Joan Niedzielski

As family and friends can surely attest, Joan Niedzielski truly understood the secret to a life well lived. She was a constant source of strength, even in the most difficult of times, and she always had a supportive word to say. Nothing brought Joanie greater joy than surrounding herself with those she loved. Her faith formed the solid foundation of all that she did, and she opened her arms and heart to anyone and everyone. Dearly loved, Joan will be forever missed by those who knew her best.

The late 1930s are remembered as a tumultuous time for the United States and the rest of the world. The shadow of the Great Depression still loomed over the country, and while many families continued to struggle to make ends meet, tensions surrounding WWII were quickly reaching a boiling point. During this dark time, there was a ray of light for Robert and Lucille (Reddy) Leet of Kalamazoo, Michigan, as they eagerly anticipated the arrival of their firstborn child. On March 16, 1937, their wait was over, and they were so excited to welcome their daughter, Joan, into their world.

Throughout her childhood, Joanie was a typical young girl of her generation in many ways. She was raised in the family home near Hayes Park in Kalamazoo alongside her three younger siblings, Robert, Richard, and Mary. Joanie and Mary shared an especially close bond. Joanie’s father, Robert, was the owner of R.W. Leet Electric, and her mother, Lucille, helped run the office. Growing up, Joanie enjoyed frequent trips to Grandpa and Grandma Reddy’s farm, where she would spend time in the kitchen with her grandmother and her great-grandmother.

During her formative years, Joanie attended local schools in St. Joseph and St. Augustine. She was an excellent student who liked being social, and she formed several unbreakable friendships that would last for many years to come. Joanie met one of her dearest friends, Pat, in the second grade, and the two remained good friends for the rest of her life; a testament to how important relationships are to Joanie. She was involved in the choir and the yearbook committee. She graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1955, ready to move on to bigger and better things. However, she remained very active with her class and would even plan their later reunions.

New and exciting changes were on the horizon for Joanie as she met the man who would quickly become her greatest love. His name was James Harold Niedzielski, and the two first met while Joanie was in school and Jim was serving in the United States Navy. Joanie loved a man in uniform, and there was an instant spark between them. The couple enjoyed a quick romance before deciding to pledge to spend the rest of their lives together. Joanie and Jim were married on October 8, 1955, and he wore his military uniform with pride.

All who knew Joanie can certainly agree that, of all the things she loved in life, she treasured her family above all else. Together, she and Jim welcomed nine children, Susan, Katherine, Linda, Timothy, Thomas, Steven, David, Karole, and Denise, into their hearts and bustling home. Joanie thrived in her role as a mother, and she balanced raising her children with her full-time career at Coca Cola. She used her skills as a seamstress to sew clothes for the children, and she kept them fed with vegetables from the garden she worked hard to tend. The Niedzielski family often enjoyed camping trips. Later in life, Joanie was thrilled to become a grandmother and even a great-grandmother. She adored her grandchildren and loved passing on all of her wisdom. Joanie always considered herself blessed to be surrounded by so many loved ones.

Never one to sit still for long, Joanie pursued many hobbies to stay busy in her free time. For many years, she and Jim would travel to attend reunions with his shipmates from his time in the Navy. They even hosted one in Kalamazoo and were able to introduce Jim’s friends to their children. Joanie was an amazing cook and baker, and she was well known for her goulash. She had a green thumb and loved caring for her flower gardens. Joanie was very creative with everything from scrapbooking to crocheting. She would often pass out her baby blankets and afghans as gifts. Later, Joanie and Jim were able to spend their winters in Gulf Shores, Alabama, and in Lakeland, Florida. They enjoyed walking on the beach and seeing the ocean. Joanie was an avid reader of Better Homes and Gardens and of all things fiction, and she liked doing sudoku. She would go to see a play at The Barn Theatre at every opportunity. More than anything else, Joanie simply loved spending time with her friends and family, and she was happiest when she was serving others.

Joanie was known for her strong Catholic faith. She was a devoted charter member of St. Catherine, and on many Friday nights, she and her family had dinners of fish sticks and macaroni and cheese. Joanie instilled in her children the values of kindness and hard work that were so important to her. She was never one to act out or rebel, even in her early years. Joanie was truly a sweet woman with a kind and genuine heart, and she was always willing to help others.

When reflecting on the life of Joan Niedzielski, it is easy to see both her unwavering strength and her unconditional love for her family. She was a shining example of grace and service to others, and her primary focus in life was building deep and personal relationships with those around her. Though she will be deeply missed, Joanie leaves behind a priceless legacy that her loved ones will be proud to carry on in her footsteps.

Joan Niedzielski of Kalamazoo, age 87, passed away peacefully on July 21, 2024 surrounded by family. Joanie is preceded in death by her husband, James; 2 grandchildren, Evan and Michael; and 1 great-grandson, Joshua; and sister, Mary Carol Ouding.

Surviving are her children: Susan Lumbard, Katherine Mattison, Linda (Larry) Quick, Timothy Niedzielski, Thomas (Pamela) Niedzielski, Steven Niedzielski, David Niedzielski, Karole (James) Michalka, and Denise Kellogg; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; siblings, Robert (Donna) Leet and Richard (Lynn) Leet.

Please join us at a Life Story Celebration on Sunday, July 28 from 3-5 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. The rosary will be recited at 5 PM. Mass will be celebrated Monday, July 29 at 11 AM at St. Catherine of Siena Parish with visitation beginning at 10 AM. A luncheon will follow in Marian Hall. Burial at Fort Custer National Cemetery on Thursday, August 1, at 10:30 AM.

Celebrate Joan’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Elara Hospice Care or Alzheimer’s Association.

The family would like to thank Elara Hospice and Provision Living of Oshtemo for all their wonderful care.