some of her favorites, still occasionally singing the cheers and forever talking about those girls as her own for the rest of her life.

Tina's happiest place was her garden. Renowned throughout the region for her natural talent in creating the most serene and fabulous yard, many tried to mimic her, but all inevitably failed. She also loved spending time at The Artful Garden, moving flowers and décor to what she felt were "better" spots and generally driving Liz, the owner and her close friend, nuts.

Preceded in death by her grandfather Paul Dezelich of Yugoslavia, the man who raised her, taught her how to drive a truck when she was 11, and who not so secretly considered Tina his favorite; her grandmother Ljubica "Violet" Dezelich of Yugoslavia, the woman who raised her as well as three generations of Serbian women, her favorite roommate for 49 years, and the original badass of the family; Mitch Kief, her sweet and hilarious nephew; Bob Freyman, her cousin who Tina had a special bond with near the end of their lives; and Sally Jo McLaughlin, her dear friend, bonus mom to Alexia, and the first of the YaYa's to head to the stars.

Tina is survived by her only child, Alexia Stath, whom she ensured was set up for success in life by early on passing down the family motto of "Get Tough or Die", and making certain she could name the artist and title of every Motown song within the first three chords; husband Leon Stath, her personal serenader, favorite cat to cut a rug with, and sparring partner of 50 years who she loved so much she married him twice; Charlie the dog, her best buddy who never left her side; and the YaYas - cousin Christine Foster, Lora Konefall, Carol Bolin, and Patty Roberts. They were the keepers of all her secrets whose fierce love, loyalty, and compassion, especially in the past 8 months, have certainly secured them the best possible afterlife, despite all their other questionable actions over the years.

Tina's final party will be on Friday, June 23rd, 2023, from 5:30 PM -7:30 PM with a Memorial Service at 6:00 PM at GEISEN FUNERAL, CREMATION & RECEPTION CENTRE, 606 E. 113th Ave., Crown Point, IN, 46307.

In lieu of flowers (don't bother, Tina would harshly judge them anyway), the family requests guests wear red in her honor and also share their favorite Tina stories in written notes for the family to keep.

Visit Tina's online guestbook at www.GeisenFuneralHome.com 219-663-2500.