Mary Dombrowski

Mary was born in a log cabin on January 20, 1935, on Dukes Road in Dukes, Michigan, and graduated from Graveraet High School in 1951. She found herself working as a bookkeeper for most of her life, and retired from North State Equipment.

Mary had 4 children: 2 daughters, Debbie (Larry) Becklund, and Karen (Dan) Jensen, and 2 sons, Leslie Anderson and Jamie Merrils, both deceased. She is also survived by her stepchildren: Steve Dombrowski, Mitch Dombrowski, Jennifer Parker, Joan Giles, and Tony Dombrowski, who joined her family when she married Joe Dombrowski in 1989. Joe and Mary enjoyed 10 wonderful years together before his death in 1999.

She had 4 grandchildren: Anthony (Kawaunee) Hofer, Marianne Becklund, Dale Jensen, and Jeremy Becklund (deceased). Mary also had 5 great-grandchildren: Morgan, Dianee, Joseph, Nova, and Hailey Hofer, and 2 great-great grandchildren: Lucille and Marcus Quidit.

Mary’s three brothers: Mike Murphy, William Dorow, and Ed Dorow, and her sister: Emma Raboine, all preceded her in death.

She is survived by her sister, Betty Gustafson, and her brother-in-law, Dick Dombrowski.

She was a member of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, and her faith was an important part of Mary’s life. She passed that faith along to her family, and it remains an essential part of their life, too.

Mary always enjoyed going for car rides, especially when the colors were changing in the Fall. She loved going blueberry picking and “Treasure Hunting” (looking for antique glass bottles, beach glass, and vintage, Hemingray electric pole glass). Her love of car rides allowed her to see all 50 states, finding a casino in each and every one. International travel brought her to Japan Greece, and Germany.

She was Willie Nelson’s #1 fan and went to 15 of his concerts, most recently in May of this year, wearing a bandana he once wore! She loved to read books (mystery stories and westerns were on the top of her must-read list), she could conquer the hard and expert crossword puzzles, and loved playing along with Jeopardy. When she was playing cards – no matter the game – she played as long as she could…and would win most of the time!

Mary loved yellow roses, wildflowers, and lilacs. She loved to pick apples for apple sauce, cider and pie, and especially loved picking blueberries. Instead of physically getting up and down between blueberry bushes, she’d simply roll to each spot, sliding her bucket over to pick the next bunch. Blueberry picking lead her to her husband, Joe: one of their first dates was flying in his Cessna to Marquette to go blueberry picking. They spent their marriage traveling, flying, and cutting grass. She used to joke that they would wave as they passed each other on their riding mower.

Mary loved to paint on fabric with tube-tipped paints, and crafted a beautiful table runner on red velvet that she used for Christmas decorating each year. She would collect pine cones of all different sizes, wiring them together to form a pine cone Santa Claus, spray painting them gold and decorating them with cotton balls. Mary would also use the pine cones and other natural plants (cat tails, pussy willows) to decorate her home.

Locally, Mary enjoyed regularly bowling on her league. Her form was rather unique: she’d add a little skip and a hop while releasing the bowling ball! Amusing to see, yet rather effective! She was a proud member of the West Bagley Homemakers, loved exercising at the Senior Center, and cherished her friendships in the Red Hat Society. She loved maintaining the Park in Bagley, jokingly referring to herself as “The Mayor of Bagley.”

Mary will be missed by everyone who knew her. She was very special.

Visitation for Mary will be held at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Stephenson on Saturday August 31, 2024 from 2:00 pm until time of Funeral Service at 4:00 pm with Reverend Brenda Greenwald officiating. Burial will be in Nadeau Township Cemetery on Friday September 6, 2024 at 12:00 noon. The Anderson Diehm Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Sincere thanks to the kind helpers at UP Home Health and Hospice for helping fulfill Mary’s wish to spend her last days at home. Thanks, too, to all who brought over meals and treats to keep her family going during her last days. You are all so appreciated!

Per her wishes, donations in Mary’s name can be directed to St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church (PO Box 435 Willow Street, Stephenson, MI 49893).