Victoria Zieba, 96, slipped into the Lord’s hands early March 8, 2018, at Virginia Place, Merrillville, IN.

She was born March 30, 1921, in Swiedziebnia, Poland. Prior to moving to Virginia Place, she lived with her daughter and son-in-law for 14 years.  At 18, Victoria, along with her father, mother, and younger brother were taken in the middle of the night by Nazis to Germany as slave laborers. She and her parents were sent to separate farms. Her brother worked as a butcher in northern Poland, until it was discovered he had been with the Polish underground. He was sent to Stutthof Concentration Camp where he died from illness.  Victoria spoke German so she was sent to work in an officers’ dining hall. When World War II ended, she celebrated by running into the streets while banging on a pot with a spoon. Victoria and her parents started their new lives in Hildesheim near Hanover in Germany.  She volunteered to help get the local hospital running.  Victoria met her husband, John, of 53 years. Originally from Krakow, Poland, he had made his way from concentration camps and captivity, to Hildesheim. They married August 7, 1946.  They worked for the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, or UNRA.  In 1948, Victoria and John, and her parents were making plans to relocate to the United States. Victoria, 6 ½ months pregnant, was devastated when her mother was admitted into the hospital and became one of 8 women experimented on by a yet undetected Nazi doctor. Her mother died and was buried in Hildesheim. The remaining family came to the States in June of 1949 on the first airlift to Hartford, CT. With courage and conviction, Victoria pushed through her struggles and sad memories. They settled in Cleveland, OH.  Her next child was born. In 1953, Victoria and family moved to Elkhart, IN, where she became a U.S. citizen in 1958. As she settled into her home of 40 years, Victoria volunteered at school. She made costumes and taught a Polish dance. In 1961, her last child was born. Victoria had been with the Girl Guides in Poland and Germany. She became a Lifetime Girl Scout in the States. Victoria worked as a seamstress at home, until attending Carter Secretarial School. She worked at Elkhart General Hospital for 19 ½ years in medical records and insurance, sometimes doing translating. Victoria and John enjoyed traveling. In 1993, they moved to Reno, NV; late 1996, life brought them to Crown Point, IN. She took care of John until he passed in 1999. Victoria, dearly loved by family and friends, was anxious to share her extraordinary story, talk about history and learn of other nations, share handmade baby blankets and table cloths, and offer delicious dishes.  She encouraged learning other languages and traveling.  Victoria always loved and missed her homeland.

Victoria was preceeded in death by husband, John Zieba, father, Viktor, mother , Monika, and brother, Waclaw Twarogowski.

Surviving are Victoria’s step-sister Diane (John) Zapisek; children Leszek(Caroline)Zieba; Joan(Ron)Gang; Michael(Andrea)Zieba; grandchildren Katherine(Marc)Jackett; Jeffrey(Angela)Gang; Nicole and Marcel Zieba; great-grandchildren: Sarah(Sam)Green; Johnathon Gang; Lindsey Gang; Brandon Jackett; Ariana Moats; dear friend, Sally Weirich.

Services for Victoria will be Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at St. Matthias Roman Catholic Church, Crown Point, IN. Viewing is from 9:30 to 11 in the narthex. Mass is at 11:00 a.m. with graveside prayers afterwards at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Crown Point, IN. Officiating will be Fr. Jim Wozniak.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dunes Hospice of Valparaiso or St. Claire’s Clinic in Crown Point.