Barbara J. Varga

Barbara Joan Varga
October 12, 1934-January 26, 2023

Special Note: The funeral service will be livestreamed at 1:00 pm via The Kaniewski Funeral Home Facebook Live page:

 https://www.facebook.com/KaniewskiFuneralHomeLiveStream/

Barbara Varga (Pletcher), 88, who resided in South Bend, IN, passed away surrounded by family on Thursday, January 26, 2023.

She was born on October 12, 1934 in South Bend to Arthur and Henrietta Pletcher. On June 19, 1954, she married the love of her life, “her man”, Emery Varga at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Emery Varga and her son, John Varga, along with her parents and siblings (Arthur, Chuck, Mary Ellen and Delores).

Barbara is survived by her 3 daughters – Vickie (Paul) Ransberger, Susan Pool & Sandy (Brian) Souza, 9 grandchildren – Jason (Alicia) Ransberger, Jennifer Ransberger, Katie (Jordon) Schell, Carolyn Pool, Anna Pool, Tyris Varga, Nichole Varga, Dylan Rybak & Alex Souza and 8 great-grandchildren — Braden, Hadley, Mia, Jameson, Arianna, Athena, AvaBelle & Gianna. 

Barbara started working right out of school in a small business and later became a dedicated homemaker for her children. Later in life, she enjoyed working at the airport giftshop and a greeting card shop in downtown South Bend before finding her favorite and last job at the North Dining Hall in Notre Dame University. She loved to tease the students for wearing pajamas to breakfast and delighted in quizzing the football players about why they pulled someone’s face mask and cost ND 15 yards.

Barbara’s favorite hobbies included painting and decorating ceramics, watching game shows & soap operas and playing with her grandchildren. She treated friends like family, hosting countless parties and even sharing vacations with them. She especially loved fishing and traveling with Emery, from coastal cruises and travels across the country, to annual family vacations in their favorite place – Bear Lake, MI. 

She was loved by both staff and residents at Morning View Assisted Living, where she could often be found playing bingo with friends or teaching the staff how to dance. She always brightened up the room with her trademark sayings, witty comebacks and affectionate hugs (or squeezes).

Barbara was the matriarch of the family – providing unwavering support, love and light.

A visitation for Barbara will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Dr. South Bend, IN from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Center for Hospice Care at 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545 or the Alzheimer’s Association P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC, 20090-6011. Online condolences may be left at www.kaniewski.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara J. Varga, please visit our floral store.