Submitted by: Dan Rich

Rose Jean Berndt

April 5, 1915 - March 16, 1999

South Bend Tribune 3/18/1999

SOUTH BEND - Rose Jean Berndt, 83, of 530 W. Tanglewood Lane, passed away of natural causes at 5:40 a.m. on Tuesday, March 16, in Memorial Hospital. Rose was born on April 5, 1915, in South Bend, Ind., to the union of Theresa (Halasz) Lukacs and Janos Lukacs. She was preceded in death by her parents; and by her three sisters, Theresa Nagy, Mary Ann Hensley and Giselle Lukacs.

On Sept. 29, 1945, in South Bend, she married Raymond H. Berndt, Sr., who survives her. Also surviving to cherish her memory are her son, Raymond H. Berndt, Jr., and his wife, Maureen Muldoon of South Bend; her son, Charles J. Berndt and his wife Kate and daughter Hope, all of Indianapolis, Ind. Rose also leaves behind four nephews, Frank Nagy and David Nagy, both of South Bend, Jack Nagy of Granite Bay, Calif., and James Nagy of Indianapolis, Ind.; and two nieces, Norma Aulwurm of Bremen, Ind., and Barbara Daugherty of Redlands, Calif.

Rose graduated in 1933 from Central High School and worked as an inspector of aircraft engines for Studebaker during World War II. She also led union organizing efforts for the bindery workers at Studebaker, and later served as a secretary for Local 5 of the United Auto Workers (UAW). After her marriage, she divided her time between raising a family and supporting her husband in his work as regional director for Region 3 (Indiana and Kentucky) of the UAW. In 1961 Rose and her family relocated to Indianapolis, Ind. In 1972 she and her husband Ray retired to Mount Dora, Fla., where they lived for 26 years, returning to South Bend in August 1998. Rose's memory will be cherished by all who knew her. She will be remembered as a devoted wife, a loving and selfless mother, and as an aunt who gave of herself tirelessly and unstintingly in any way that she could. By her example, she has taught us a great deal about love and compassion.

The Zahoran Funeral Home, 1826 S. Kemble Avenue, South Bend, is handling the funeral arrangements. Friends and family may call at the funeral home from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday. Memorial services and a Rosary will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Our lady of Hungary Catholic Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday. Interment will take place in Highland Cemetery after the Mass.