Margaret K (Kovasics) Beres

June 5, 1924 ~ March 18, 2023 (age 98)

Margaret K Beres, 98, of South Bend passed away peacefully Saturday March 18, 2023 surrounded by her family.

Margaret, or Marge, as her friends called her, was born on June 5th,1924 to Alex and Theresea Kovasics. Her parents immigrated to this country from Hungary in the early 20th century, to build a better life for themselves and their family. Mom was the youngest of six children, Alex, Mary, Theresa, Rose, and Betty who all preceded her in death. She graduated from Washington High School in South Bend in 1942. After graduation, she worked for the Studebaker Corporation. During that time, Studebaker manufactured aircraft engines for the B-17 Bomber. Her job was to document what was being shipped for final assembly. Mom was proud of her work in support of the war effort.

On August 23rd, 1944 Mom married our Dad, Frank Beres, who died in December of 1997. Together they had three children, Mike Beres (wife Kika) of South Bend, Tom Beres (wife Lynn) of Edwardsurg, Mi and Ellen Bozovsky (husband Mark) of Osceola. Mom also had five grandchildren, Mark Beres, Lauren Beres, Christopher Beres, Allison Whiteman, and Kathryn Beres. In addition she had five great grandchildren, whom she was very proud of.

After her children were older, Mom went to work for Robertson's Department Store in South Bend. In 1965 a new discount department store opened on the south side of South Bend, Briteway Sales. With hard work and perseverance she eventually became the Manager of the Paint Department. It was unusual at that time for a woman to be in such a position of such responsibility. She learned everything she could about the paint industry. She was well respected and liked by her co-workers and customers. After retiring, she stayed connected with her work friends by organizing and attending luncheons of her fellow employees.

Mom loved nothing more than having family gatherings during the holidays. She was an excellent cook and spent hours putting together authentic Hungarian meals She also enjoyed traveling with her daughter Ellen, to Mexico and taking cruises to the Caribbean, and summer trips to Northern Michigan.

When they were in their sixties, Mom and Dad made two trips to Hungary, where they were able to connect with Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins that they had never met before. On the second trip they took a contingent of family members with them to meet her new extended family. She was able to stay connected to her relatives for the rest of her life. Mom was an active member for over 50 years of St Jude Catholic Church in South Bend.

Mom grew up during the Great Depression, battled a serious childhood illness, and had two sisters who died during adolescence. Our Dad shipped off to Europe a few weeks after they were married, and was seriously wounded and almost died during the Battle of the Bulge. Mom dealt with a lot of adversity during her life, and through it all she became a strong, self-reliant, and confident woman. In doing so she taught her children and grandchildren many important life lessons. Thank you for everything you did for us Mom. We love you! You will be sorely missed and never forgotten.

Funeral services for Margaret will be at 12 p.m. on Friday March 24, 2023 at the Palmer Funeral Homes-Guisinger Chapel 3718 S Michigan St. South Bend. Visitation will be held from 10 am until the time of service. Interment will take place at Highland Cemetery, South Bend.

Memorial Contributions in Marge’s name may be made to Riley Children’s Hospital or the Disabled American Veteran’s.

Online condolences may be sent to the family via the Palmer Funeral Homes website at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com

Posted online on March 21, 2023

Published in South Bend Tribune

03/21/2023 EJS