Leona Dasky

Leona (Michalak) Dasky passed away after a brief illness on Thursday, May 24, 2012. Leona was the oldest daughter of the late Victoria (Kotewa) and Walter Michalak, born April 9, 1920, in Bay City.

Leona was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend to all and always put family and others first. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. After "Dutch" died, she proudly raised four of her five daughters, who ranged in age from five to 14 years alone.

She leaves five daughters, Carol Vincent of Charlotte, N.C., Marcia (Bill) Reder of Auburn, Patricia (Russ) Friebe of Zanesville, Ohio, Mary Beth (Bob) Brown of Marco Island, Fla. and Monica (Terry) Hus of Auburn. She also leaves behind 15 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Leona was an active member of St. Anthony's Parish in Fisherville since her marriage in 1938. She was named Woman of the Year in the Rosary Sodality and Parish Council. Her hobbies were crocheting, playing cards and Bingo. Leona enjoyed traveling to many destinations including Hawaii, Europe, Canada and from California to Vermont and Michigan to Florida. Leona and her husband, "Dutch" were owners of the Orchard Inn Bar in Fisherville until 1957. Shortly after "Dutch's" death she began working in the Dow Cafeteria as the "Salad Lady" until her retirement in the mid 1980s. She enjoyed being of service to all who walked through the doors, priding herself on knowing exactly what the regulars enjoyed and having it ready for them when they arrived at her counter. Never happy unless she was busy, she volunteered at the Election Polls in Williams Township, the school cafeteria, and even took a part-time job caring for plants at K-Mart in Midland while in her 80s.

Leona was preceded in death by her husband, Alex "Dutch" Dasky in 1959; brothers, Victor, Daniel, Walter Michalak and David Kowalski; sisters, Rita Wozniak and Bernadine DuLude; and also her son-in-law, "Jerry" Vincent.

The funeral liturgy will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Wednesday May 30, 2012, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 11 Mile and Midland Rds. The Rev. Fr. Thomas E. Sutton will officiate, with burial to follow in St. Anthony Cemetery, Fisherville.

Leona's family will receive friends at the Auburn Chapel of the Cunningham-Taylor Funeral Homes, Inc., on Tuesday from 2-8 p.m. On Wednesday morning, Leona will lie in state at the church from 10 a.m. until time of service. There will be a vigil service for Leona at 7 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home. For those planning an expression of sympathy, envelopes for St. Anthony/St. Joseph Parish, Toni & Trish House, Fisherville, and Brian's House, Bay City, will be available at the funeral home.