Ivanka Kustec

IVANKA KUSTEC (nee Drobec) age 92, beloved wife for 66 years of John; loving mother of Mary Lorber (husband Frank, deceased), John Jr. (wife Peggy), Joseph (wife Mary Ellen), Barbara Doering (husband Donald); devoted grandmother of Margaret Ostrun (husband Igor), Maria Spinelli (husband Durante), Frank Lorber (wife Maria), Jennifer Barringer (husband Josh), Andrew Kustec (wife Lauren), Christina Dantona (husband Chris), Elaina Herchick (husband David), Elyce Yoder (husband Verlyn) and great-grandmother of Domenica, Ilaria, Gianluca, Lisandro, Lily, Levi and Milena; cherished daughter of the late Alojz and Ivana (nee Rihtaric) Drobec; dear aunt and great-aunt of many. She was one of ten siblings.

Ivanka was born on May 22, 1928 in Kapala, Slovenia and passed away on September 14, 2020. She was a resident of Richmond Heights for 52 years, formerly residing in Cleveland and Euclid. Ivanka came to the United States from Slovenia in 1950. She was a member of St. Vitus Catholic Church, St. William Catholic Church and St. John of the Cross Catholic Church. Ivanka married John at St. Vitus Catholic Church on June 26, 1954 and was the mother of four children.  She worked for General Electric as an assembler. Ivanka loved cooking, baking, nurturing flowers and enjoyed traveling. She loved her Slovenian heritage and enjoyed listening and dancing to polkas. Ivanka will be remembered most as a social woman with a great sense of humor and beautiful singing voice.  She loved life and was a woman of faith with a strong devotion for the Blessed Mother.  Ivanka always put others before herself, was hard working, had strong will, determination and was devoted to her family.   She brought joy to others and always had an incredible smile to share.   Ivanka will be dearly missed and will live on in the hearts of many.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Ivanka to Thistle House Assisted Living 526 Water St., Chardon, OH 44024 or Hospice of the Western Reserve P.O. Box 72101, Cleveland, OH 44121.

Mass of Christian Burial Saturday, September 19, 2020 at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church at 10:30 AM. Burial following at All Souls Cemetery. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Ivanka at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS, 28890 CHARDON ROAD (between Bishop Rd. and Rt. 91) FRIDAY 4-8 PM. (Masks required, and social distancing observed.)