Mrs. Irene Baczkiewicz, 79, of LaPorte, died at 8:43 p.m. on Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at Fountainview Terrace Nursing Home, LaPorte.
She was born Aug. 6, 1930, in Chicago to Theophil “Ted” and Veronica (Dressler) Ziarnek. Irene lived most of her life in LaPorte.
Irene worked in the mortgage banking industry for a number of years, ultimately retiring from New Buffalo Savings Bank. She was also self-employed as an executive senior research associate in the field of child development and human relations. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and a demonstrator with Stampin’ Up. Irene enjoyed scrapbooking and making beautiful handmade rubber-stamped cards. She especially loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, who were her entertainment committee. Irene was a kind, generous, and beautiful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister and friend. She will be missed by all who knew her.
On April 28, 1956, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in LaPorte, Irene married Casimir John Baczkiewicz Sr., who survives in LaPorte. They recently celebrated 53 years of marriage.
Those also left to cherish her memory are four daughters, Cynthia (Jeffrey) Apple of LaPorte, Judith (James) Kmiec of LaPorte, Susan (William) Kunisch of Prescott Valley, AZ, and Trish Macalka of LaPorte; one son, Casimir Baczkiewicz Jr. of LaPorte; five grandchildren: Jeremiah (Rebekah) Dye of Danville, IL, Rebecca, Rachel and Danielle Kmiec of LaPorte, and Madison Kunisch of Prescott, AZ; four great-grandchildren, Eden, Zoe, Ezra and Ana Dye of Danville, IL; three sisters, Marie (Chester) Mazur and Maxine (Thomas) Avery, both of LaPorte, and Bernadette (Michael) Sanders of Middletown, OH; and many nephews and nieces.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents and three sisters, Mildred Ziarnek, Eleanor (William) Minich and Christine (Lyn) Todd.
A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 9, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, LaPorte, with Rev. David Kime officiating. Visitation will be at Essling Funeral Home, LaPorte, on Monday, March 8, from 4 to 8 p.m. and on Tuesday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. A prayer service will be held Monday at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Pine Lake Cemetery, LaPorte, following the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Godparent Program at St. Joseph Catholic School, 109 C St., LaPorte, IN 46350.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.esslingfuneralhome.com.
