Stefan Steve SZAUER

26 DEC 1932 - 22 JUL 2014

• BIRTH: 26 DEC 1932, Nikitsch, Austria
• EMIGRATION: 1959, Austria to Toronto, Canada
• DEATH: 22 JUL 2014, South Bend, IN

• MARRIAGE: 21 MAY 1955, Our Lady of Hungary Catholic Church, St Joseph County, IN

INDEX

[N11456] Stefan Szauer
Dec. 26, 1932 - July 22, 2014

SOUTH BEND - Stefan "Steve" Szauer, age 81, of South Bend, died unexpectedly Tuesday, July 22, 2014, in his home. He was born December 26, 1932, to Peter and Francesca (Derdak) Szauer in Nikitsch, Austria. Steve immigrated to Toronto, Canada, when he was 18 years old and in 1955 moved to South Bend, IN, where he met the love of his life, Rose Buczolich. They were married on May 21, 1955, in Our Lady of Hungary Catholic Church. Steve began his working career in the USA as a butcher on a farm and then worked for several years at A&P, also as a butcher. During this time, he became interested in computers and attended school in Chicago to learn data processing. When Steve finished school, he was hired by Uniroyal where he worked in data processing for 38 years until his retirement and Uniroyal closed its doors for good. He then worked for several years at Memorial Hospital. He proudly served his adopted country in the U.S. Army Reserves. Steve continued to "work" after his retirement at city/county elections for many years. Steve spoke four languages; Croatian, German, Hungarian and English. He was a voracious reader and was especially interested in everything written about WW II as his father was killed during that war when Steve was a child, leaving his mother to raise four children on her own. He read any newspaper he could get his hands on, especially the Chicago Tribune. He was well-versed in current events and what was happening around the world. He was an avid soccer fan enjoying World Cup Soccer games with his son Steve and in his younger days played in a soccer league in South Bend with Hungarian immigrants. Steve was proud to pass his soccer skills on to his grandchildren, Stephanie and Bjorn, who played for St. Jude and Riley High School in South Bend. Steve took pride in his yard and garden, always "puttering" around amongst the plants and lawn. He was an accomplished cook and baker. His specialty was Weiner Schnitzel and his apricot squares were the best! Steve was always helping someone, whether it was a Hungarian immigrant looking for a job or needing to get a driver's license, a friend who needed help with landscaping, and especially taking care of his family. Steve would take charge and get the job done. Steve was very proud of his children, Steve Jr. and Sue Forsberg, his grandchildren, Stephanie Iacobucci and Bjorn Forsberg, and he adored his great- grandson, Maximus "Max" Iacobucci, who thought "Pepa" was the best playmate ever! Steve was also proud of his son-in-law, Brian Forsberg, and his grandson-in-law, Matthew Iacobucci, whom he loved as his own. Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Peter & Francesca Szauer, brother, Peter Szauer, and sister, Maria Pinterich, all of Austria. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Rose, his son, Steve, Jr., and daughter, Sue (Brian) Forsberg of South Bend. He is also survived by his granddaughter, Stephanie (Matthew) Iacobucci of Camby, IN, grandson, Bjorn of South Bend, and great-grandson, Maximus "Max" Iacobucci of Camby, IN. He is survived by his brother, Mathias (Evelyn) Szauer of Eisenstaedt, Austria. Steve leaves behind several nieces and nephews in Austria along with many friends in South Bend, Chicago, Toronto and Austria. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 28, 2014, at Our Lady of Hungary Catholic Church, 829 West Calvert, South Bend, IN. Burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 2:00 6:00 p.m. Sunday, July 27, 2014, in the Zahoran Funeral Home, 1826 S. Kemble Ave., where a Rosary will be recited at 4:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Hungary Church. 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 on July 24, 2014