Josephine Sieroslawski

Josephine Sieroslawski, 91, of Mishawaka, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, early Saturday morning, November 4, 2017 in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.

Josephine was born December 28, 1925 in Poland, a daughter of the late Walter and Helen (Ulham) Pogoda. Josephine was a survivor of the Concentration Camp in Poland. In the concentration camp her father told her, get to America. Your life may not be better, your children’s life will be a little better, but your grandchildren’s life will be a lot better. She later lived in England where she was an aircraft mechanic with the English Army.

On October 25, 1947 in England, she married John Sieroslawski. They came to the United States in 1950 and settled in Mishawaka in 1951.

Josephine was employed for 32 years at Ball Band (Uniroyal) and worked on fuel cells for airplanes at the time of retirement. She was a member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Mishawaka. She also belonged to Haller Post as well as the Polish National Alliance both in South Bend. Josephine was talented in crocheting and made hundreds of afghans over the years. She was an excellent cook and was especially known for her Polish dishes, Pierogies and Golumpkies. She was an avid flower gardener and enjoyed caring for her lawn and was still mowing this past summer.

Josephine was preceded in death by her husband, John; sons, Jerry Sieroslawski and Steven Sieroslawski and sister, Anna Bort.

Josephine’s surviving family includes her daughters, Krys Montague of Mishawaka and Shelley (Scott) Sieroslawski-Holmen of Valparaiso; five grandchildren, Stacy (Joe) Montague-Soltas, Kristen (Megan) Sieroslawski-Montague, James John (Monica Conard) Montague, John Joseph (Becky) Holmen and Emily Josephine Holmen; and three great grandchildren, Kaitlynne Montague-McGrath, Chance Montague-Soltas and Sophia Holmen.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am on Thursday in St. Monica Catholic Church, 222 West Mishawaka Ave., Mishawaka with Rev. Jacob Meyer as celebrant. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 – 7 pm on Wednesday in Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 West 3rd Street, Mishawaka, where a prayer service will be held at 5:30 pm. Visitation is also from 9 – 10 am Thursday at church.

Memorials are suggested to St. Monica Catholic Church.