Leonarda Haiduk

LIFESTORY:

Lee Haiduk was a genuine and loving woman who put her heart and soul into everything she did. She was a caring and attentive mother who took an active role in her children’s lives and from baton twirling events to baseball practices, Lee made her children her priority.

The 1910s was a decade of great change for America. The United States was first considered a world leader and many of the issues we face today were important, like the increase of immigration and poverty, labor and monopoly battles, work safety and child labor issues. It was also the time America came of age. Antoni and Frances (Dziarczykowska) Gadowski were proud to be in America and on November 23, 1916 they were even prouder to welcome their daughter, Leonarda "Lee" into their family. Antoni worked for Grand Trunk Railroad and Frances stayed at home in their house in Battle Creek, MI where she raised their four children, Louis, Stanley, Josephine and Lee. As the children grew up, Frances began to work outside the home at the Kellogg Company. Lee’s family stayed in Battle Creek all her life and she graduated from St. Phillips High School in 1933.

Growing up in the Gadowski family meant that Lee would need to know two languages because her parents spoke Polish and for her to go to school she needed to speak English as well. Lee and her siblings were fluent in both languages and they were always there to help her parents solve translation issues. After High School Lee got a job working at Post Foods in the packaging room. Lee was committed to doing her best in whatever arena she was in and her dedication was quickly noted. She was promoted in a short time and given an office job sending out freebie toys to the children who mailed in their collection of box tops.

Lee socialized on the weekends, often having fun at the Croation Social Club right in Battle Creek. One night when the band, "The Happy Aces" were playing, her eyes fell upon the handsome bass player of the band, Frank Haiduk. Frank and Lee quickly hit it off and although Frank was four years older than Lee they knew their love was meant to be. On November 7, 1936, at St. Phillips in Battle Creek, they celebrated their marital union with a huge Polish ceremony. Their wedding lasted four entire days with lots of dancing and lots of food!

Frank owned Haiduk’s Grocery Store at 911 East Walnut Street and they built a home behind the store at 926 Gibson Street. Lee immediately dug into the responsibilities of being a business owner and worked hard stocking the shelves and running the cash register at the counter. Frank continued to play in his band and the joyful hostess that Lee was, she hosted his band and their wives every Friday night as the boys practiced in the basement. After two years of marriage, Frank and Lee welcomed their first child, Robert, into their world. Robert’s birth was followed by two other wonderful additions, their son Fred and daughter Marilee. Through example, Lee and Frank raised their children well. She was grateful for the opportunity to be a close part of all of her children’s lives, supporting them in their sports, being available to them during school time, and encouraging them academically.

Frank closed the family store in the 1960's and once the kids grew up, Lee took advantage of her bookkeeping training to work outside the home. It was the perfect avenue for her to excel in because she was always so meticulous and detailed in her work, whether it was cooking or keeping her check book. She worked at KVP/Sutherland Paper Company and later was employed at ServiSoft and Culligan Water Conditioning until she retired in the early 1980's.

When Lee and Frank weren’t parenting or working, they looked forward to spending time together. They were both big dancers and loved to do the Polka as well as other old time dances. They danced until 1971 when Cancer took Frank’s life two short months after his diagnosis. Losing Frank was a sad and lonely time for Lee, but with the comfort and support of her family and friends she was able to learn to enjoy the time she had left with the people she dearly loved. Lee became deeply devoted to her grandchildren, Cynthia, Patrick, Christopher, Amy, Sara, Matt and Adam as well as her four great grandchildren, Madison, Abigail, Caroline and Sophia. Lee was purposeful in passing on her Polish heritage and sentimental traditions to her family. She taught her children that holiday celebrations should last all day and her cooking stood out as a Polish tradition as she perfected the family’s favorite dishes. Everything she made smelled delicious and the presentation was spectacular. Lee was always willing to host parties and worked hard to make a warm and welcoming home for her guests.

In 1986, Lee moved to New Mexico to be closer to her daughter and son-in-law. She was very helpful to Marilee and Dan as they constructed their adobe home. She stayed busy in New Mexico and enjoyed walking in the mall, cooking, baking, cleaning, enjoying the flowers and being joyfully content living with Dan and Marilee.

In 1999, Lee began showing signs of Alzheimer’s disease and eventually needed to be looked after by a loving companion, Rosie Sauerman. Rosie’s responsibilities grew as Lee’s disease worsened and eventually Lee needed care throughout each day. Rosie’s loving presence and soothing touch comforted Lee during the end of her life.

Lee was a strong Polish woman with a tender heart and lovable personality. She lived to love others and serve with a genuine kindness. Her sweet spirit brought joy to all who knew her and she will be dearly missed.

Leonarda Haiduk, age 88, died May 7, 2005 in Placitas, NM. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank J. Haiduk in 1971; two brothers and a sister: Louis, Stanley and Josephine Gadowski; and by a son, Robert F. Haiduk in 2000. Members of Lee’s family include her two children: Fred (Barbara Gallagher) Haiduk of South Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, and Marilee (Dan) Bryant of Placitas, NM; seven grandchildren: Patrick and Christopher Haiduk, Cynthia (Alan) Pollack, Amy (Rob) Hamby, Sara (Steve) Parish, Matt (Vanessa) Haiduk and Adam Haiduk; four great grandchildren: Madison, Abigail and Caroline Hamby and Sophia Parish; a daughter-in-law, Fran (Siwik) Haiduk; and several nieces and nephews.

To learn more about Lee’s life, friends may visit with her family Wednesday from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, Stadium Drive West of US-131, 375-2900, where a rosary will be recited at 7:30 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday 9:30 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church with interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Please visit Lee’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a memory, order flowers on-line or make a memorial contribution. Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.