Loretta Helen Waletzko, 93 years old, peacefully passed away on Friday, March 17, 2023 at Healthwin Specialized Care in South Bend.

Loretta was born on October 15, 1929 in South Bend, IN to the late Peter and Helen (Prusinski) Mackowiak. On June 27, 1959, Loretta married the love of her life, Paul Waletzko, who precedes her in death. Loretta was also preceded in death by her daughter Julie Ann Waletzko; and her brothers, Leo Mackowiak and Chester Mackowiak.

Left to cherish the memory of Loretta, are her children, Teri Waletzko, Diane (Marc) Passero, Mary (Johnny) Lopez, and Anthony (Elizabeth) Waletzko; her 11 grandchildren, and her 8 great-grandchildren.

Loretta was a proud homemaker most of her life outside of a short stint working as a seamstress. She enjoyed drawing, reading, gardening, doing crossword puzzles, lighthouses, and watching some of her favorite tv shows on TV Land. Loretta was also an animal lover. She cared for critters of any kind – if they had fur, she loved them. Above all, Loretta loved her family – especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be dearly missed.

The family would like to thank the staff of Healthwin for their tender loving care of Loretta.

Visitation for Loretta will be on Monday, March 20, 2023 from 2:00pm to 8:00pm at St. Joseph Funeral Home, 824 S. Mayflower Road, with a Rosary to be prayed at 3:30pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 11:00am at St. Adalberts Catholic Church, 2505 W Grace St, South Bend. Burial will immediately follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, South Bend.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of Loretta Helen Waletzko may be made out to Muscular Dystrophy Association, .

Online condolences can be made at sjfh.net.

03.18.2023 djb