Frank Beidinger

Frank Beidinger, 84, of South Bend, Indiana, peacefully passed away at home surrounded by family on Wednesday, July 7, 2021. He was born on September 23, 1936 in Kroatisch Minihof, Austria, to the late Andreas and Anna (Vukovich) Beidinger. On June 19, 1965 in Holy Family Catholic Church, he married Frances Maria Veldman, who survives. Frank is also survived by four daughters, Heidi (Bruce) Beidinger-Burnett of Granger, Indiana, Michele (Scott) Irvin of Wilmette, Illinois, Denise (Kevin Evans) Beidinger of South Bend, Indiana and Kelly (Frank) Crowe of Indianapolis, Indiana; ten grandchildren, Sophia, Michael and Kate Burnett, Madeline and William Irvin, Sydney, Josh and Cole Evans, Zachary and Alex Crowe; one sister, Gisela Beidinger of Vienna, Austria; one brother, Johann (Gertrude) Beidinger of Vienna, Austria; and one sister-in-law, Margaret Beidinger. Frank was also preceded in death by one brother, Andrew Beidinger. 

As a young man, Frank immigrated from Austria to Canada with his brother, Andy, and his family. They would soon be drawn to South Bend where a small group of friends and family from Austria lived. It was in South Bend where he met Frances, his wife of 56 years. He began work in construction, but moved on to car sales at Bertle’s VW where he would work for 25 years. From there, he spent the remainder of his career at Campbell Ford, until he retired. With unquestionable love of family, Frank enjoyed family gatherings, traveling, playing “trocken”, gardening and birdwatching. Opa was a favorite babysitter and became a formidable board game opponent for his grandchildren.

Words cannot express our gratitude for the kind and compassionate care provided by the nurses and staff from both the VNA and The Center for Hospice. With their invaluable guidance, the family was able to care for Opa at home, surrounded by the gardens and the birds he loved so much.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Dr., South Bend, Indiana from 4:00 until 7:00 pm. A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, July 15, 2021 at 10:30 am in the funeral home. Visitation will take place from 9:30 am until 10:30 am prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Misericordia Heart of Mercy, 6300 N. Ridge Ave., Chicago, IL 60660 or the Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Pl., Mishawaka, IN 46545 in Frank’s honor. Online condolences may be left at www.kaniewski.com

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