Therese M. (Vaszari) Fansler

Therese M. Fansler, 85 years old, passed away at 5:08 a.m. on Thursday, October 28, 2021 at her home, with her family by her side.  Therese was born on September 16, 1936 in South Bend to the late Julius and Mathilda (Varga) Sappenfeild.  She has been a lifelong resident of Lakeville.  On May 26, 1956 in South Bend, Therese and Jack N. Fansler were united in marriage.  Jack preceded her in death on September 28, 2020 after 64 years of marriage.  Therese was also preceded in death by her daughter, Denise Fansler; sons, Guy and Douglas Fansler; grandson, Brandon Fansler; and brother, Robert Vaszari.

Therese is survived by her daughter, Julie (Kevin) Whitehead of South Bend; son, Shawn (Amy) Fansler of Plymouth; daughter-in-law, Judith Fansler of Mishawaka; “adopted daughter”, Aimee Leed-Lucas of Plymouth; eleven grandchildren, Jessica Fansler, Jennifer Fansler, Jessica Whitehead, Cameron Whitehead, Summer Plummer, Josey Leed, Shaylee Leed, Jacob Fansler, Joseph Fansler, Joshua Fansler, and Jillian Fansler; seven great grandchildren; her two brothers, G.R. “Skip” (Linda) Vaszari of Spring Grove, IL and John (Renata) Vaszari of Redondo, CA; sister, Regina “Reggie” (John) Wolferman of Florida; and sister-in-law, Gail Ann Vaszari of Lakeville.

Therese retired as Head Teller in 1998 after 23 years with 1st Source Bank.  She attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church in South Bend. Therese was an avid reader and was never without a book. It was always a rare day if she didn’t have clothes hanging on the line, any season of the year. She loved the smell of sunshine of line dried clothes and sheets. She enjoyed sitting on her porch and deck with family members drinking iced tea. She absolutely loved company and would stop whatever she was doing to sit and visit with you. Her family was her everything, her world. Despite the losses she suffered, she always remained so positive and optimistic. Laughter is something “Theresie” loved to do. When she got together with her siblings, that’s all that could be heard, nonstop laughter. She loved the Smokey Mountains and looked so forward to her trips with family, as well as the yearly Labor Day Weekend Family Reunion Bashes at “The Lake” were always a favorite. Anything that had to do with family, and family get togethers, she loved. She truly loved and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and taught most of them how to play Rummy 500. Many afternoons were spent at the kitchen table playing Rummy, munching on goodies, drinking iced tea, smack talking, and laughing at her ruthlessness and rule changing.  Holidays were something she thoroughly enjoyed preparing for and hosting. Therese will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and any whose life she touched.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan Street, South Bend.  Graveside services and burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend.  Friends may visit with the family from 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.  Friends may also visit with the family one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Therese Fansler may be donated to Elara Care Hospice, 813 Porter Campus Drive, Valparaiso, IN  46383.  Online condolences may be offered to the Fansler family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com. 

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