Hilda (Cordts) Schwelnus

Hilda Cordts Schwelnus, age 89, of South Bend, IN, passed away on October 7, 2024.  She was born on May 6, 1935 in Brooklyn, NY to Herman and Ella Cordts, who had immigrated to New York from Germany as teenagers.  She married Herbert Schwelnus in 1952, and they remained happily married for 71+ years until Herb’s death in February 2024.

Hilda is survived by her children:  Eleanor Krueper, Linda Schwelnus, Chris (Karen) Schwelnus, and John (Teresa) Schwelnus; her Grandchildren:  Mathew (Cherese), Louis (Alice), and Elizabeth Krueper; and Adam (Carly) Schwelnus; and Great Grandchildren:  Brady, Elena and Samantha Krueper; Isaiah and Ian Needam; Louis, Leo and Ezrielle Krueper; and Zeke and Dax Schwelnus.  She was preceded in death by her infant grandson Brian Schwelnus.

Herb, Hilda and their young family moved from New York to Terre Haute, IN in 1956.  They moved to South Bend in 1968 and remained in South Bend, with brief moves to Corbin, KY and Cincinnati, until her passing.  

Hilda was employed by the Advertising Department of the South Bend Tribune for 16 years, where she made several lasting friendships. Always known as a good cook, Hilda liked preparing holiday meals for her family.  She also enjoyed coffee, the beach, bird watching, reading and needlecraft.  She relished her role as mother, proud grandmother (aka Granny Hilda) and great-grandmother.

Hilda was a lifelong Lutheran and a present member of Christ the King Lutheran Church.

The family would like to offer thanks and sincere appreciation to the nurses and staff at Healthwin, where both Hilda and Herb spent their last days, and also to the staff of Traditions Health who provided excellent hospice care.

Visitation will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday October 10, 2024 at the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend.

A private burial service will take place with immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in her memory be made to Lutheran World Relief (lwr.org/give) or a charitable organization of your choice.

To send online condolences, please visit http://www.kaniewski.com. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Hilda (Cordts) Schwelnus, please visit our floral store.