Barbara M. Bobrowski

Age 90 of Lake Station, Indiana passed away surrounded by her family on March 11, 2018. Barbara was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on May 22, 1927. She was an active member of St. Francis Xavier Church in Lake Station. She was a member of the Ladies Sodality and served as President.  She was a lector, and taught First Communion for ten years. She volunteered as a teacher's aide at St. Francis School and served as the librarian. Barbara also enjoyed singing in the church choir.

She was an accomplished seamstress, and sewed many priest vestments and altar accessories over the years. While her seven children were in school, she also served as the PTA President for Central Elementary, Edison Jr. High and Senior High Schools.  She was an officer for the PTA, Citywide Council, and worked as a teacher's aide for the school district.  Barbara also worked for the former East Gary Herald as a school reporter for the newspaper.  She also organized the Helping Hand program, in cooperation with the police department, to provide safety for children going to and from school.  She was a former member of the Hobart Art League. As an artist, she painted with oils, creating beautiful landscapes and wildlife. Her other hobbies included crocheting and knitting.

She was affectionately known as "The Filet Queen" while helping with the family fishing business.  Barbara was very proud of her family. They were first and foremost in her life. She and her loving husband, who passed away in 2005 after 57 years of marriage, were grateful for all the loving memories they shared with their family.

Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, Tony, and by her parents, Joseph and Estelle Banaski; sister Laura; brothers Richard, Joseph, and James; and sister-in-law Janette.

Barbara is survived by her children: Christine Bobrowski of Lake Station; Toni Marie Kurtis of Valparaiso; Patricia (John Gray) Twilla of Valparaiso; Sharon (George) Campbell of Peoria, Arizona; David (Cristina) Bobrowski of Valparaiso; Judith (Edward) Mattingly of Santa Rosa, California; and Barbara Lee (Edward) Ervin of Peoria, Arizona. Grandchildren: Annessa (David) Flowers, Toby (Sara) Kurtis, Amanda (Troy) Rose, Beau Kurtis, Abigail (Chet) Hipskind, Amy Turley, Chase (Monica) Campbell, Lyndee (Dan) Bellamy, Alison (Kurt) Robinson, Anna and Andrew Bobrowski, Grant Mattingly, Olivia (Josh) Rossenbach, Adam and Alex Ervin. Great Grandchildren: Drew, Natalie, and Jillian Flowers; Samuel Kurtis, Jake and Luke Rose; Ashlyn and Ella Hipskind; Tyler, Autumn, Audrey, and Alexis Turley; Ben and Joshua Campbell; Leah and Bryce Robinson; Scarlett Bellamy and Cali Ervin. Sisters: Mary Banaski and Antoinette (Robin) Hood, and many loving nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

"Always our mother forever our friend a place in our hearts where love never ends."

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, March 19, 2018 beginning with 9:15 a.m. prayers at Rees Funeral Home, 600 West Old Ridge Road, Hobart, IN., then going in procession  for a 10 am Mass at St Francis Xavier Church with Rev. Roque Meraz celebrating . Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Portage. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 18, 2018 from 2:00-8:00 pm with a ­­­­­­­­2:30 pm Vigil service at Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel, 600 West Old Ridge Road, Hobart, Indiana 46342. (219)942-2109 or online at www.reesfuneralhomes.com