Miriam D. Szymczak

Miriam Diane Szymczak was born November 21, 1933, in Lansing, Michigan, the daughter of DeVere and Emma Ervin. She died March 13, 2020, at Odebolt Specialty Care in Odebolt, Iowa, of dementia at the age of eighty-six.
Miriam graduated from Mason High School, Mason, Michigan in 1951, working as a secretary for Oldsmobile plant after graduation. On August 31, 1958, Miriam was united in marriage to Robert Zender and they were blessed with six children, Christine, Elizabeth (Lisa), John, Paul, Mark, and Matthew. Robert was a Michigan State Trooper which caused them to move frequently. The family settled in Harrison, Michigan, and owned Bob's Party Store. They loved to dance, bowl, and have card parties and were very involved in the community.
In 1978, the family moved to Bushnell, Florida, because of warmer weather, where Miriam enjoyed being a homemaker. She was united in marriage to Larry Szymczak on May 4, 1994, making their home in Leesburg, Florida. She liked fishing with Larry, doing water aerobics, and shopping at Big Lots to find that special deal. After Larry’s death in 2008, Miriam moved to Manilla, Iowa, to be closer to her daughter, and was active with the Golden Opportunity Club, Helping Hand Club and was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, singing in the choir. She cherished family functions such as weddings and births of her great-grandchildren. Miriam moved to Odebolt Assisted Living in 2015. She loved living there and was involved in bingo, playing cards and putting together puzzles. Miriam moved to Odebolt Specialty Care in Odebolt, Iowa, in August 2019, and she always looked forward to when the Loger's Sheltie Comfort Dogs visited. She loved watching the Packers on Sunday, but her favorite past time was watching Americas Funniest Videos and laughing. She was a dog lover and her dog, Zeus held a special place in her heart.
Miriam was preceded in death by her parents; her step mother Doris; two sisters, Janis and Barbara; brother Doug; son John; and husband Larry. She is survived by her children, Christine (Liane), Lisa (Dave), Paul (John), Mark (Jeanne), and Matthew (Edison); four grandchildren, Sarah (Tom), Erin, Luke and Avelina; five great-grandchildren, Keira, Jacob, Claire, Beckett, and Kyan; nieces, nephews, and other relatives.