Submitted by: Dan Rich
Dec. 16, 1917 - April 16, 2008
South Bend Tribune 4/17/2008
GRANGER - Mrs. Florence Caroline Bartuska, 90, passed away
while receiving care at the Healthwin Specialized Care Facility,
South Bend. Mrs. Bartuska was born Dec. 16, 1917, in Main
Township, Marathon County, near Wausau, WI. Florence Caroline Beilke
was the daughter of Benjamin G. Beilke (1894-1967) and Martha A. Goetsch
(1898-1989). She was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church,
Wausau, WI, in 1931, graduated from Wausau High School in 1935,
and was a member of the National Honor Society. After graduating
from Purdue University in 1939, where she majored in English and
Science, she came to South Bend to work for Dr. Arthur Sullivan
as an x-ray and laboratory technician.
Soon afterwards, she met and married James
A. Bartuska Sr. who was at the time a carburetor technician
trainee with the Bendix Corporation. They were wed on July 6,
1930, in Wausau, WI. He passed away on February 19, 2008, in
South Bend. Having been a member of the high school orchestra
cello section, as well as the Purdue orchestra violin section,
she also enjoyed playing the piano and listening to classical
music. She possessed a unique curiosity and a lifelong passion
for reading all types of literature (especially mysteries), which
served her well when she sought employment. From 1957 to 1963 she
was employed as a research assistant by Dr. Charles Bramble in
the chemistry department at the University of Notre Dame where
she researched the affects of radiation on blood. In 1963 she
went to work for the South Bend Public Library in the Business
and Technology Department at the main downtown branch. When she
retired in 1979 she held the position of branch manager at the
LaSalle Branch. During this time she received her master's degree
in library science. While a librarian, Mrs. Bartuska wrote and
published a guide to multilingual book collections for prison
libraries, and was also intimately involved with Project Head
Start initiatives.
Florence is survived by her loving sister,
Patricia J. Worden (Leon) of Wisconsin Dells, WI. She is
also survived by her children and their spouses, James A.
Bartuska Jr. (Lynn) of Niles, MI, Jan W. Bartuska Combs (Bill) of
Auburn, CA, Peter C. Bartuska of Granger and George E. Bartuska
(Janet) of Lakeland, FL. Florence has three loving grandchildren,
Jamie, Erin and Benjamin. Florence was a lifetime member of the
Purdue Alumni Association and was active in the League of Women
Voters. In addition to her lifelong passion for reading and
curiosity about the world around her, she loved the outdoors and
maintained a variety of bird feeders in her backyard during the
winter months so she could watch the many birds that visited.
The McGann-Hay Funeral Home is handling
arrangements. Donations in her name may be made to the South Bend
Library or to The Center For Hospice of St. Joseph County.