Lola Mary Zaremba

Lola Mary Zaremba of Traverse City, Michigan & Fort Myers, Florida passed away peacefully while surrounded with family on Tuesday, September 3, 2013. Lola was born to Carl & Maida Barth in Blissfield, Michigan on May 24, 1917. After graduating from high school in Lyons, Ohio, Lola attended Bowling Green State University, graduating in 1939 with a bachelor’s degree in education. At Bowling Green, Lola was captain of the women’s swimming team and a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority. Beginning teaching in Delta, Ohio she found herself coaching Boy’s Varsity Football and Varsity Basketball. Lola married Chester Edwin Zaremba Sr. on November 1, 1941. Chet preceded her in death this year on February 21st. Lola & Chet moved to Traverse City in 1955, where she continued teaching and raising four children, all of whom survive. Kathleen (Kathy) Kroupa of Traverse City, Stanley (Stan) and wife Carol of Traverse City, Chester Jr. (Chet) and wife Jennifer of Petoskey, and Thomas (Tom) and wife Kathleen (Kathie) of Madison, Wisconsin. Lola is also survived by her brother Harold (Delores) Barth of Adrian, Michigan and brother Richard (Phyllis) of Parma, Ohio, 10 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren. Also preceding her in death is a sister, Flossie Mossing and brother, Harvey Barth. While teaching & raising her children, Lola continued her higher education and obtained a Master’s Degree in Education and a Master’s Degree in School Administration from Michigan State University. Lola had a love of geology, ecology and strove to protect the Great Lakes and surrounding water shed. Lola & her husband spent the summer of 1973 in China after then President Nixon opened travel, which was limited to educators that year. Lola spent most of her teaching career in the Traverse City Public School system, teaching American History until her retirement. She was an active member of the Traverse City Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) group for many years. The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Willow Cottage of the Grand Traverse Pavilions, and Munson Hospice House, for their special care and treatment of our mother, Interment will be in the Bohemian Cemetery on Old Mission Peninsula, where she will be laid to rest with her husband of 71 years. It is suggested that any charitable donations, in her memory, be sent to the charity of your choice.

Lola Mary Zaremba

May 24, 1917 - September 3, 2013