Feb. 25, 1945 — Nov. 26, 2014

Elaine Ann Katovsich, 69, of Diamond Lake, Cassopolis, formerly of South Bend, Indiana, died peacefully Wednesday evening, November 26, 2014, in Memorial Hospital, South Bend surrounded by her family.

Elaine was born February 25, 1945 in South Bend, Indiana to Frank and Bernice (Buzalski) Karnafel. She married Thomas M. “Butch” Katovsich on July 23, 1966 at Saint Stephen’s Catholic Church in South Bend.

Elaine graduated from Saint Mary’s Academy, South Bend in 1962 and from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana in 1966 with a bachelor’s degree in education. She taught at Lafayette School and second grade at Saint Mary of the Assumption Catholic School, both of South Bend. After several years of teaching, she and her husband, Butch, began a joint career as founders and co-owners of Blast-Kote, Inc. in South Bend, which specialized in sandblasting and specialty coatings.

They were quite the team with Elaine managing the office while Butch and staff did the sandblasting and painting. Their joint endeavor granted them an early retirement with time to travel and enjoy their summer home on Diamond Lake. What may have been the highlight of her professional experience was the “volunteering” of her time and efforts as the founding receptionist at her son and daughter-in-law’s counseling practice.

A significant aspect of Elaine’s life involved helping others, caring for numerous relatives and friends who were ill; she always seemed to be the person whom everyone approached when difficult decisions needed to be made, given her ability to offer sound advice and her willingness to share compassionately with others without hesitation. Without question, she always put the needs of others before her own regardless of the circumstance.

Elaine was very proud of her heritage, growing up on the corner of Brookfield and Huron Streets in South Bend, living above the Brookfield Food Market grocery store owned by her parents, Frank and Bernice. She never knew a stranger and dearly loved children, making friends wherever she went. This was particularly evident in the number of healthcare providers who were immediately drawn to her over the years as she battled various illnesses. Elaine was well known for her quick wit, her upbeat personality, and her ability to remain positive. She never complained, regardless of the trials she endured or the amount of pain and discomfort she encountered.

Elaine will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by her husband of forty eight years, Thomas M. Katovsich of Cassopolis; one son, Andrew T. Katovsich and his wife, Dr. Rebecca B. Katovsich of Cassopolis as well as one sister, Jannette M. Rafferty, also of Cassopolis.

Family and friends will gather Monday, Dec. 1, 2014, from 4 to 8 p.m. p.m. in Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, 202 North Broadway Street, Cassopolis, where a rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. A brief prayer service will be held at 10:15 a.m. at the funeral home on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014, before the funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church, 210 North Front Street, Dowagiac with Fr. Kevin Covert presiding. Mrs. Katovsich will be laid to rest in Saint Joseph Cemetery, South Bend, Indiana.

The family prefers contributions be made in Elaine’s memory to either Northwestern Memorial Foundation, 251 East Huron Street, Galter Pavilion, Suite 3-200, Chicago, Illinois 60611 or Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church, 210 North Front Street, Dowagiac, Michigan 49047.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.