Barbara J. Fedder

Barbara Jean Fedder, 81, of Granger, Indiana passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 23, 2022, at Creekside Village in Mishawaka, Indiana.  Barbara was born on January 5, 1941 in Michigan City, Indiana to the late Richard J. and Bernice T. (nee Tanber) Hathoot and was a 1959 graduate of Michigan City Elston.  It was during one her father’s regular poker games, in late 1960, that she was introduced to the love of her life and on May 26, 1962 she married Kenneth P. Fedder, who survives.  Barbara is also survived by her daughter, Catherine M. Fedder of Mishawaka, Indiana; four sons, Mark T. (Ann Marie) Fedder of Osceola, Indiana, Richard E. (Nancy) Fedder of Granger, Indiana, John M. (Jaime) Fedder of Edwardsburg, Michigan and Shaun P. (Natalie) Fedder of Lake Wawasee, Indiana; twelve grandchildren, Sarah (Kyle) Scheffel, Brooke Fedder, Katie (Dominic) Spigolon, Nicklus and Lane Fedder, Madelynn and Sadie Fedder,  Danny Yates, Michael (Tiffany) Yates, Rachel (Eric) Uitdenhowen, Cody (Logan) Kankel and Shelby (Brian) Kankel; two great-grandchildren, Lillian Yates and Holly Uitdenhowen; an Irish Twin sister and best friend, Sandra (Raymond) Feldmeier of Michigan City, Indiana and numerous cousins stretching across the United States and beyond.  A visitation will be held on Friday, January 28, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, Indiana where a rosary will be prayed at 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at St. Anthony de Padua Church – 2310 E. Jefferson Boulevard, South Bend, Indiana, where a visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. 

Barbara deeply loved her family and spent endless hours driving her children to hockey, football, soccer, golf, karate, choir and various school functions while maintaining an active social calendar with her husband.  She volunteered as a Den Mother, Girl Scout Leader, was past president of the Alter Rosary Society and was a long-time member of the P.T.A.  Barbara served on the Board of Directors for the Montessori Academy, led numerous campaigns for their Development Fund and was instrumental in the early foundation and expansion of the Montessori Edison Lakes campus.  Continuing her passion for helping children, Barbara was a member of the Christ Child Society and gave graciously of her time and experience as she helped raise funds and awareness.

Barbara was an accomplished artist and took great pleasure in painting portraits and custom greeting cards.  She was a member of the Watercolor & Pastel Society, Michiana Calligraphy Guild and had a unique talent of being able to freely write cursive messages that could only be read in the reflection of a mirror.

Barbara had many passions outside her family.  She loved playing golf and competing annually in the City Metro tournament, taking home the top spot in her flight on occasion.  She was also a very skilled card player and especially loved duplicate bridge.  She was a former Vice President and Board Member of the South Bend Bridge Club and amassed over 660 Masterpoints earning her the rank of Regional Master.  Perhaps none was more important than her cooking and baking.  It was not uncommon for Barbara to begin holiday cooking days in advance and family can remember more than one occasion where she was cooking when they went to bed and still cooking when everyone awoke.  Barbara passed her appreciation for food to her family and friends, many of whom received a copy of her cookbook “The Aromas of Lebanon – Recipes From My Mom’s Kitchen”.

Barbara was immensely proud of her family and leaves behind nothing but beautiful memories.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to The Christ Child Society – 2366 Miracle Lane, Mishawaka, Indiana.  To send online condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com.

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