Elizabeth Ann (Zdunek) Stolarek

Elizabeth "Betty" Stolarek, 77, passed away peacefully on April 4th, 2025, at 12:15 p.m.

She was a devoted daughter, mother, grandmother, wife, educator, parishioner, and mentor to several people, too many to mention. Betty was born on April 23, 1947, to Mitchell and Evelynn Zdunek in Chicago, Illinois after her upbringing in Northbrook and Chicago she received her Doctor in Philosophy degree from the University of Illinois and then moved to Big Rapids with her two children to begin her career teaching in the Department of Languages and Literature at Ferris State University. During her 25 years there, she was promoted from Assistant to Associate to Full Professor. She was instrumental in developing both the BS in English Education as well as the BA in English. She developed and taught courses on the teaching of composition and the teaching of literature, and in her final years at Ferris was asked to serve as a mentor to new faculty through the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning. She was also the Director of the Institute for Critical Thinking.

Betty was a prolific writer. She co-authored two non-fiction works for college student, published by Pearson: Classical Techniques and Contemporary Arguments, with Larry Juchartz (2006). American Dreams, a Longman Topics Reader, with Larry Juchartz and Christy Rishoi (2008). She also authored three novels, published by Plain View Press: One Amber Bead (2011), My Mother's Daughter (2019), Coming to Be: A Novel (2020).

Betty was a strong supporter of Artworks in Big Rapids, working tirelessly on fund development for the organization in its fledgling years. She took part in the NovelTea book discussion group as well as the Foreign Film group. Also a long time member and supporter of Delta Kappa Gamma.

Betty was a long-time member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Big Rapids. Among her many ministries there, she was President of the Women of St. Andrews, served on the Parish Vestry, hosted parish book studies, and hosted the annual service and picnic in her home.

In 2012, Betty retired from Ferris, and then spent her time participating in the activities of her church family and supporting Artworks by selling her novels in the gift shop and appearing at artist's demonstrations and book signings.

Betty is predeceased by her parents and her ex-husband, Ted. She is survived by her sister, Barb, her son, Thaddeus, her daughter, Rebecca, and her three grandchildren: Ada, Emilia and Isaac.

Services will be held at St. Andrews Episcopal Church May 3rd, 2025 at 1:00 p.m., and the Women of St. Andrews will provide a reception.