August 9, 1936 – September 13, 2023
Dorothy Suzanne Przekwas, age 87, formerly of Punta Gorda, FL, and Lansing, IL, entered into Glory on Wednesday, September 13, 2023.
Dorothy (“Dottie”) was born on August 9, 1936, as the oldest daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Lazorik) Malis and grew up with her younger sister, Margie, in a wonderful, tight-knit family in Gary, IN. Dottie attended grammar school at St. Casmir’s Catholic Church where she and her family were active parishioners and then attended Froebel High School in Gary. Through a Catholic youth group, she met and then married Thomas Przekwas in 1958, and they raised their family in South Chicago and later Lansing, IL.
While Dorothy was renowned for her incredible baking skills and would scarcely allow any visitor to leave without a healthy portion of her cookies, cupcakes, or amazing breads, she was perhaps best known for the loving hand she so readily extended to those in need. After raising her family and while also working alongside her husband in operating a full-service Shell Station in Highland, IN, Dottie selflessly cared for a seemingly endless stream of family members and friends who needed help. Whether it was looking in on a needy neighbor, making meals or running errands for friends, or caring for her brain-injured daughter, Dottie quietly stepped in and did whatever was needed.
So recognized for her service, she was awarded the very first “Neighbor of the Year” award and led The Good Neighbor Parade in her hometown. She was a woman of great faith and will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Dorothy is survived by her loving children, Mary Beth (Mike, deceased) Zielinski of Ft. Meyers, FL, Philip (Gayle) Perzek of Hinsdale, IL, Suzanne (Stephanie) Sharp-Przekwas of Punta Gorda, FL; her cherished grandchildren Angela Zielinski Kinney of Vienna, AUS, Andrew (Amanda) Zielinski of Chicago, Rachel (Dan) Egan of Chicago, and Kevin Zielinski of Indianapolis, IN; her beloved sisters-in-law, Joanne Bajenski of Crown Point, IN, and Rita (Joe) Erhardt of Munster, IN; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Thomas, her daughter Lisa Zielinski, her grandson Ryan Zielinski, her sister Margaret (Malis) Lavendusky, and her parents, Andrew and Margaret Malis.
The visitation for family and friends of Dottie will be held on Thursday, September 28, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Schroeder-Lauer Funeral Home, 3227 Ridge Road, Lansing, IL. Funeral services followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. will be held on Friday, September 29, with a brief visitation commencing at 10:00 a.m. DIRECTLY at St. Ann Catholic Church, 3010 Ridge Road, Lansing, IL. A private interment will be scheduled in November at Abraham Lincoln Cemetery in Joliet, IL.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the World Central Kitchen – 200 Massachusetts Ave NW, 7th Floor, Washington, DC 20001.
