Submitted by: Dan Rich

Elnor Marie Orzech

Sept. 19, 1911 - Nov. 17, 2002

South Bend Tribune 11/19/2002

Elnor Marie (Rist) Orzech, 91, of Bay Winds Drive, South Bend, Ind., passed away following an illness at 6:05 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, in Regency Place. Mrs. Orzech was born on Sept. 19, 1911, in Michigan City, Ind., to the late William M. and Mary C. (Wetzel) Rist.

She was married on Feb. 9, 1932, in Michigan City, to John A. Orzech, who died on April 16, 1994. They moved to South Bend in 1940 from Michigan City. Elnor worked as a clerk at Robertson's Department Store for many years in the hosiery and hand bags area, but her life was MOTHERING.

Her two daughters survive: Nanette J. "Nancy" Bothast, with whom she lived, and Mary F. Lash of Granger, Ind., a member of Little Flower Parish, along with a brother, William (Eleanor) Rist of Michigan City. Other survivors include seven grandchildren: Steven (Anyce) Bothast, Susan (Bill) Lee, both of South Bend, Cynthia (Bill) Werner of Pittsburgh, Pa., Tamara Lash of Pompton Plains, N.J., William (Rina) Lash of Monmouth Beach, N.J., Michael Lash of West Milford, N.J., and Ann Marie Lash of Granger. There are nine great-grandchildren: Jessica, John, Thomas, Dean, Lauren, Bill, Melissa, Alexandra and Heather.

The Rite of Christian Burial Mass will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in St. Pius X Catholic Church where there will be visitation one hour prior to the Mass. Visitation will also be today from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the McGann Funeral Home, University Area Chapel, 2313 E. Edison Road at Ironwood, where there will be a parish vigil service at 2 p.m. Burial will be at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger. Mrs. Orzech was a member of St. Pius X Parish after she moved in with her daughter Nancy. Before that she was a member of St. Anthony de Padua Parish where she was active in The Legion of Mary. Memorial donations may be made to either LOGAN Center, P.O. Box 1049, South Bend, IN 46624; or to Reins of Life, 55200 Quince Road, South Bend, IN 46619.