Obituary of Stephanie Elizabeth Ksiazak

Stephanie Ksiazak
(nee Bielec)

Age 94, of Joliet, passed away peacefully, Saturday, June 3, 2017 at home with her loving family at her side.  

Born October 21, 1922 in Joliet, she was proud of her Polish immigrant parents, Frank and Xenia (Budtash) Bielec, and for being part of the large Bielec family of four boys and six girls.  She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, the Council of Catholic Women, the Over 55 Club and the Paulites.  Stephanie retired from the E. J. & E. Railroad in 1986 after many years of service.

Stephanie was known for her warm heart, generous and loving spirit, and her ability to make everyone she met feel like a friend.  She was especially proud of being chosen Queen of the St. Thaddeus Day Pageant during her youth.  She will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing and loving her.

She is the loving mother of Nancy (Steve) Montello of Plainfield, and James (Grace) Kazak of California; dearest grandmother of Jason (Clarissa), Daman, Nathan and Shayna Montello and A. J. Kazak; fond great-grandmother of Gabriel and Reagan Montello; and beloved sister to Alice (the late William) Garland.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years, Stanley Leon Ksiazak (Feb. 3, 2006); her parents; brothers, Joseph (Ann), Adam (Marie), John (Marcella) and Chester (Vera) Bielec; and sisters, Mary (Frank) Nowak, Sonia (Matt) Pisut, Fran (Gordon) Nelli, Loretta (Thaddeus) Perry and Terry (Ray) Wysmierski,

Stephanie wanted to thank her son-in-law, Steve Montello, who was her caregiver and without his help she could have not remained at home.

Funeral services for Stephanie Ksiazak will be held Friday, June 9, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. from the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Roads, Joliet to St. Patrick's Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m.  Interment will be in Resurrection Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name to Joliet Area Community Hospice or St. Patrick Catholic Church would be appreciated.  Visitation will be Thursday, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com