Helen Mary (Frick) Ivancsics

Helen Mary Ivancsics, age 96 of South Bend, passed away on October 31, 2022, at Memorial Hospital. She was born June 25, 1926, in Mishawaka, Indiana, the only child of the late George and Olga (Wagner) Frick.

Helen excelled at academics and graduated at the top of her 8th grade class at St. Joseph School in Mishawaka. With a scholarship to the all-girls St. Joseph Academy in South Bend, Helen earned Salutatorian honors for the graduating class of 1944. A close-knit group, they gathered for their 50th reunion in 1994 and continued to stay in touch for years later. Helen was one of the last surviving class members. After high school, Helen continued her education at the South Bend College of Commerce. After graduating in Secretarial Studies, she began working for the Schindler-Richard Insurance Agency.

Helen took dance lessons at the Marie Buczkowski School of Dance in South Bend where she met Julius Ivancsics who had recently returned home from serving his country in WWII. They fell in love and were married at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mishawaka, on August 28, 1948. They celebrated 39 years of marriage before Julius, who retired as a photographer from the South Bend Tribune, passed away in 1987.

With the birth of her first child in 1953, Helen left the business world to dedicate her life to raising a family. Helen loved to read non-fiction books and enjoyed studying history and politics. She was a lifelong fan of the Chicago White Sox and was thrilled when they won the World Series in 2005. Grandson Michael shares her love of baseball and made daily deliveries of box scores to his Grandma. Helen spent many happy hours babysitting her four wonderful grandchildren, being an active part of their lives and watching them grow into young adults.

She is survived by her children Thomas Ivancsics and his wife Tina Dombrowski of St. Paul, Minnesota, Mary Beth Ivancsics of Mishawaka, Robert Ivancsics of South Bend, and Michael and his wife Mary (Walsh) Ivancsics of South Bend. Surviving as well are her grandchildren Michael, Maria, Johnny, and Stephen Ivancsics. She was preceded in death by her daughter Susan Ivancsics in February of 2022. She loved her children and grandchildren dearly and will be remembered for her wisdom, sharp mind, and strong Catholic faith.

Helen was a member of Little Flower Catholic Church in South Bend for over 60 years. In the past few years due to mobility issues, she reconnected with St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mishawaka, watching Masses on-line. With her funeral Mass, Helen will have received all her Blessed Sacraments at St. Joe.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 pm Monday, November 7, 2022, at Goethals and Wells Funeral Home in Mishawaka with a Rosary to begin at 6:30 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00am Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mishawaka with interment to follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola.

In her memory, donations may be given online to the St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, South Dakota at http://stjo.org , St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mishawaka, or the Disabled American Veterans.

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