Submitted by: Dan Rich

South Bend Tribune 7/4/2004

Vera J. Laskowski

Dec. 24, 1918 -- July 1, 2004

Vera J. Laskowski, 85, of Berkley Circle, Mishawaka, Ind., passed away in her home at 9:55 p.m. on Thursday, July 1.

Vera was born on Dec. 24, 1918, in South Bend, Ind., as the daughter of the late Clarence and Grace (Probst) Goheen.

On May 27, 1939, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, South Bend, as the former Vera Goheen, she married Thaddeus Laskowski, who preceded her in death on Feb. 1, 1983.

Vera is survived by two daughters, Joanne Parker of Birmingham, Ala., and Jeanne (Michael) Kovatch of New Albany, Ind.; one son, James (Kathy) Laskowski of Acworth, Ga.; nine grandchildren, Robert Kovatch of Pittsburgh, Pa., Angela Kessler of Somerville, Mass., Mary Spiller of Henderson, Nev., Laura Kovatch of Panama City, Fla., Rebecca Kovatch and Emily Kovatch, both of New Albany, Ind., Julie Miller of Denver, Colo., Kelley Edwards of Cartersville, Ga., and Katie Laskowski of Kennesaw, Ga.; two great-grandchildren, Ryan Kovatch of Pittsburgh and Madeline Edwards of Cartersville; one brother, Edmund Goheen of Coca, Fla.; and by three sisters, Ila Badtke of Appleton, Wis., Theresa (Nick) Mester of South Bend and Anita Greenwood of South Bend.

Vera was a lifelong area resident, and was employed by South Bend Toy as a sewing machine operator. She was a member of St. Bavo Catholic Church, and was a Saint Joseph Hospital volunteer in pastoral care. She loved her rose gardens and she loved bowling.

Family and friends may visit from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., where a Rosary will be recited at 5:30 p.m. today, July 4th, in the Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th St., Mishawaka. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, July 5, in St. Bavo's Catholic Church, Mishawaka, with Rev. Barry England officiating. Entombment will take place Tuesday at Riverview Cemetery, South Bend.

Contributions in memory of Vera made be made to Hospice of St. Joseph County, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.