Loretta R. (Lilovich) Sikorski, 80, of LaPorte, died peacefully Monday, May 4, 2015, at her home with her family by her side.
She was born Nov. 24, 1934, in Chicago to Matt and Ethel (Ginay) Lilovich, the youngest of five children.
Loretta graduated from Bowen High School in 1952 and attended Purdue University. She worked for several years at the University of Chicago before moving to LaPorte to help her family run the Great Lakes Duck Farm. She was a member of Queen of All Saints Catholic Church, Coolspring Farmers Institute of Michigan City and LaPorte County Farm Bureau. Loretta was a loving wife and sister, and a devoted mother and grandmother. She always brought a smile and spunk to any place she went. She was a tomboy at heart who played volleyball and softball, but also loved to dance at the polka lounges in Chicago (she met the love of her life, her husband Eddie, at a polka dancing lounge). Loretta had a lifelong love of flowers and animals. She loved being a grandmother and enjoyed spending time with her grandkids on the farm.
On Sept. 10, 1966, she married Edwin Sikorski, who preceded her in death on April 19, 2008.
Loretta was also preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Virginia Lilovich; and her two brothers, George Lilovich and John Lilovich.
She is survived by one sister, Eleanor Lilovich of LaPorte; three sons, Matt (Janet) Sikorski of Michigan City, IN, Bob (Kristie) of Markleville, IN, and Bill (Kari) of Salt Lake City, UT; six grandchildren, Aaron, Derek, Jacob, Noah, Nate, and Hayden; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Friday, May 8, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Essling Funeral Home, LaPorte. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 9, at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church, Michigan City, where family and friends may visit one hour before the Mass. Burial will follow in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, 87th Street and Hamlin Avenue, Evergreen Park, IL.
Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.esslingfuneralhome.com.