Claudia Ann Varichak (nee Resetar), age 68, passed away July 1, 2024.  She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Mark E. Varichak; her parents, Robert and Ann Resetar; her sister, Jane Resetar; and her childhood, best friend, Mary Ann Kucsera.  She is survived by her brothers, Alan (Donna) Resetar of Valparaiso and Peter Resetar of Chesterton; her sister, Elizabeth (Michael) Kelly of Hershey, PA; nephews, Ryan Kelly of Elizabethtown, PA; John Kelly of Hummelstown, PA; niece, Margret Kelly, of Pacific Grove, CA; many cousins and in-laws; many friends and neighbors; and especially her devoted friend and neighbor, Becky Smith, who skillfully and lovingly assisted Claudia during her illness.

Claudia was born in Hammond on September 23, 1955.  She attended St. John Bosco Elementary School and Donald E. Gavit High School.  On October 20, 1991, after converting to the Orthodox faith, she married the love of her life, Mark Varichak, at St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church, then located in South Chicago, Illinois.

As a young woman, Claudia worked as a dispatcher for the Hammond Police Department, and various positions in retail including at Montgomery Wards and the Warehouse Club.  She was known for her eye for detail and her creative efficiency, such as wearing roller skates to move about the warehouse after hours to complete inventory.  But most of Claudia's life was spent as a master caregiver, first for her mother-in-law, then her own parents.  She brought her mother, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease to the home Claudia shared with Mark in Highland to better care for her.  Tragically, her last caregiving duty was for her husband, Mark, as he battled cancer for two years.

Claudia devotedly cared for others, but she deferred most offers to care for her, or even visit or call, during her illness.  Fortunately, she entrusted Becky Smith to help her.  Claudia limited the news of her own cancer to a tiny circle of people.  During her months long illness, she talked lovingly about all her family, friends, neighbors, cousins and in-laws (and their pets!) in great detail.  She remembered the names of everyone's children, who was married or related to who, and the dates of the major events of their lives.

Claudia specifically requested a short, simple funeral.  Friends are invited to meet with the family on Monday, July 8, 2024, 11 am to noon at the Solan-Pruzin Funeral Home, 7109 Calumet Ave., Hammond, IN.  An Orthodox prayer service will begin at noon with Fr. Aleksandar Savic officiating. Interment following at Oak Hill Cemetery, 6445 Hohman Ave. in Hammond.  Claudia specifically requested NO flowers.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church (1500 186th St., Lansing, IL 60438) or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, ( stjude.org ).