Lottie Engel

Lottie Engel, age 92 of Warren died at her home, August 14, 2005. Lottie was born August 22, 1912 in Detroit, Michigan and was baptized at St. Stanislaus Church. She was the oldest child of Walter and Caroline (nee: Kurzawa) Strenk, young immigrants of Poland. While her parents went to work, seven-year-old Lottie babysat her younger sister, Jennie and brother Walter. At nine years old she went to White School, then St. Florians (First Holy Communion) and finished with the ninth grade at Cleveland Intermediate. Later, Lottie worked at Briggs Manufacturing Plant as a stock chaser. Her early memories of childhood were enjoying picnics every Sunday with family and friends at Belvidere and Warsaw Parks. She loved to walk to dances (Greystone Ballroom on Woodward, Detroit and Cannas Hall on Conant, Hamtramck) with her sister Jennie and friends, Lydia and Louise. At Cannas Hall, she met Bruno Engel who played the violin in one of the bands. On their first date, they went to the Fox Theatre. Bruno and Lottie had a six month engagement and married August 6, 1930 at Queen of Apostles Church in Hamtramck. They honeymooned in Niagara Falls. Bruno worked as a butcher at Crowleys and also helped in his parents grocery store. Later, he became a butter, eggs and cheese distributor to independent grocery stores. When they were first married, Lottie and Bruno lived with her parents for one year and then moved to Norwalk St. in Hamtramck for five years where Carl (October, 1931) was born. Then, they moved to Dequindre where Arlene (February, 1935) and Sylvia (March, 1938) were born. Later, they moved to their new home on Dwyer St., Detroit where Carol (May, 1944) was born. Their family really expanded. Carl married Delphine in 1952 and have three children, Carla, Kevin and Michelle. Arlene and Leonard married in 1955 and have five children Christine, David, Dennis, John (deceased August 1995) and Ronald. Sylvia married Leo in 1956 and have three children, Michael, Kathy and Cynthia. Carol and Larry married in 1965 and have three children, Christopher, Julie and Laurie. Lottie was also blessed with 28 great grandchildren. She loved to spend time with all her children, reading them stories, playing card games, watching recitals or sporting events. Everyday she prayed for each and every one of them and always remembered their birthdays. She also loved to listen to Polkas or watch Elvis on TV and was always packed and ready to go whenever anyone called. After Carol and Larry were married, Lottie decided to venture out and worked at Hamtown making pierogi, pickles, and other Polish dishes. She was employed there for Ten years. In the late 70s, Lottie and Bruno decided to move and live in an apartment on Longview in Warren and attended St. Sylvester Church where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, 1980. Lottie walked to church every morning with friends. After Bruno died of a massive heart attack on October 12, 1986, Lottie continued to live on Longview for a few years and after much persuasion she moved in September 2000 to Warren Glenn Presbyterian Village, a senior apartment complex. There, she joined a rosary group, enjoyed playing Pinochle, Kings in the Corner card games, Bingo, going on bus trips and especially socializing with all the residents. Besides enjoying all the activities, she loved to crochet Afghans, clothes hangers and pot holders plus making meatloaf, applesauce and baking her delicious sweet bread. Her greatest joy was her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Moms love and prayers will never be forgotten by those she loved. Visitation for Lottie will be Wednesday from 2-9 pm, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Rd. at Common, (12 mile). There will also be a Rosary Service Wednesday Evening at 7 p.m. Lottie will lie in state Thursday 9:00 am at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, (13 1/2 Mile on Hoover) until the time of Funeral Mass 9:30 am. Officiating the Funeral Mass will be Rev. Fr. Jaroslaw Pilus. Please share memories of Lottie at the guest book.