Irene L. (Chrapliwy) Bentkowski

Irene L. Bentkowski, 91, passed away on September 23, 2023.

Irene was born on July 6, 1932 in South Bend to the late Joseph and Margaret (Gronke) Chrapliwy and lived most of her life in South Bend. She was also preceded in death by her sister Josephine (Curtis) Thews.

On June 21, 1952 in St. Mary Polish National Catholic Church, she married Chester C. Bentkowski who preceded her in death on June 5, 2017. She is survived by two sons, Steven (Jane) Bentkowski and Kenneth Bentkowski; three grandchildren, Steven (Shannon) Bentkowski, Jr., Patrick (Jessica Watreas) Bentkowski and Kaylee Lawson; six great grandchildren, Steven Bentkowski III “Trey,” Sloane Bentkowski, Sutton Bentkowski, Jaxon Harrison, Liam, and Holly Stratton.

Irene worked at The Associates and retired as Administrative Assistant for The Torrington Company. Irene was a parishioner of St. Mary PNCC. She was a Sunday School Teacher, sang in the parish choir, held various offices and served on the parish Board of Directors.

Irene was a member of the Central Polish-American Organization and was Chairman of the Copernicus Scholarship for over 25 years. She served in various offices of ZB Falcon Nest 80 and District VI.

She was active in the community working at the election polls; St. Joseph Regional Medical Center Auxiliary. She was past president and 1980 Woman of the Year of the American Business Women’s Association; Torrington Toastmasters; was on the committee of the first South Bend Ethnic Festival. She served on the Board of Directors for the Notre Dame Credit Union and the Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation. She was honored in 2008 by the National Fraternal Congress of America with a visit to the US Capitol in Washington, DC for her volunteer efforts.

A special thanks to Cedarhurst Senior Living, Heart to Heart Hospice and to Andrea and Samantha from Carol’s Care.

Visitation will be held from 9:30am-11:00am, with a funeral service beginning at 11:00am on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at St. Joseph Funeral Home, Mayflower Rd. Irene will be entombed in St. Joseph Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name may be made to St. Mary’s PNCC, 159 Summit Dr., South Bend, IN 46619. Condolences may be made at www.sjfh.net

Posted online on September 25, 2023

Published in South Bend Tribune

09/25/2023 EJS