Stella C. Pavelek

Stella C. Pavelek passed away surrounded by loved ones on May 2, 2023, at the age of 90 years old. Beloved wife of Francis Pavelek. Loving mother of William J. (the late Margaret) Lindeman, Barbara (Bill) Stickney, Dorothy (Brown Comito) Lindeman, Mary (Jim) Hawkinson, Thomas (Renee) Lindeman, and James Lindeman. Cherished grandmother to 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Sister to Clifford (Evelyn) Kinnunen. Predeceased by her parents, Herman and Mayme Kinnunen (Koskela), stepmother, Mayme Kinnunen (Johnson), and siblings, Yalmer Edward M. Mattson, Sylvia S. Lammie (Mattson), Alice K. Mattson, Mary R. Mattson, Mildred Rank (Kinnunen), and Carl Kinnunen. Stella was born on November 18, 1932, in Hancock, MI, which is located in Michigan's upper peninsula. Her mother passed away when she was 6 years old and her family eventually moved to Detroit, where her father found employment in the automotive industry. She finished her schooling there and graduated from John J. Pershing High School, Detroit, MI, in June 1950. After high school, Stella worked as a bookkeeper for a local company and a short time later, she and William N. Lindeman were married. They started a family, which eventually grew to 6 children, and she was a stay-at-home mom raising them. She was a founding and active member of St. Mathias Church, Sterling Heights, MI, and a member of the St. Matthias Altar Society. She was also taught catechism at St. Matthias and coached girls' softball in the Sterling Heights summer recreation league. As her children grew older, Stella decided to go back to work and started a career in fine jewelry sales. After starting as a salesperson at Sears, Roebuck & Co. she worked her way up to becoming the Fine Jewelry Department manager. She eventually moved on to the J.C. Penny Co., first as its Fine Jeweler Department Manager and then as a Fine Jewelry buyer. After retirement from Penny's, she worked part-time as an administrative assistant at Prototec Laser and Beaumont Hospice. In 1998, Stella married her second husband, Francis Pavelek. They had a wonderful marriage of 25 years together, where they enjoyed spending time with their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, traveling around the U.S. and Europe, music, dancing, and golf. Stella was proud of her Finnish heritage and would sometimes speak to her children of the Finnish concept "Sisu." Sisu is described as an almost mystical inner strength and determination that one finds in the face of extreme adversity, a strength that goes beyond one's physical and mental capabilities. It's a national character trait that the Finnish people are very proud of. Stella faced her life's difficult challenges and adversity with the spirit of Sisu and that spirit lives on in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her children are all very grateful for her love, support, strength, and guidance. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. A memorial gathering will take place at St Mary of the Hills Catholic Church, located at 2675 John R. Rd. Rochester Hills, MI. 48307, from 10:00am until the time of the memorial mass as 11:00am.

Stella C. Pavelek

November 18, 1932 - May 2, 2023