Judith K. Pietrzak

Judith K. Pietrzak, 63, of St. Joseph, passed away Monday, July 31, 2006 at Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph. Friends may call from 5:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Thursday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. A time of Prayer and Reflection will take place at 7:00 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home, with Rev. Paul A. Koehneke officiating. Memorials may be made to Alano House of Southwest Michigan. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mrs. Pietrzak was born April 10, 1943 in Battle Creek to Donald & Mary (Bresnahan) Newton. She and her future husband Leonard Steinke, were voted Homecoming Queen & King in 1960 at Decatur High School. In 1961, she was crowned Miss Decatur, 1st runner-up to Miss Blossomtime, and graduated from Decatur High School. In June of 1963, she married Leonard Steinke. Judy was employed at Whirlpool Corporation from 1967 until her retirement in 1999. She started as a secretary and worked her through the ranks to become executive secretary for John Platts. Following his retirement, Judy finished her career in the Business Travel Center. Following her retirement, she was employed at Martin’s Deli in St. Joseph for fourteen months. In September of 1999, she married Robert Pietrzak. He preceded her in death in May of 2004. Judy enjoyed bowling in the Monday Ladies League at Blossom Lanes, golfing, tending to her flower garden, and rooting for Notre Dame. She also enjoyed rummaging with her sisters Carole & Debbie, and cooking for and entertaining her family, friends, and neighbors. She will always be remembered for her smiling face and a warm “Hello”. Judy is survived by two daughters-Kimberly (Cory) Branch of Buchanan, Kris (Chris) Carson of Benton Harbor; six grandchildren-Chelsea, Katie, Duke, Douglas, Hannah, & Steven; two sisters-Carole (Ron) Easton of Baroda, Debbie (Mark) Bulmon; two brothers-Don (Lynda) Newton, and Dale (Sue) Newton, both of Decatur; her former husband Leonard Steinke of St. Joseph; and her best friends-Edward & Sadie Schultz of Stevensville. In addition to her husband Robert, she was preceded in death by her parents.