Marie A. Sajdak

Marie A. Sajdak, age 99 passed away on Monday, October 4, 2021 at New Hope Bay, Bay City. The daughter of the late Edward and Clara (Schmidt) Schutt was born on April 22, 1922, in Bay City, Michigan.
In July 1946, Marie married Anthony ("Tony") Sajdak, and they enjoyed 55 years of marriage before Anthony's death in September 2001. Marie also was preceded in death by her parents and her three siblings: Clarence, Irwin, and Bertha.
Marie is survived by her five children, seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and friends. Children and their families include daughter Nancy (Gerald) Manning of Bay City, grandson Brian (Tanya Lamnin) Manning, and great-grandchildren Evan and Noah Manning of Birmingham, MI; son Robert (Susan Newman) Sajdak of Clarkston, MI, grandson John A. Waltham Sajdak (Catherine Waltham), and great-grandchildren Claire and William Waltham-Sajdak of Centreville, VA, and grandson Christopher (Brittany Conroy) Sajdak of Denver, CO; son David (Carol Jean Kramer) Sajdak of Kawkawlin, MI, granddaughter Amy (Derek) Ingle, great-grandchildren Brayden, Isabelle, and Aydia Ingle of Auburn, MI, and grandson Kyle Sajdak of Bay City, MI; son Daniel (Sharon Miller) Sajdak of Grand Blanc, MI, and grandson Matthew Sajdak of Sheboygan, Wl; and daughter Carol Ann (Matthew) Rivette and grandson Michael Rivette of Saginaw Township, MI.
Marie was part of the Greatest Generation that was shaped by the Great Depression and World War II. She shared stories of challenges during the Depression, of her parents' emerging Depression Era business (The Big Tent), of ration lines and coupons, of limited availability of food, and of victory gardens. During World War II she walked to work at the Autolite factory in her neighborhood to work on an assembly line there.
Marie retained a deep fondness for her lifelong neighborhood. Following marriage, her children and their families became her unending focus and pride. For many decades she hosted large family gatherings for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and birthday celebrations.
Marie also enjoyed gardening, needlework and crafts, baking, and friendships with extended family and many others. From spring through fall each year, she gardened in her multiple flower beds and farm-like garden. Family and friends often benefited from food gifts including fresh strawberries, sweet corn, tomatoes, peaches, raspberries, canned dill pickles and homemade sauerkraut, and even dried fruits and vegetables. North-facing windowsills in their ranch-style home designed by Tony were filled with African violets, often started from slips, and other windowsills held plants started from seeds or slips and often held over from her flower gardens.
She was skilled in many forms of needlework and crafts and enjoyed making Christmas ornaments and giving handmade gifts. For several years she was a regular exhibitor at local bazaars where she sold needlecraft and nature decorations plus foods including her homemade jellies and perfected Springerle cookies.
Marie was a longtime member of Corpus Christie (Holy Trinity) Catholic Church, a past member of the local Herb Society, and a 35-year member of TOPS.
Marie's family would like to thank all who have offered their prayers, condolences, and support and also the staffs at Bay County Division on Aging, New Hope Bay, and The Care Team and Heart to Heart hospice providers for their care
Private services will take place and burial will be in Floral Gardens Cemetery, Bay City. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial to Corpus Christi Parish or to a charity of their choice. For online condolences visit www.gephartfuneralhome.com