Ruth I. Magdzinski
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Ruth I. Magdzinski, 93, of Bridgman, passed away on Dec. 28, 2020 at Woodland Terrace Senior Living. Ruth was born in Union Pier on April 24, 1927, to Joseph and Emma (Jirsa) Konvalinka. She attended elementary school at the old Union Pier School and New Buffalo High School, graduating in 1944. After graduation, she worked at the A & P grocery store in Michigan City, where she met and later married the love of her life, John R. "Johnny" Magdzinski. They were married on May 24, 1947, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in New Buffalo. The two were happily married for almost 68 years before his passing in 2015. The two enjoyed spending time at the beach and bowling on several different couples' teams. After retirement, they traveled the States in their mobile home. They spent three months every winter at their home in Naples, FL and always celebrated Christmas there. They LOVED to dance, particularly the polka, and were the life of the party at many a wedding over the years. For about 12 years, they travelled every year to Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, for the annual Oktoberfest. After moving to Lakeside, Ruth became a member of the Lakeside Association and the Lakeside School PTA. She worked hard for the community events such as, hiding eggs for the annual Easter egg hunt, volunteering for the Ice Cream Social, and co-founding the long-lasting Lakeside Association Craft Show in the Park. Ruth also served on the Chikaming Township Park Board for about 18 years. Ruth worked as an insurance agent for Metropolitan Life, and was their first woman insurance agent in this district. She later started working as a real estate agent for Bun Baldwin Real Estate Agency, and soon became a broker and started her own business, Lakeside Country Shores Realty. She was in real estate for 30 years until she retired. Ruth is survived by her daughter, Kathy (Steve) Beldorth of Lakeside; son, Stephen Magdzinski of Kalamazoo, MI; grandchildren, Ion Beldorth, Stephanie (Jason) Ashcraft, Christopher (Brooke), and Ted (Laura) Magdzinski, and Julia (Chris) Thurley; great-grandchildren, Jacob, Jaxon, & Jessi Ashcraft, Taylor, Max, Brady, Miles & Calvin Magdzinski and Sasha Thurley; and niece, Shirley Lindborg. She was preceded in death by her husband, John; parents, Joseph and Emma; brothers, Joseph Jr. and George Konvalinka; sisters, Dorothy Konvalinka, Irma Smith, and Loretta Sadenwater; and niece, Joanne Smith. Arrangements have been entrusted to Sommerfeld Chapel in New Buffalo. A private family burial has taken place at Lakeside Cemetery. The family would like to thank all Ruth's friends, family, and nursing staff who kept her spirits up these past few years. Memorials may be made to the Harbor Country Emergency Food Pantry, 301 N Elm St, Three Oaks, MI 49128, Caring Circle Hospice of Lakeland, https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/caring-circle/give-now/donate, Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis, www.rileykids.org or to any COVID relief organization of your choice. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.sommerfeldchapel.com.