FANNIE BOGNAR

FANNIE (FRANCESCA) BOGNAR (NEE NAGY) ST. JOHN, HAMMOND, HIGHLAND Fannie (Francesca) Bognar (nee Nagy) 98 years young, of St. John, Hammond, and Highland, peacefully passed away at home on Sunday, November 3, 2013. Fannie was preceded in death by her husband, Julius. Her granddaughter, Kim Murphy faithfully cared for her cherished Nagy Mama for four years, the last two of them in her Calumet City, IL home she shared with her husband, David. A lifelong resident of the Calumet Region, Mrs. Bognar is survived by her 94 year old sister, Theresa Forman; four children; sons: Julius L. (Jeannine) of Irvine, CA and Robert (Sharon) of Fishers, IN; daughters: Patricia Stafford of Stamford, CT and Sue Ellen Ross of Hammond, IN; ten grandchildren: Julius L. Jr. and Lee (Cathy) Bognar of Dana Point, CA, Jonas Bognar of Leuven, Belgium, Jennifer (Lucas) Marrs of Fishers, IN, Robyn Bognar of Indianapolis, IN, Kimberly (David) Murphy of Calumet City, IL, Karin (Henri) Imarazene of Stamford CT, Laura Alexander of Seymour, IN, Anthony (Maritza) Fenyves of Crown Point, IN, and Wendy (Rick) Acevedo of Hammond, IN; twelve great grandchildren: Andrew and Alec Bognar of Dana Point, CA, Harrison Julius Imarazene of Stamford, CT, Joszef Anthony Fenyves of Crown Point, IN, LCPL Dan Acevedo, currently serving with the U.S. Marines in Afghanistan, Mark, Sydney, Brian, and Mikayla Acevedo of Hammond, IN, Ella Grace Marrs of Fishers, IN; two step great grandchildren: Victor and Bridgette Ayala of Highland, IN; and many cherished nieces and nephews. Fannie was preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Julius, Emery, and Louis Nagy, Jr.; and sister, Mary June. Fannie was born in St. Louis, MO on August 21, 1915 of Hungarian emigrant parents, Francesca Vizy and Louis Nagy. She spent the early years of her life in Gary, IN, moving to Hammond in early 1930. She married and raised four children with her late husband, in east Hammond. During WWII she managed her husband’s Sinclair gas and service station on the East Chicago/Hammond border, while he served the war effort at Stauffer Chemical. In later years she assisted in the management of Lake Hills Golf and Country Club, an enterprise they owned until 1971, with two other partners. Fannie was an avid golfer into her late 80s. When arthritic knees slowed her down, she was content with watching her beloved golf on television. For years she was an active member of Maywood Baptist Church, a church that later merged and became American Baptist Church of Munster. Now known as Cornerstone Baptist Church, Fannie had been a lifelong faithful member and servant of our Lord. She was a member of the Baptist Women’s Missionary Society and Church Women United, a world-wide organization of women united to advocate for women’s and children’s issues. In May, 1994, she received the Valiant Woman Award from Church Women United, a title that her life truly emulated. An excellent cook, particularly with Hungarian pastries, Fannie enjoyed sharing her creations with others, especially during the Easter and Christmas seasons. While not Catholic, she served a fish meal every Friday so that anyone who might stop by would feel able to join the family for dinner. Fannie’s organ recitals, her love of life, joy in playing games, smiling eyes, and eagerness to be in the middle of all things social will long be remembered. She will be missed. Funeral services will be held Friday, November 8, 2013 at 10:00 AM at First Christian Church, 9540-5th Street, Highland, IN with Rev. Karl Ludwig and Pastor Steve Jones co-officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Hammond, IN. Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, November 7, 2013 at Kuiper Funeral Home, 9039 Kleinman Road, Highland, IN from 3:00-8:00 PM. Please visit www.kuiperfh.com.