May 16, 1920 -- Feb. 8, 2005

Rose A. Kalka, 84, formerly of South Brookfield Street, South Bend, passed away at 10:15 p.m. on Tuesday, February 8, 2005, in Ironwood Health & Rehabilitation Center.

She was born on May 16, 1920, in South Bend, to Casimir and Mary (Lewandowski) Bentkowski, who preceded her in death. Rose married Erwin S. Kalka on April 26, 1945, in a military service at St. Mary National Catholic Church in South Bend. He preceded her in death on May 9, 1997.

Surviving Rose are four sisters, Josephine (Raymond) Dembinski, Lorraine (Theodore) Piechocki, Evelyn (Leo) Lyczynski and Patricia (Harry) Skierkowski; and a brother, Chester (Irene) Bentkowski; 16 nieces and nephews, 27 great-nieces and nephews, and numerous great-great-nieces and nephews.

Rose has previously worked at Kuberski Dry Good Store, the Frances Shop, Little Folks Shop and the Hammes Bookstore at Notre Dame from which she retired in 1985 after 18 years. She was a member of St. Mary National Catholic Church and was an active member of the Frederick Chopin Choir. She was in one of the first graduating classes at Washington High School.

Visitation will be today, February 10, 2005, from 2 to 8 p.m. in the ST JOSEPH FUNERAL HOME, 824 S. Mayflower Road, where a prayer service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Funeral services will be on Friday, February 11, 2005, at 1 p.m. in St. Mary National Catholic Church. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, South Bend.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the "Clergy Pension Fund," c/o St. Mary National Church, 159 N. Summit Drive, South Bend, IN 46619.