Genevieve Losiewicz Rodgers

Genevieve Losiewicz Rodgers (née Genevieve Marcella Kolodka), 98 years old, passed away on September 25, 2025 at her residence in Hemsley House at University Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado, after a protracted struggle with dementia.

Genevieve was born in 1927 in Midland, PA. The eldest of three children (Alex and Helen), she moved with her family to Jersey City, NJ as a child. Because both parents worked, she was responsible for making dinner and watching her siblings. Developing an intense interest in art, Genevieve haunted art museums in New York City and attended the opera with her friends.

She married Lt. Benjamin Losiewicz in 1945 upon his return to the U.S. after completing his B-17 missions in WWII. Together, they raised their daughter Sharon Marie and son Paul Benjamin as Ben was called to tours of duty in Guam, Iceland, OH, NJ, PA,CT, Japan (with a detour through Vietnam), and finally in CO. All the while, Genevieve maintained close ties with her siblings and led a very active life as a bon vivant in military social circles. She regularly opened her house to those in need, family or not, sheltering and succoring them. She was well known for her wicked sense of humor, her abiding love of family, the Air Force and animals, her piercing intuition about people, her Catholic religious devotion, and what seemed a personal mission to feed everyone around her as often as possible. A comment she made on more than one occasion captures much of her spirit: Speculating that she might go to hell, she would shrug and say, “Oh well. At least my friends will be there.”

In addition to her familial and social relations, Genevieve pursued the arts of ikebana and painting, producing a number of remarkable works that adorned her houses for many decades. She worked as the executive housekeeper for the Sheraton (now Academy Hotel), completed a degree in Education at Colorado State University, and taught life skills at Air Academy High School. Later in life, settled back in Colorado Springs, she taught gourmet cooking for city classes, was a Eucharistic Minister at the USAFA Community Center Chapel, and volunteered for the USO at Ft. Carson for eight years.

As their mother Hedwig aged and struggled with Parkinson’s, Genevieve and Helen began to care for her in their respective homes. Genevieve’s marriage to Ben ended upon his death in 1990. Her second husband, Felix Rodgers, passed in 1994. She then became a companion to the architect Pat Paderewski of San Diego, CA, and while living with him there, she joined a Polish American Club of San Diego, in which her advocacy for Polonia and her organizing efforts led to her election as President. Soon after, she was awarded a medal by the Polish government for encouraging such interests in Polish culture and keeping the club going for many years.

Genevieve was an amazing cook. Her children can still remember the cherry strudel she made, stretching the dough paper thin on a table cloth. She adhered to the traditional Polish Christmas Eve (Wigilia) foods, creating cherished memories for her family and friends. The Polish Club members in San Diego were recipients of her culinary talents at their balls and celebrations of Polish feasts. Genevieve loved a party and was at her sparkling best hostessing.

She is survived by her sister, Helen Weathersby, daughter, Sharon Kearns (Wade), son Paul Losiewicz (Beth), grandchildren Marcella Kearns, Trevor Kearns (Robin), Cesia Kearns, Amy Kearey, Kate Scheer (Karl), and great-grandchildren Cirdan Kearns, Silvia Kearey, Natalia Kearey, Ben Kearey, and Orianna Scheer. The many, many extended family members and friends who also loved her, and love her still, are a testimony to her warmth, wit, and boundless generosity of spirit.

Genevieve will rest with her first love Benjamin Losiewicz at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, CO. Gifts to the UCCS Aging Center or the USO are encouraged in lieu of flowers.

A Rosary will be held at St Patrick Roman Catholic Church, located at 6455 Brook Park Dr, Colorado Springs, CO, 80918, on October 16, 2025, from 9:15 am to 10:00 am. A Funeral Service will follow at the same location from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.

The Committal will take place at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 4400 W Kenyon Ave, Denver, CO, 80236, on October 16, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm.