Kathryn Lynn (Bowerman) Zelazoski

Kathryn Lynn Zelazoski, lovingly known as Katy, passed away at her home in Kennesaw following a lengthy illness. She was born in Munising on October 6, 1944 to William “Bill” and Glenna (Depew) Bowerman. Raised in Munising, she graduated from Sacred Heart School and then Wm. G. Mather High School in 1963. Katy attended a business school in Milwaukee where she met Leonard Zelazoski.  She and Lenny were married on July 11, 1964 and together raised their four children. Katy was a homemaker and an active member of Sacred Heart Church. In 1982, Lenny’s job with Kimberly-Clark moved the family to Kennesaw, Georgia. She attended St. Catherine of Siena. Katy worked in the cash room and layaway department at Kmart and later as a food service worker (lunch lady) at Pine Mountain Middle School and finally at Chalker Elementary School, where she retired after 21 years.

Katy had a heart bigger than the world and was kind, loving, sweet, and wanted everyone to get along. She always found the best in people. She had a wonderful laugh and was always smiling. She was a great cook and baker and especially loved Christmastime where she would cook, bake, and decorate every room in the house. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and her favorite thing was to have all of her family together, even if it was crazy. Many times, you would hear Elvis or Neil Diamond playing in the background. Katy loved to play bingo (at home, the VFW, and at the Knights of Columbus hall), play cards (especially Thirty-one and Cribbage) with the kids and grandkids. If she lost, she would jokingly accuse her competition of cheating. There was a lot of love in Katy’s life and even though she is gone from us, her legacy will live on in all who loved her. She was an incredible wife, mother, Mema, and friend who inspired everyone who knew her.

Katy’s memory will forever be in the hearts of those who survive her. She survived by her husband of over fifty-six years – Lenny Zelazoski of Kennesaw, GA; their children – Greg (Kim) Zelazoski of Advance, NC; Carrie (Joe) Stewart of Canton, GA; Kelly (Jim) Bitner of Kennesaw, GA; and Nicole (Michael) Boney of Atlanta, GA. She was Mema to – Ethan; Jeff (Miranda), Joey (Sara), Madison; James, Jack; Bryce, Michelle, Joshua, and Michael, Jr.; great-grandchildren – Chandler, Natalie, and Steven; Weston and Joelle; sister to – Beezie MacNeil, Patty (Bill) Nash, Richard (Mary) Bowerman, Tom (Kelly Kurk) Bowerman, David (Heather) Bowerman, Ken (Barbie) Bowerman, Jeffy (Debbie) Bowerman and Kim (Mike) Harris; brothers and sisters-in-law – Keith (Pat) Zelazoski, Arlene Baraniak, Ron Zelazoski, Mary Zelazoski, and Lynne Bowerman. She was preceded in death by her parents - Bill and Glenna; brothers William “Butch” and Bob Bowerman; in-laws – Bob Zelazoski, Heidi Zelazoski, Jack Baraniak, Lois (Skip) Morgan, and Bruce MacNeil; grandchildren – JL (James Leonard) and Abigail Grace Bitner.

Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m.  Katy’s funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 with Father Michael Ocran officiating.  Interment will follow at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising.