Stella A DE BLAERE

27 OCT 1922 - 30 DEC 2017

• BIRTH: 27 OCT 1922, Mishawaka, St Joseph, Indiana
• DEATH: 30 DEC 2017, Mishawaka, St Joseph, Indiana

INDEX

[N18429] Stella A. (DeBlaere) Van Houtdreve
Oct. 27, 1922 - Dec. 30, 2017
MISHAWAKA, IN - Stella was born in Mishawaka, IN to the marriage of Leon and Alida (Van De Voorde) De Blaere in 1922. Leon and Alida, immigrated to the United States from Wingene, Belgium. She lived her entire life in Mishawaka, Indiana. Stella will be remembered for her bubbly personality and always cracking jokes about whatever came to mind. She was a friend to all and made a habit of talking to random people making them smile. Everyone she met became her friend. Stella was an active life member of St. Bavo's Catholic Church where she sung in the choir well into her 90's. She had a special devotion to The Blessed Virgin Mary, always active in the rosary circles and novenas. Stella also participated in the St. Bavo's Prayer Line, praying for others in need.Stella enjoyed activities at Battell Center in Mishawaka, where she was a member of their senior women's tap dancing and line dancing troupe. She graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1941. In October of 1943, Stella married the love of her life George D. Van Houtdreve, who grew up only ½ block away from her childhood home. During high school at the age of 16, she and four girlfriends created the Hoosierettes club. As they married, they also formed The Mr. & Mrs. Club and expanded to nine couples. These families enjoyed parties and picnics, trips to the lake, and Notre Dame football games. They truly were a unique group of friends. Stella was employed as a bookkeeper for several companies including Woolworth's Five and Dime, Cloud Brothers, and Brad's Pro Shop. She eventually retired from Will's Card and Party Shop. Preceding her in death were her parents, her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jeanne and Bob Hutchison, and by her husband George, after 69 years of marriage. Stella and George were blessed with three daughters, who survive, Karen Leliaert (Randy) of Osceola, IN, Nancy Barnett, of Osceola, IN, and Sally Kovacs (Terry) of Brownsburg, IN. She also has eleven grandchildren to cherish her memory, Matthew (Brittany) Leliaert, Elizabeth (Ben) Leliaert Chase, Curtis Barnett, Lindsay (Glendon) Barnett Zinser, Alyssa (Greg) Weatherholt, Scott Kindig (fiancé Ridley Griggs), Whitney (Brock) Coffey, Seth Kindig, Kim Kovacs, Stephen Kovacs, and Melissa Raymond. She is also survived by one niece, Peggy (Terry) Hutchison Powell. In addition, she was blessed with eleven great-grandchildren in whom she took tremendous delight and joy, Trace Leliaert, Cameron Mercado, Zoe Leliaert, Esther Chase, Addison Zinser, Brendan Zinser, Franklin Weatherholt, Nicholas Kindig, Grace Raymond, Abby Raymond and Emma Raymond. Stella will be truly missed. Her great love for her family and friends will always be remembered. Stella always said, “I couldn't have asked for a better life”. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Hahn's Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th St, Mishawaka, IN. Visitation will take place on Sunday, January 7, 2018 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 5:00 p.m.at Hahn Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial taking place at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 8, 2018, at St. Bavo's Catholic Church, Mishawaka, IN. Entombment will follow at Fairview Cemetery Mausoleum. Memorial contributions in Stella's name may be made to St. Bavo's Catholic Church, 511 W. 7th St., Mishawaka, IN 46544. To leave the family an online condolence, please visit www.hahnfuneralhomes.com. Published in South Bend Tribune on Jan. 4, 2018