Gizella LACKNER

6 MAY 1926 - 16 MAR 2016

• BIRTH: 6 MAY 1926, Nikitch, Austria
• DEATH: 16 MAR 2016, South Bend, IN

• MARRIAGE: 26 NOV 1949, St Joseph County, Indiana

1.  Rose Ann CHMIEL
2.  Julie Ann CHMIEL
3.  Andrew Leo CHMIEL
4.  Stephen Mark CHMIEL

INDEX

[N2722] Gizella Chmiel
May 6, 1926 - Mar. 16, 2016
SOUTH BEND - Gizella Chmiel, beloved mother, grandmother and friend, passed away on March 16, 2016. She was born on May 6, 1926, in Nikitch, Austria, to Stephen and Juliana Lackner. Her family immigrated to the United States in 1927 and settled in South Bend, Indiana. In 1949, she married Leo Chmiel. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary before his death on June 21, 2010. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Steve, and her youngest daughter, Juli Ann. She is survived by her three children: Andrew (Lucia), Steve (Cindy), and Rose (Ed Hardcastle); four grandchildren: Israel, Laura, Paula, and Amy; and one great-grandchild, Ava. As a young adult, Gizella worked in a pattern and sewing factory distributing patterns, matching cloth and sewing rapidly to keep up with production. At home, she sewed clothes for her children and crocheted beautiful doilies. As a mother of four, she was often found doing the laundry and driving kids around, and, together with her parents and husband, preparing and canning vegetables from the large family “farm.” They spent a lot of time together cooking traditional family meals such as pigs-in-a-blanket and pumpkin kolaches and, of course, soup with hand-cut noodles or dumplings. TV dinners were unheard of in her family. Gizella loved all her children and grandchildren very much and unconditionally. She had deep empathy for any person anywhere who was suffering or in need, praying for them, going out of her way to help, even with a sandwich. She dedicated a large part of her life to taking care of her youngest daughter, Juli, who had many health problems. Her long-suffering dedication and self-sacrifice was evident as she worked tirelessly, interceding and enduring many difficult moments until Juli's death in 2012. Gizella was also dedicated to her beloved parents, who lived just down the street from her home, caring for her father in his old age both in his home and hers until his passing. She was genuinely friendly towards people and never met anyone she did not like, for she always saw their best qualities and tended with great delicacy to minimize the rest. Gizella attended church at Our Lady of Hungary, Calvary Temple, and later at Christian Center. It was at church that she met close, lifelong friends. She really enjoyed spending her time socializing with family and friends, remembering them regularly with greeting cards or giving them a call. She preferred to be in the company of others and never seemed to need any time alone. In her later years she found pleasure in simple activities, such as watching the birds in her yard or receiving a card, phone call, or visit from a friend, especially after her eyes failed. Gizella's family is grateful to the many caretakers and nurses from Memorial Home Health Care, Comfort Keepers, and other friends and extended family who came to her home to visit and care for her. A special thank you to Diane Verstraete and Barbara Treadwell for making her last years as enjoyable as possible. Visitation on Monday 3-7 pm and Funeral Service Tuesday, 11 am, with Rev. Ani Ikene officiating, will be hosted by Zahoran Funeral Home at 1826 S. Kemble Ave., South Bend, IN. Parking is available in the lot across the street. Burial will take place following the funeral at the Sacred Heart Cemetery. To leave an online condolence, please visit our website at www.zahoran.com, or our facebook page, Zahoran Funeral Home. Published in South Bend Tribune from Mar. 20 to Mar. 21, 2016