Linda Jo (Grabarek) Otolski
August 28, 1945 — December 25, 2022
Linda Jo Otolski, age 77 of Mishawaka, passed away December 25, 2022, after a short stay at The Caring Cottage Group Home in South Bend. Linda was born August 28, 1945, in South Bend to the late John and Agnes (Molnar) Grabarek. Linda married Ronald Otolski on November 23, 1967, and they celebrated 52 years of marriage before Ron’s passing on March 6, 2020. Ron affectionately called her “Lulu”. Linda and Ron were lifelong residents of Townhouse East of Mishawaka.
Surviving are her children Rhonda (Chris) Marietta of Granger and Brian (Tammy) Otolski of Osceola. Surviving as well are her grandchildren Sam Fenlon, Jordan Otolski, Amber Otolski and a great grandson Isaiah Otolski. Also surviving are her siblings Bill (Lisa) Grabarek and Frank (Melody) Grabarek, and her sisters-in-law Mary Ann Grabarek, Judy Grabarek and Janet Grabarek as well as brothers-in-law Bob and Terry Otolski. Linda was preceded in death by her brothers Tom and Don Grabarek and her sisters-in-law Jackie Grabarek and Pat Otolski.
Visitation will be held from 5-7 pm Friday, January 6, 2023, at Cruz Family Funeral Home in Osceola. Fr. Terry Fisher will officiate the 7:00pm funeral service immediately following visitation.
Linda was employed part time for over 25 years and retired from JC Penney’s in Mishawaka. If you saw Linda outside of work, she was likely on her way to get her nails done, going shopping or meeting up for lunch with her childhood friends from St. Stanislaus Elementary School. Linda had a love for country music (Keith Urban and Luke Bryan being her favorites) and Elvis, which she often played while cruising in her powder blue convertible Solara. Linda loved McDonald’s caramel frappes and anything sweet. Black licorice and peppermint patties were her favorites. Linda loved going to the casinos to play the slots. Linda lived for spending time with her family, especially enjoying celebrations for holidays, birthdays, and weddings. She loved being in the sun and going to the beach. Linda enjoyed making family recipes like chicken paprikash, oftentimes convincing others to join her in the annual tradition of baking kieflies, a Hungarian cookie. Linda was affectionately known to her numerous nieces and nephews simply as “Auntie.” Linda was especially fond of her youngest nieces, Kate and Joanna, and loved her grandson Sam immensely who she referred to as her “sweet face boy”.
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