Norma Jean (Schafer) Krentz

Mass of Christian Burial Livestream Link: https://basilica.nd.edu/sacraments/funerals/funerals-livestream/

Norma Jean (Schafer) Krentz, 88, of South Bend, IN passed away at 9:45 p.m. Sunday, August 11, 2024 in her home, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on February 29, 1936 to the late Charles Sr. and Flora (Renn) Schafer in Jeffersonville, IN, and has lived in South Bend since 2021.  Prior to that, she was a long-time resident of Michigan City, IN.  Along with her parents; Norma was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey W. Krentz; two sisters, Mary Anderson, and Flora Wessel; one brother, James Schafer; and a step daughter, Sally Finck.

Norma graduated in 1954 from Presentation Academy in Louisville, KY.  She was retired from Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), where she worked as a Statistical Engineer for 11 years.  Before that she was a Legal Secretary for Kenefick, Brennan & Gilmore Law Office in Michigan City, IN.

On January 2, 1982, as Norma Jean (Schafer) Dowd, she married Harvey W. Krentz in Michigan City, IN.  Harvey passed away on January 7, 2017.

Norma is survived by her daughter, Mary (Jim) Wiegand of South Bend, IN; her son, Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C. of Notre Dame, IN; 13 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; one brother, Charles Schafer Jr. of Clarksville, IN; one step daughter, Lynn (Sanjiv) Mittal of Fremont, CA; two step sons, Tim (Michele) Krentz of Krum, TX ; Richard (Denise) Krentz of LaPorte, IN; and many loving nieces & nephews.

Norma was a member of Sacred Heart Parish, Notre Dame, IN and VFW Post 2536 Ladies Auxiliary, Michigan City, IN.   She enjoyed reading and puzzling, but most of all spending time with her family and friends.

Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Friday, August 16, 2024 in The Lady Chapel at The Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, IN.  A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, IN.  Private burial will take place at Greenwood Cemetery in Michigan City, IN at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the following:

1.) Holy Cross Mission Center. The Holy Cross Mission Center supports the work of the Congregation of Holy Cross throughout the world.

Online Form: donate.holycrossmissions.org

Holy Cross Mission Center

P.O. Box 543

Notre Dame, Indiana 46556-0543

2.) The Transformational Leaders Program at the University of Notre Dame. Notre Dame's Transformational Leaders Program supports underserved students' academic success.

Online form: giveto.nd.edu/dowd-memorial

3.) The Hospice Foundation, Supporting Center for Hospice Care

Online form: foundationforhospice.org

Hospice Foundation, Supporting Center for Hospice Care

501 Comfort Place

Mishawaka, IN 46545

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

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