Natalie Helen Zapalski Rzepecki

Friday, Nov. 27, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — Natalie Helen Zapalski Rzepecki died Nov. 11, 2015 of causes incident to age.

Natalie was the daughter of Polish immigrants who came to the United States at the turn of the 20th century in search of the American dream, first in the coal mines of West Virginia and then in the factories of Detroit. Natalie was born on Jan. 6, 1915 in Wheeling, W.V. 

She met her future husband, Adam Rzepecki, a strapping young man from the neighborhood, on the streets of Detroit when he offered her and her sisters a ride home. They married in 1935 at the depth of the Depression. Natalie joined her husband in the war effort as a real-life Rosie the Riveter. After the war, the couple opened a neighborhood grocery store, which they ran for several years. At the close of that business, Natalie became the manager of a high-end jewelry store, catering to the wives and sweethearts of General Motors executives. She retired at the age of 74 after the death of her husband. She had a happy retirement, first at Henry Ford Village in Dearborn, Mich., and then at Sunrise in Salt Lake City. 

Natalie was preceded in death by her sisters Lillian, Virginia and Adele. 

She is survived by her children: Carol (Jim), Christina, and Rick (Carole);  grandchildren Angela (Chuck), Melissa (Doug), Tim (Debbie), and Raquel;  great-grandchildren Strater (Christina), Zachary, and Noah; one great-great-granddaughter (Siena); sister Marge and brother Emil (Lillian). 

A celebration of her life was celebrated on Nov. 16 at Starks Funeral Parlor. A graveside committal was in Dearborn Heights, Mich. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.starksfuneral.com.