Donna (Kletka) Alvear

Dec. 16, 1916 – Feb. 13, 2006

Donna (Kletka) Alvear, 89, a longtime resident of South Bend, passed away peacefully from natural causes on February 13, 2006, at her residence in St. Charles, Illinois. Donna was born on December 16, 1916, in South Bend. She was the only child of Harvey and Beatrice (Luedtke) Kletka.

In 1956, Donna married Paul Alvear, who she met at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in South Bend. They were married almost 45 years, until Mr. Alvear passed away in 2001.

Donna is survived by two daughters, Ilene Dailey of St. Charles, Illinois, and Cindy (Bob) Haddad of Carmel, Indiana; and six loving grandchildren, Maria, Chandler and Kathleen Dailey, Alexandra Cozza Haddad, Griffin and Radley Haddad.

From her youth, Donna knew she wanted to teach. 

She graduated from the National College of Education (now National-Louis University) in Evanston, Illinois, and earned her master’s degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. She taught, encouraged and nurtured young students in the South Bend Community School Corporation for over 45 years. In addition to dancing, Donna enjoyed playing the piano, traveling across the U.S., reading, solving word puzzles, and caring for her home and family. She was a member of First Church of Christ, Scientist. Donna lived in her home in South Bend until 2004, when she moved to Delnor Glen to be nearer to family in St. Charles.

The family would like to thank the staff from Home Instead, Delnor Glen, and Seasons Hospice, and the private caregivers who over the last few years gave Donna the loving support and assistance she so richly deserved. Friends may call from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Friday, February 17, 2006, in the Welsheimer Funeral Home, 521 N. William St., South Bend, Indiana.Graveside services will follow in the chapel at Highland Cemetery.

Article from 16 Feb 2006 The South Bend Tribune (South Bend, IN)

Sources: Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com and FindAGrave.com

04/25/2026 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/105683525/donna-belle-alvear