Karen Sue Janowiak

Karen Sue Janowiak, 63, of South Bend, IN, answered God’s call on Saturday, May 6, 2017.  She was born to the late Edwin Michael and Alice Esther (Chmielewski) Janowiak in South Bend, IN, and was a lifelong resident. 

Karen Sue worked for several years at Elkhart General Hospital as a polysomnographic technologist.  She also worked as a respiratory therapist and special education teacher.

She is survived by her four children, whom she had with Russell Kennedy:  Colleen (Tom) Kliza of Griffith, IN, Matthew (Natalie) Kennedy of Indianapolis, IN, Brian (Crystal) Kennedy of South Bend, IN, and Curtis (Lana) Kennedy of Hamlet, IN, three siblings: Lucette (Frank) Osborne of Demopolis, AL, Maryalice (Craig) Leber of Fort Washington, PA, and Michael Janowiak of South Bend, IN, as well as six granddaughters, one grandson, and several nieces and nephews.

Karen Sue was a graduate of the former LaSalle High School in South Bend, IN and Indiana University in Bloomington, IN, earning a degree in special education.  She enjoyed her experiences with the former television series “Beyond our Control” and enjoyed volunteering at the Morris Performing Arts Center and South Bend Civic Theater, attending arts and crafts shows, liturgical dancing for Little Flower Church (where she was a former parishioner), and ladies social events hosted by the Red Hat Society.  She was also a well-respected silk scarf artist whose work benefitted St. Margaret’s House of South Bend, IN.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 13th at 10:00am in the Chapel of St. Joseph Cemetery, 24980 IN-2 (off of Crumstown Hwy.) South Bend, IN  46619. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Margaret’s House, 117 N. Lafayette Blvd., South Bend, IN 46601. 

Kaniewski Funeral Home, South Bend, IN is handling arrangements.  To send online condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com.