Zita BREHLICK

2 JUN 1918 - 17 JAN 2021

• BIRTH: 2 JUN 1918, South Bend, IN
• DEATH: 17 JAN 2021, Mishawaka, St Joseph, IN

• MARRIAGE: 23 APR 1938, St Joseph County, Indiana

1.  Marcel Mark D RYDZINSKI
2.  Christine RYDZINSKI

INDEX

[N523] Zita Rydzinski
June 2, 1918 - Jan. 17, 2021

MISHAWAKA, IN - Zita Joan Rydzinski of Mishawaka went to be with her Lord January 21, 2021. Even though she was over 100 years old, she maintained her home on Day Road by herself. She was able to remain there, watering the birds and feeding the wildlife, until she left for her new adventure in Heaven. Zita was born in South Bend, Indiana to the late Steven and Francis (Vargo) Brehlik. Her husband of 62 years, Marcel V. Rydzinski died in 2001. Her sister, Elsie Megyese, also preceded in her in death. She is survived by a daughter, Christine (Rydzinski) Hollister of Osceola and a son, Rev. Marcel Rydzinski of Mishawaka. Other survivors include five grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and many friends. Zita retired from the Indiana State Employment service, where she worked for 21 years as an employment interviewer and then a department supervisor. For many years, she taught calligraphy at Battell Center in Mishawaka. She also served the Lord by joining her husband in Gospel Chalk Art Ministry as a ventriloquist, presenting programs at many churches and special Christian gatherings in the area. Her life was centered on loving and serving Jesus and her family. She will be missed. She was a member of Grace Chapel in Crumstown, IN. Due to covid restrictions, there will be no celebration of her life at this time. Elkhart Cremation Services is entrusted with her arrangements. Published in South Bend Tribune on Jan. 21, 2021

====================

100'th Birthday

Zita Rydzinski is named after the Zita, the last empress of Austria. That’s a good, regal way to start life. and it has been a long life. Zita, a resident of Osceola, turned 100 on June 2. Her daughter, Chris Hollister, said she has led a remarkable life. “She has always been a super woman. If I needed a costume, she sewed it. She taught classes at Battell Center on calligraphy. She learned ventriloquism. She paints. She worked her way up to be a supervisor at the Indiana state employment services. She is writing a book on learning the piano. She hasn’t had a boring life. She is an amazing chick.” Zita said the piano book would be finished sooner if she had a better computer and rinter.

Zita Brehlik grew up in South Bend in the Hungarian neighborhood near Indiana Avenue and Arnold Street. The family moved briefly to Texas to work in the cotton fields during the Depression. She graduated from high school in Texas and moved north. She met her husband, Marcel, at a carnival near the old German Club in South Bend. “We saw each other through the crowd and he walked me home,” Zita said. They married in 1938. He died in 2001. Zita said there was always music in the house and a piano. Chris performs oldies with a group called Remember When. They perform in senior centers and nursing homes. “Mom comes along whenever she can. She is our biggest fan.” Her son, Mark, started a band when he was in eighth grade and never stopped performing. Today, in addition to music, he is the minister at Grace Chapel in Crumstown. Zita said her faith and music have been her strength. She and Marcel had a chalk and ventriloquism ministry for years. Marcel drew Bible scenes and she had a puppet. Together they shared their faith. In addition to faith and music for a long life, Zita said to stay out of the sun and keep busy. “Don’t take vitamins. I don’t think they do anything.”

• • •