Louise Ann (Schmalholz) Zielinski

Louise Ann Zielinski, age 85, of Boot Lake, passed away at her home on Sunday afternoon, April 11, 2021 under the loving care of her family and North Woods Hospice following a long battle with ALS.  She was born on May 9, 1935 in Detroit, Michigan to Harold and Mary (Zwinikas) Schmalholz.  Louise graduated from Milan High School in 1953.  She married Gerald “Jerry” Zielinski on December 31, 1986 and have together loved their blended family.  Louise was a talented and sought-after restaurant cook.   She worked in the kitchens of the Red Cedar, Dogpatch, Waterfront, Jack Pine, Cherrywood, Boot Lake, Bear Trap, Tanglewood, Foggy’s, Forest Inn, casino, and restaurants in Florida and Arizona.  Louise was a wonderful cook, baker, jam maker, and canner.  When living in Florida, she would make pasties, pies, and cookies and be sold out quickly at the Sarasota area flea markets.  Louise loved her family and enjoyed playing cards with them at her home.  She was gifted at gardening, beadwork, making dream catchers, knitting, and crocheting.  Louise also enjoyed picking blueberries, hunting for mushrooms, taking trips to the casino to play the slots and bingo, being with her dogs, and enjoying breakfast stops of chocolate milk and donuts.

She is lovingly survived by her husband – Jerry; their children – Lou Ann Singer (Jim Lakosky) of Boot Lake, Daniel (Dorothy) Singer of Jackson, MI, James Zielinski, Sr. of Munising, Robert (Shannon) Zielinski of Sarasota, FL, and Laurie Ollila of Munising; grandchildren – Aubrey, Jacob, Michelle, Miranda, Rhiannon, Christa, Jesse, Daniel, Tabitha, Luke, Sarah, Desiree, Josiah, Destiny, Heather, Taylor, Danielle, Savanna, James Jr., Taylor, Tyler, Jessica, Ashley, Courtney, Chelsea, and Megan; numerous great-grandchildren; sister – Marilyn (John) VanWinkle of Colon, MI; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Louise was preceded in death by her parents; children – Fred Norton Singer, Julie Marie Belfry, and Michael Zielinski; and sisters – Joan Dixon and Lillian Hurley.

Visiting time will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Friday, April 16, 2021 from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m.  During that time, Covid precautions and attendance regulations will be observed as directed by the MDHHS. Masks will be required, and the funeral home staff will be assisting with social distancing and the 25-person attendance restriction .  If able and your last name begins with A-F, please attend between 4:00 and 5:00.  If G – M, please come between 5:00 and 6:00.  If N-S, please attend between 6:00 and 7:00.  If T-Z, please come between 7:00 and 8:00.