Veronica (Liz) Elizabeth Gracik, of East Tawas, Michigan, peacefully passed away, surrounded by her children, on Monday, August 21, at the age of 86. Veronica was born on July 9, 1937, in Tawas City, Michigan, to the late Andrew and Elizabeth (Ebert) Blust. She attended Tawas High School, graduating with the Class of 1955. She married Gerald D. Gracik on November 17, 1956, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in East Tawas. They had shared nearly 60 years together when Jerry passed away in April 2016.
Liz was a member of Holy Family Parish. Her joy in life came from caring for her family. She will always be remembered for the amazing homemade bread that she prepared weekly until she could no longer knead the dough and her endless energy in the kitchen where her cooking and canning were loved by everyone. She enjoyed playing cards with family and friends and could handle countless bingo cards in search of the jackpot. Later in life, Liz loved to play golf and take early morning casino trips that could last all day.
She is survived by her children: Tom (Laurie) Gracik of Newaygo, Linda (Scott) Potts of Fenton, Lee Rogers of Linden, Jerry (Julie) Gracik of Tawas City, Jim (Sharon) Gracik of Tawas City, Lori (Jeff) Wojahn of East Tawas, Lisa Frappier of Hartland. She also leaves behind 18 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and special friends.
Veronica was preceded in death by her parents, beloved husband, daughter, Barbara Rogers, brothers: James Blust, Bernard Blust, Harold Blust, Donald Blust, Kenneth Blust, and sisters: Grace Misner, Bernice Geresy and Dorothy Haglund.
A funeral liturgy will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at Holy Family Catholic Church, East Tawas, with Reverend Nicholas Cooper as the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in East Tawas. Visiting hours with the family will take place from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 25 at Buresh Funeral Home in Tawas City with a Rosary Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Friends may also visit with the family at the Church from 10:00 a.m. on Saturday until the time of the service. For those desiring to make a memorial donation, please consider Holy Family Catholic School, 411 Wilkinson Street, East Tawas, MI 48730 or St. John’s Christian Charity and Thrift, 115 1st Street, Tawas City, MI 48763. You may leave an online condolence at www.bureshfuneralhomes.com.
