Sally A. Ladewski

Jan. 13, 1947 - Jan. 16, 2016

SOUTH BEND - Sally A. Ladewski, 69, passed away on January 16, 2016, in her home with her family.

Sally was born January 13, 1947, in Peoria, to the late Rev. Floyd and Vernice (Grenert) Wilson. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Larry Wilson; and sisters, Dora Baker, Illa Outcelt and Gwendolyn Young.

Survivors include husband, Greg Ladewski; son, Matthew Ladewski; daughter, Alicia Ladewski-Bark; brother, Jim Wilson; sisters, Jean Price and Joan Moschel; and grandchildren, Hannah and Noah Ladewski and Lilly Bark.

Sally attended Riley High, where she played in the band. She worked for McCormick Foods for 22 years, retiring in 2013. She enjoyed crafts, crosswords, reading, and dancing at special events with her husband.

A true 60's love story, on November 1, 1969, in the Chapel on Bergstrom AFB, Austin, Texas, Sally married the love of her life, Greg Ladewski. Greg (a Catholic paperboy) lived down the block from Sally (a Baptist minister's daughter) during their grade-school years. In their late teens, Greg joined the Air Force; his first assignment was at Bergstrom AFB in Austin; Sally left South Bend for Austin with her friends. One fateful night, Greg went to the USO for coffee and saw Sally there playing cards. “I know you” he said to her, and a relationship started to bloom. Many fantastic times were shared going to the lake, washing cars in a creek and going to the Broken Spoke for 10 cent beer and line dancing. Love grew and Greg asked Sally to marry him. Their parents were against this union; co-mingling of religions was not acceptable, therefore they refused to sign paperwork allowing the marriage (Greg was not 21 years old yet). A strong love prevailed, Greg turned 21, they married and the love story continued for over 45 years. They traveled the world together, had 2 beautiful children and 3 grandchildren. Time resolved issues with their parents after returning to South Bend to live. “For better or for worse” their vows stayed true, as Greg sat by Sally's side, with the help of his children and Hospice, through her final days, the worst, still loving her but wanting her pain to end. She will be greatly missed but the love for her will continue on and the story will be told for generations to come. “Forever and a Day”

Visitation is 2:00-8:00 pm Tuesday, January 19, 2016, in ST. JOSEPH FUNERAL HOME, 824 S. Mayflower Rd., South Bend, IN 46619. Funeral Service is 10:00 am Wednesday, January 20, 2016, in the funeral home. Burial will follow at St Joseph Cemetery.