Lillian Orzechowski

Lillian (Gabrus) Orzechowski of Iola, died Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, at the age of 97.

Lillian was born on Oct. 15, 1928, in Ogrodniki, Poland, daughter of Aleksandra (Olga) Baldowska and Kazimierz Ga­brus. During WWII and the sub­sequent occupation of Poland, Lillian was sent to Germany where she worked in a forced la­bor camp. Upon liberation, she was placed in a displaced persons camp where she met her fu­ture husband, Ted.

Lillian and Ted wed in Paderborn, Germany, on Feb. 16, 1946. They immigrated to the United States in 1949, settling in Chicago, before a job change moved the couple to Iola.

He preceded her in death.

She is survived by her daughter Krystina Re­ese of Independence, Mo.; and her son, Wesley Orzechowski, of Iola.

A visitation for family and friends will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, in The Venue at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, Iola.

A Rosary will be recited at 10 a.m. Wednes­day, March 3, at St. John Catholic Church, Iola, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Highland Ceme­tery, Iola.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memo­rials may be made to ACARF (Allen County Ani­mal Rescue Facility) or a charity of your choice, in care of the funeral home.