Delores "Dee" Schwartz passed away November 27, 2021 at the age of 91 in Dearborn, Michigan.

She lived the virtues related in her favorite verse of scripture, "So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love" (1 Cor 13:13).  Dee was faithful to her Lord, hopeful in His grace but most of all she loved Jesus, her family and everyone she met.

Dee was born on June 27, 1930 in Edwardsville, Illinois, the oldest daughter of Martin and Laura Renken.

Her family included sisters Ruby and Darlene.  They were active members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville, Illinois.

She met the love of her life, Justin, at Trinity Lutheran School in Edwardsville.  While getting the school ready for the students and cleaning the windows, Justin on the outside and Dee on the inside, they looked into each other's eyes and fell in love.

After they were married on July 14, 1951, they accepted a call as teachers in Pueblo, CO. They encompassed the entire staff with Dee teaching grades k-3 and Justin teaching 4-8. Their first two children Gary and Debbie were born in Pueblo and after the death of Justin's father, his mother Laura came to live with them. She remained with them until her death in 1978.

Four years later they traveled to Dearborn, MI where Dee and Justin joined Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Nancy and Sue were soon born, completing their family.  Dee was an active member for over 60 years.  Her commitment to others was demonstrated in her involvement in Ladies Aid, Choir, Sunday School, Helping Hands, Bible Studies as well as starting various ministries to serve those in need.

Dee enjoyed traveling to her parent's home in Edwardsville and singing songs with the family along the way. She loved the many family reunions in Estes Park, Colorado.  She enjoyed making crafts and gardening.  Her home won multiple awards from the Dearborn City Beautiful Commission. But her greatest passion was the love of her Lord and her family.

Dee was the beloved wife of the late Justin and loving mom of Gary (Paula) Schwartz, Debbie (Gary) Glatfelter, Nancy (Mark) Malkowski and Sue (Ken) Baeckeroot.

She was the dear grandma of Andy, Tim, Laura, Richard, Ken, Joe, Annie, Mark, Austin, Kyle and Abbey.

Dee was the proud great grandma of Allison, Ethan, Jack, Audrey, Kaitlyn, Dylan, Megan, Madelyn, Lily,

Grady, Anna, Arie, Calvin, Emma, Eldon, Mia, Henry, Evan, Layla, Willow, Ford and Carter.

She is preceded in death by her parents Martin and Laura Renken, in-laws Carl and Laura Schwartz, sister Darlene Hellman, sister-in-law Carolyn Boeskool, and brothers-in-law Walt Schwartz, Chip Harms and Irv Boeskool.  She leaves behind her sister Ruby Harms brother-in-law Bernie Hellmann and many loving nephews and nieces.

Memorial gifts may be donated to: Emmanuel Lutheran Church & School, 800 S. Military St., Dearborn, MI 48124, 313-565-4002.