Stanislawa Stella BUDNIK

19 FEB 1916 - 26 MAY 2013

• BIRTH: 19 FEB 1916, Mieleszyn, PL
• BURIAL: St Joseph Cemetery, South Bend, In
• DEATH: 26 MAY 2013, South Bend, IN

• MARRIAGE: 15 JUN 1941, Mieleszyn, PL

1.  Larry Bernard WISNIEWSKI
2. +Bonita Bonnie WISNIEWSKI

INDEX

[N5986] Stella Wisniewski nee Budnik
02/19/1916 - 05/26/2013

SOUTH BEND - On May 26, 2013, Stella Wisniewski, 97, who was loved by her entire family, was called home to be with her Savior and reunited with her beloved Bernard after a brief illness. Her family will miss her dearly, but they know that the essence of Stella’s love and the spirit of her heart will always remain. Born to the union of Stanislawa (Nowak) and Antoni Budnik, Stella entered this world on February 19, 1916 in the Polish village of Mieleszyn. Siblings include sisters Anna Sanger, Helena Musial, Marianna Prominski, and a brother, Frances Budnik, all deceased. On June 15, 1941 and under German occupation, Stella married Bernard Wisniewski, who preceded her in death in 2010. To this blessed union were born two children, their daughter Bonnie Ujdak (Gerald) of Mishawaka, Indiana and their son, Larry Wisniewski, who also preceded her in death. Always a woman of great faith, strength and conviction, Stella displayed immense fortitude when during the Second World War she was forced to endure separation from Bernard as he was pressed into forced labor under German occupation and courageously hid her sister Marianna in an attic wardrobe, shielding her from arrest and seizure by German authorities who were taking young women for work in various wartime industries. Eventually losing their farm to foreign invaders, Stella and Bernard relocated to the town of Gniezno where Bernard spent the remainder of his time in forced labor and later working as a master butcher. After regaining their farm upon the conclusion of the war, Stella and her family were then forced to host Russian military officers under Soviet occupation. Seeing what was to come under Communist rule, Stella and Bernard began making arrangements after their farm was seized under the Communist government farm collectivization program to immigrate to the United States, where Bernard was born. Days prior to the family’s scheduled departure, Communist authorities detained Bernard and barred him from leaving the country. Possessing no knowledge of English and the uncertainty of Bernard’s hoped for-release weighing heavily, Stella led her two young children via train and ocean liner to America across Europe and the Atlantic Ocean, arriving in New York City in June, 1949. They first journeyed to Niles, MI and settled with relatives. Bernard eventually was allowed to depart Poland and joined them days before Christmas of that same year. In 1950, the family relocated to South Bend, where Stella had already begun employment with the H.D. Lee Company and affiliated themselves with St. Casimir’s Parish, eventually saving enough money to purchase the only home they owned in America near St. Adalbert’s in 1952. Stella later retired from 1st Source Bank in 1979. Stella belonged to St. Adalbert’s Parish for over 60 years where she was a member with Bernard and belonged to The Rosary Sodality, Sister Auxiliary, and Senior Citizens of St. Adalbert. Together they celebrated daily their union of 69 years. Their life together was a testament to their deep faith in Jesus and the Blessed Mother. Through wartime, passage to a new country, and times of trial and joy throughout their life, it was their deep and abiding faith that sustained their journey together and allowed so many to be showered with the gifts of their beautiful and Christ-like love. No one derived more joy from giving of herself to others than Stella. A remarkable woman who wanted and needed little, she gifted treasure of unconditional love to all who crossed her path. Whether friend, neighbor, or family, her deep desire and willingness to help others selflessly never waned and remains an inspiration for us all. Stella loved cooking and baking. Her apple slices, paczki, cherry coffee cakes, cheesecakes, and homemade chicken noodle and tomato soups were the “stuff” of family culinary legend. Stella possessed a heart much larger than her small frame and late into life could be found helping with cleaning, laundry, babysitting, and enjoying the company of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the many adopted pets she cared for. She enjoyed life through love like no other and derived joy through the gifts of her hands and heart. Remaining to cherish her beloved memory are also her grandchildren, Andrew Ujdak of South Bend, Indiana, Jennifer Lillis (Edward) of Cary, North Carolina, Joanne Berry (Ronnie) of Delaware, Ohio, Karen Wisniewski of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Mary Ann Serrahn (Sean) of Chicago, Illinois. Surviving great-grandchildren are Samuel Ujdak, Maxwell Ujdak, Anna Ujdak, Bernard (Ben) Ujdak, Luke Lillis, Alexandra Lillis, Quinn Berry and Stella Kate Berry. Also surviving are a special daughter-in-law, Pat Bezi and her husband Frank of Osceola, Indiana. We have been forever blessed by Stella’s loving heart and each of us has been gifted a piece of her beautiful spirit. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 30, 2013, in St. Joseph Funeral Home located at 824 S. Mayflower Road, South Bend where a Rosary will be prayed at 4 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 31, 2013, in St. Adalbert Catholic Church, located on South Olive Street, South Bend. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, Indiana 46637 or St. Adalbert’s Parish, 2505 West Grace Street, South Bend, Indiana 46619. The family wishes to thank all who helped keep Stella comfortable and care for her during her illness especially Hospice Nurses Julie and Debbie, Hospice Aide Michelle, and Hospice Volunteers Larry and Carol. A very special thank you is extended to Mary Chris and George Adams for their kind and angelic support to Stella and her family. Condolences for the family may be made at www.sjfh.net.

Date: 05/31/2013
Location: Burial St. Joseph Cemetery