Mary Katherine Achtabowski

Mary Katherine Achtabowski of Saginaw, Michigan

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, on Saturday, December 2, 2023. She was 78 years old. Mary Katherine Bauer was born on September 10, 1945, in Saginaw, Michigan, to the late Joseph Harold and Maxine Lillian (LaLonde) Bauer. She was a proud graduate of Ss. Peter & Paul High School. Following graduation, Mary attended beauty school to become a licensed beautician and cosmetologist. She met the love of her life, Richard Thomas Achtabowski, while at a dance at the Saginaw Auditorium. They dated, fell in love, and were united in marriage on January 30, 1965; he survives her. She worked as a beautician her entire life, eventually purchasing, owning, and operating the Jarvis Tanning and Beauty Salon on the corner of Court and Alexander Streets. The role of her lifetime, and one she treasured and cherished, was to be a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Mary was a longtime and faithful member of Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, St. Dominic Parish. She enjoyed spending time knitting and crocheting creating many dish towels, cloths, and baby blankets for all her grandchildren. Mary also enjoyed traveling and taking trips camping with family and friends. She will forever be remembered as a woman of great strength, for her warm smile and friendly spirit, and for truly living an amazing life filled with many beautiful memories and stories.

Surviving are her husband of 58 years, Richard T. Achtabowski of Saginaw; three sons: Richard Thomas Achtabowski Jr. of Saginaw; Robert Joseph (Joey) Achtabowski of Saginaw; Jason Michael (Susan) Achtabowski of Saginaw; 11 grandchildren: Robert (Kayla) Achtabowski, Justin Priebe, Joseph Achtabowski, Jon Chandler, Brandon Benton, Anessa Achtabowski, Tiffini Okowit, Brandon Achtabowski; Blake Achtabowski, Trevor Achtabowski, Kaidon Achtabowski; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Barbara (Richard) Burns of Rockford; two sisters-in-law: Ardis Bauer and Kay Bauer; and a brother-in-law, Joseph Achtabowski. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and dear friends.   

She was preceded in death by a son, Daniel Kevin Achtabowski; a granddaughter, Courtney Koch; two brothers: Roger Bauer and Thomas Bauer; and her parents, Joseph and Maxine Bauer; two brothers-in-law: John (Joann) Achtabowski and William Achtabowski; and 2 sisters-in-law, Sandra Scoles and Cora Achtabowski.

A Funeral Service will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at the W. L. Case and Company Funeral Directors, 4480 Mackinaw Road, Saginaw, Michigan, 48603. Rev. John R. Johnson will officiate. Family and friends are welcome to gather with the family on Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the family c/o Richard Achtabowski. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home or through www.casefuneralhome.com.