Ivanka was born in Zagreb (Yugoslavia) on October 12, 1932. She was introduced to Adventism by her mother who was an Adventist before Ivanka’s birth.
Ivanka was the wife of Nino Bulzis, pastor, departmental director in Italy and at the Inter-European Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (EUD).
Ivanka was first introduced to Nino Bulzis at an Adventist youth gathering of the then two churches of Zagreb. The two got married shortly after. The fruits of their union came with the births of Patrizia, in Bolzano and Lorena, in Rome.
Nino Bulzis spent his appointment as pastor in Bolzano for seven years, in a bilingual church (Italian and German). This was followed by two years in Bari, as pastor of the city church. He subsequently went to Rome as chief colporteur for the Italian Union, for eight years, including four years as youth director for the Italian Union.
Thereafter he was called to work at the EUD in the Youth and Family department for 15 years.
The final stage of his pastoral career (of nine years) was spent in the small bilingual (German and French) town church of Biel/Bienne, Switzerland.
Their daughter, Patrizia, studied at Newbold College, learning English for three years. While there, she met a young man from Finland, Leif Hongisto, who was studying theology. At the end of their studies, they were married. After completing high school in Bern, Lorena, the youngest daughter, went on to study occupational therapy and earned a master’s degree in ethnology.
Presenting her mother at the funeral, Patrizia said : “I've never seen you idle, and even as a little girl I'm helping out. With joy and energy, we can conquer the world together.
You were young and strong, and I love being with you so much. We drew together, you were tender, my drawings were always the best in school. You have seen beauty everywhere and given it to others. Because of this I know that you have given me strength. Strength, courage, and consistent holding have been given to me.
I deeply appreciate the courage you have given me. Like you I had the courage to move to another country, like you I have the courage to think differently.
Like you I have the courage to hold on to good things. Holding on and letting go, both take courage.
I will be eternally grateful to you, because from the wisdom you've shown, in great and small things, from wisdom - I can draw to the end of my life.”
After completing high school in Bern, Lorena went on to study occupational therapy and earned a master’s degree in ethnology.
“Ivanka lovingly supported me in doing the Lord’s work. She was very reserved but capable of giving good counsel to her husband. The most remarkable thing was her acceptance of being alone, often for several weeks at a time, such as when I went to Africa or America; alone even in raising our daughters and managing the home,” Nino Bulzis declared.
Ivanka began to feel the damaging effects of osteoporosis almost 15 years ago, a degenerative disease that decreases bone density and deforms the bones, resulting in scoliosis and kyphosis.
As time passed, she could no longer walk, manage the home, or take care of herself. Shortly before going to rest in the Lord, she told her husband: “Nino, I love you; don’t be afraid to live alone.” To her two daughters: “Patrizia, I love you. Lorena, I love you.”
A mother, a woman, a pastor’s wife, and a missionary following her companion who had dedicated his life to the church.
“I got to know the Bulzis family when I attended the children’s Sabbath School in Rome, in the ‘70s. I fondly remember, even through the fog of time, Patrizia’s and Lorena’s mother. A private but attentive woman,” said Corrado Cozzi, Director of Communications at the EUD.
Many directors’ wives are private and often unknown. However, they perform an extraordinary work, for the children who often don’t see their fathers for several days, and for their husbands who are able to fulfill their ministry precisely thanks to their wives’ support.
To all these wives, we want to say, “Thank you,” for a ministry that has not passed through the seats of a seminary, nor received any academic recognition, but produces results that have a value worthy of the mission that they are carrying out.
The management of the Inter-European Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church extends its deepest condolences to the Bulzis family, thanking them for the great and loving service rendered to the Church. May the Lord comfort Ivanka’s relatives in their wait for the glorious return of our Savior Jesus Christ.