Steve Spretnjak

On December 16, 2020, at Dujarie House in Holy Cross Village, Steve A. Spretnjak left this world to rejoin the love of his life - Helen Jean Sieron - in the place for you, promised by our Lord. Steve and Helen met in kindergarten, were married in 1952, and raised five children: Gail (Joseph) Hickner, Stephen, Gwen, Gregory (Mary), and Michael Spretnjak; along with four grandchildren: Paul Hickner, and Mark, William, and Elizabeth Spretnjak all survive Steve.

Steve's parents, Gabriella and Steve; his sisters, Pauline (Elmer) Druga, Marge and Sylvia Spretnjak; and his nephew, David Druga all preceded Steve in death. Nephew Paul Druga, who happily kept close to his “Unc,” also survives Steve, along with many cousins and their families in Chicago, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia. Members of Helen's, Joe's and Mary's families, as well as countless friends and caregivers are saddened by Steve's passing.

During this past month, Steve and his family have been especially grateful to all those throughout the world who provided healing, strength, comfort and peace by offering prayers for Steve, his family, and his caregivers. The family also extends their prayers to all those afflicted by COVID and its effects and their caregivers.

Steve served in the Army before earning a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois. During his 40-year career at Excel Industries in Elkhart, IN, Steve received patents for his innovative designs of pivoting vent windows and sliding glass panels for automobiles and recreational vehicles.

Both Steve and his wife Helen were devout Catholics and firm believers in the Five Pillars of Education (mind, heart, zeal, family and hope) as well as the concept that “education through the arts”, no matter your chosen field, engenders the insight and creativity that makes education meaningful in the real world. Having prayed to Our Lady of the Lake for the guidance of their children, it was one of their greatest joys, to see all five children graduate from St. Mary's or Notre Dame.

Steve and Helen supported Catholic education and the arts, especially at the University of Notre Dame. They were among the original members of the Snite Museum of Art at ND and their story was recently published by the museum at https://sniteartmuseum.nd.edu/.../the-spretnjak-family/

Steve went out of his way to attend daily Mass, and to deliver Holy Communion to homebound and hospitalized Catholics. At St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Steve sang in the Schola Cantorum and the Choir, and was an active member of the Solitaires singles club. Steve was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and enlisted help from family and friends to organize the annual Children's Christmas Party and Father/Son Golf Tournament. Steve always enjoyed the Friday Fish Fries with family and friends.

Steve also volunteered with the Boy Scouts and the Jaycees to help young people develop life skills and business knowledge.

Golf was Steve's personal passion. Steve was proud to have earned 50-year membership status at the Elcona Country Club and he loved it when family joined him at the club for sports, relaxation and entertainment.

Visitation with a praying of the Rosary will be held at Kaniewski Funeral Home on Monday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with Rosary at 6:00 p.m. Visitation and Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Church in South Bend on Tuesday, December 22, 2020. Visitation at 12:00 p.m. and Mass at 1:00 p.m. followed by a burial ceremony at Cedar Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: The Snite Museum of Art, Notre Dame, IN; the international missions of The Brothers of the Holy Cross, Notre Dame, IN; or the scholarship fund of The St. Jude Council, 1043 Knights of Columbus, Elkhart, IN.