Marie Joyce Lorenz

Marie Joyce Lorenz (Ziemkiewicz), age 85, from Sylvania, Ohio, passed away on

November 27, 2023. She was born on August 8, 1938, to Anna and Benedict

Mikolajczyk. Joyce married her first husband Ernie Ziemkiewicz in 1959. Together they

raised four children, Pam, Ernie Jr., Denise and Marie. In 1986, Joyce married David

Lorenz and they resided in Britton, Michigan where Joyce worked in the Britton School

System. She was a talented cake decorator and managed her own business, JL Cake

Designs, for over 30 years. Joyce was a member of the American Legion, the IMA

(International Music Association) and the Toledo Area Polka Society.

She and her husband David shared a deep passion for polka dancing, especially to the

music of the Duane Malinowski Polka Band. Joyce found immense pleasure in playing

bingo, cards, casino trips and sewing. She loved visits to the lake and pontoon rides,

and cherished time with her siblings, children and grandchildren. Joyce was a vibrant

member of the Girlfriends Club, creating treasured memories with her dear friends

LuDonna Wlordarski, Dorye Helminiak and Carol Wojtowicz. Joyce’s contagious

laughter filled the room at every family gathering. She will be remembered for

orchestrating epic Easter egg hunts and “Let’s Make A Deal” prizes. Be it family

gatherings or boat rides, Joyce never wanted things to end. She drew her happiness

from those around her. When asked about her final wishes, Joyce replied, “Have fun.

Don’t sit around and cry.” Her joyful spirit will be deeply missed by all whose lives she

touched.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Alvin (Ruth), Larry (Geraldine),

David (Stephanie), Jim Mikolajczyk and sister Patricia (John) Topolewski, as well as her

husbands David Lorenz and Ernie Ziemkiewicz.

Joyce is survived by her children: Pam (Tom) Rumpf, Ernie (Carla) Ziemkiewicz Jr.,

Denise (Mark) Lykowski, and Marie (Chuck) Nichols, six grandchildren, four great

grandchildren, sisters-in-law Beverly and Sophie Mikolajczyk, close friend Shirley

Ziemkiewicz and many stepchildren, nieces and nephews.

A special heartfelt thank you to the caregivers at Rosary Care Center during her final

chapter.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, January 27th, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Church, 8330 Lewis Ave, Temperance, Michigan. Visitation with the family will be

available at 10:00 a.m. at the church preceding the funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of

flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association online at: alz.org

or a donation to the food pantry of your choosing.