Jozefa Dzioba

Jozefa Dzioba of Chicago, Illinois went to join Our Lord at the age of ninety-six. Jozefa was born in Janow, Poland, which later became Dolina, Ukraine. At the age of ten, she and her family were forced from their home by Russian soldiers and sent by cattle car to Siberia for 2 years of near starvation and labor. After being granted freedom from the Russians, Jozefa and her family again boarded cattle cars for a 2-month journey to Uzbekistan in Central Asia.

Eventually they were taken to a Polish camp In Tehran, Iran. Jozefa later attended a Polish military boarding school as a Unaczka, in Nazareth. Here she spent some of her happiest years, making lifelong friendships. In 1949, Jozefa and family emigrated to England. In England, she married, her son Rich was born and eventually emigrated to the United States in 1951.

The Polish culture was important to Jozefa. She passed down traditions, language, and her love for the Polish culture to family. At the age of seventy-seven, Jozefa wrote and published a book of her memoirs so that future generations would know what she, her family, and thousands of Poles endured during World War II.

Jozefa loved to cook, bake, and sew for her family. Her family was everything to her. She enjoyed traveling, hunting for mushrooms, and visiting her beloved cottage in Michigan.

Jozefa was preceded in death by her parents, Jozef and Paulina Dziurman, sister Maria Szlemp, first husband Walter Szponder and later her husband, Jim Dzioba, and son, Rich Szponder.

Jozefa is survived by Bonnie Szponder (Rich), Liz Pauli (Steve), Diane Horne (George), Pete Szponder (Jill), also nine grandchildren, Rich Szponder (Sean), Angela Schuchardt (Eric), Amanda Wohlberg (Drew), Lisa Pauli (Marc Cucco), Joe Pauli (Ali), Dan Szponder, Alyssa Dolan (Alex), Carl Horne (Eimileanne), Mary Grace Horne and nine great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Angel’s Grace Hospice for providing Jozefa with dedicated and tender care.

Donations may be made to: Center for Dementia Research www.cdr.rfmh.org.

Visitation for Jozefa will be on Friday, May 15, 2026, from 4:00 PM. to 8:00 PM., at Ridge Funeral Home, 6620 West Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60638. Visitation on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 9:30 AM. to 11:00 AM., with prayer service starting at 11:00 AM., at Ridge Funeral Home, 6620 West Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60638. Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 AM., at St. Faustina Kowalska Parish, 5251 South McVicker Ave, Chicago, IL 60638. Graveside Service at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery & Mausoleums, 7201 Archer Road, Justice, IL 60458. For information call 773-586-7900 or visit www.ridgefh.com.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridgefh.com for the Dzioba Family.