Obituary of Henriette L. Makowski

Henriette L. (Dolatowski) Makowski, 95, of Niles passed away at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles on Sunday, September 7, 2014, following a lengthy illness. She was born to the late Michael and Magdaline (Plouher) Dolatowski in South Bend, Indiana on July 9, 1919. She fell in love and married Albert Makowski in Elkhart, Indiana on December 19, 1934. The two of them celebrated over fifty years of marriage before his passing in 1993. Henriette was a quintessential homemaker, when she was younger she enjoyed cooking, baking and canning. There was never store bought bread because Henriette baked homemade bread and sweet rolls almost every day. In the summer she tended to a garden that was nearly one half of an acre, and Albert would harvest the fruits and vegetables and bring them home to Henriette to can for the winter months. She was also a talented seamstress and enjoyed singing and dancing, especially the polka and line-dancing. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church where she was a part of the Rosary Chapter as well as the Niles American Legion and the Red Hat Society. Truly, Henriette was a woman of many talents; however, she will be most remembered for the love and care she showed to her family and friends. She is preceded by her parents, her husband Albert, her daughter Elaine Bennett, two sisters and a brother. Henriette is survived by three sons; Larry Makowski of South Bend, Indiana, Richard (Kathleen) Makowski of Cedar Springs, Michigan and Donald (Sue) Makowski of Granger, Indiana. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, and a host of great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Those wishing to make a memorial donation in honor of Henriette may do so to Berrien County Cancer Service or St. Jude's Children's Hospital. A time of visitation will be held on Thursday, September 11, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Niles with a rosary service at 6:30 p.m. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, September 12, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Niles. An interment will follow at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens.