Carolyn F. (Strable) Pietchak

Carolyn F. Pietchak, age 81, of Prudenville, unexpectedly passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025, at Crawford Continuing Care Center in Grayling.

Carolyn was born on July 28, 1943, in St. Clair, Michigan to John and Helen (Rockwood) Strable. She married Wendell J. Pietchak on December 28, 1963, in Manistique, Michigan. The couple moved to Prudenville shortly after. Carolyn happily spent her life devoted to her family and her community. After being a full-time homemaker, she started working for Denton Township in 1983 as a secretary. In 1986, she was appointed as the Deputy Treasurer for the Township. She served in that role until she was appointed the Treasurer in 1999. She was elected to serve in this position from 2000 until her retirement in 2012. She was again appointed to serve as Treasurer for a short period of time until her final retirement in 2022.

In addition to her career, Carolyn joyfully volunteered in many capacities within her community. She was a member of the Roscommon County Genealogical Society and served as the Secretary for many years. She was a member and former Director of the Houghton Lake Area Historical Society and especially enjoyed volunteering at Village Days. Carolyn served on the Roscommon County Republican Committee for over 25 years, was a former Vice Chair and also served as a precinct delegate representing Denton Township. Carolyn proudly served on the Board of Review for Denton Township, Roscommon County Board of Canvassers and the Roscommon County Jury Board. She was a member of the Marine Corps League Auxiliary and helped her husband Wendell, and the Ed Mooney family, to start the Toys for Tots program in their community. Carolyn also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity.

Outside of her volunteer work, Carolyn was a member of the Great Lakes Sled Dog Association where she spent her nights and weekends training and racing sled dogs with her husband, Wendell, and their girls. She was a former judge for the Tip-Up-Town Queens competition and a longtime volunteer and committee member for the Miss Houghton Lake and Junior Miss programs. She was one of the original 13 members of the Annual Cookie Exchange which just celebrated 50 years by hosting a reunion of former participants and their daughters. Carolyn always looked forward to spending time with her friends, the Scrapbook Junkies, who would often meet at Denton Township Hall for crafting and fellowship. Lastly, she was a devoted member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church serving in many different capacities over the years. Her Catholic faith was the center of her life.

Carolyn is survived by her daughters Melissa Kinney, Amanda Pietchak and Melanie (Jeff) Domrase; her grandchildren Nicole (Whitney) Pruitt, Derek (Kelsey) Kinney, Jeff (Emily) Kinney, Josh Kinney, Cameron Houston, Rayna Doxie, Nolan Domrase and Anderson Domrase; great-grandchildren Stella and Luke Kinney, Alijana Houston and Sophia Kinney; her sisters Mary Lou (Mario) Arrendondo and Georgia Strable; her cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents John and Helen Strable, sister Connie Deloria, husband Wendell Pietchak, daughter Cynthia Pietchak and brother John Strable.

Carolyn will be remembered for her giving heart, kind spirit and warm smile. Her ultimate joy was being married to Wendell and raising her girls. She was a fun, caring and loyal friend to all and will be dearly missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025, at Our Lady of the Lake in Prudenville at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior. Father Peter Eke will officiate. Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, February 20, 2025, from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Christler Funeral Home-Prudenville Chapel. Interment will be at Denton Township Cemetery on Thursday May 1, 2025 at 11 am. Memorials may be made in Carolyn’s honor to Roscommon County Genealogical Society or to Houghton Lake Area Historical Society. You may express your condolences to the family at www.christler-holdship.com. Christler Funeral Home-Prudenville Chapel is handling the arrangements.

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