Myrtle Mary Lownik

Myrtle Mary (Patka) Lownik, 92, of Freeport, died Saturday December 21, 2013 at FHN Memorial Hospital. She was born on September 6, 1921, the only child of Henry and Nellie Patka in Chicago, IL. Myrtle Mary Patka and Felix Joseph Lownik were married on June 23, 1945, in Chicago, IL. At that time Dr. Lownik was serving in the U.S. Army Air Force Tactical Command and Mrs. Lownik accompanied him during his tours of duty at Fort Sam Houston in Texas and to his posting in Virginia as well until he shipped overseas during World War II. When Dr. Lownik returned from military service he and Myrtle resided in Saginaw, MI until moving to Freeport in 1953 where they continued to live to the present time and made their home. Myrtle was educated in Chicago Schools, and attended St. Mary's College in South Bend, IN. She was a trained mortician and was employed in that capacity at Patka Mortuary in Chicago until her marriage to Felix J. Lownik in June of 1945. Mrs. Lownik actively supported Dr. Lownik in his medical practice, and in the raising of their four children. She served as Secretary of the Stephenson County Medical Society Auxiliary for a period of time. Memberships included Germania Club, Elks Club, Moose Club, Freeport Country Club, Quadrillion, Sodality Society, and a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish since coming to Freeport. Myrtle was an extremely kind, cheerful, caring, and charitable woman who was known to many for her personal acts of kindness, individual giving, and helpfulness. Myrtle is survived by her children Mary Meyers of Freeport, IL, John (Ana) Lownik of New York, NY, and Joseph (Lauren) Lownik and their son Cody of Seattle, WA. She was preceded in death by her husband Felix, her son James Lownik, and son-in-law Riley Meyers. A funeral mass for Mrs. Lownik will be held at 9:30 A.M. Tuesday December 24, 2013 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church with Father Ken Anderson officiating. There will be no visitation. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in her memory.