Karlene Marie Swiatek's Obituary
Mrs. Karlene Marie Swiatek, age 87, passed away in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Friday, June 28, 2024 with her family by her side. She was born in Muskegon, Michigan to Ignacy and Clara (Adamczyk) Koniarski and graduated from Muskegon Heights High School, class of 1955. On July 27, 1957, Karlene married Raphael “Ralph” Swiatek in Muskegon. She was employed by the City of Norton Shores for over 20 years as the Parks and Recreation Secretary prior to her retirement in 1998. Karlene was a member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church and the Polish Union. Karlene loved life. She loved and cherished her social activities with family and friends and any travel opportunities, especially if it involved traveling up north. While working at the City of Norton Shores, she was considered the “Queen” of the City’s Parks & Recreation Department as she helped in many sports programs and successfully ran the annual Ross Park Arts & Crafts Fair event in its early years. Karlene and Ralph were exceptional polka dancers and took great joy in showing their skills together. She was a great cook and was famous for her potato salad, perfected from her mother-in-law’s Polish recipe. She had a special affection for her cats, and she enjoyed doing genealogy research with her daughter Catherine and sister Lucille. She loved gardening and loved her crafts. Karlene had a special pride for her daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved to talk about them when the opportunity arose. She was fondly considered the “favorite Aunt” by many of her nieces and nephews. Being very social, one of her favorite things to do was grab coffee with family or friends and just chat around the dinner table. Karlene had a special place in so many people’s lives. She was noted as caring, kind, sweet, helpful, special, and loving. She had a servant’s heart and always liked to be helpful in any way possible. She was ready to join her husband, Ralph, but will be greatly missed by all. Most importantly, Karlene loved her family and friends and cherished the time spent together. She is survived by her three daughters, Louise (Brian Todd) Swiatek, Catherine Swiatek, and Susan (Douglas) Isenga; four grandchildren, Jason (Amanda) Isenga, Nicholas Isenga, Morghan (Hannah Green) Isenga, and Camille Isenga; five great-grandchildren, Lakelyn, Londyn, Zaxtyn, Zayn, and Amelia; her twin brother, Karl Koniarski; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 63 years, Raphael “Ralph” Swiatek; her parents; and three siblings, Edward Koniarski, Lawrence Koniarski, and Lucille (Ralph) Hall. A PRIVATE FAMILY GRAVESIDE SERVICE was held for Karlene at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Family and Friends are invited to gather for a CELEBRATION OF LIFE for both Karlene and Ralph that will be held 1-4 PM Saturday, August 24, 2024, at Oakridge Golf Club (513 W Pontaluna Rd) in Norton Shores. You may sign her online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com MEMORIALS in memory of Karlene can be directed to The Harbor Hospice Foundation or Heaven Can Wait Animal Haven. Arrangements by The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444.
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