Elena Michalowski Retzer

Elena Retzer, age 88, passed away Wednesday, August 31, 2011, at Wheaton-Franciscan–All Saints Medical Center. Elena was born in Kretinga, Lithuania, on August 17, 1923, daughter of the late Pranas and Magdalena (Nee: Petrylaite) Lekstutyte and immigrated to the U.S. in April of 1953.

Elena retired from Moxness Products after many years of employment. She was a former member of St. Casimir Catholic Church. Elena was an animal lover. Her first passion was fishing, followed by her love for her pet dogs and cats, and then the birds and other wildlife in her backyard that she enjoyed feeding and observing. She was also known to enjoy an occasional trip to the casino. Elena’s pride and joy were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be dearly missed.

Survivors include her sons, John (Lee) Michalowski of Tigerton, WI, Frank (Mary Anna) Michalowski of Racine; her grandsons, Brian (Kristin) Michalowski of Madison, Nathan (Sara) Michalowski of Burlington; step-grandson, Stephan Anthofer; her great-grandsons, Matthew and Andrew; sisters, Zita Urbonas, Sophie Styra of Toronto, CA; nieces, nephews, other relatives in Lithuania and many dear friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Jan Michalowski and Samuel Retzer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, September 6, 2011, at 10 a.m. at St. Richard’s Catholic Church, 1503 Grand Ave., with Rev. Ronald J. Gramza officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Monday at the funeral home from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. and Tuesday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass at 10 a.m. Memorials to the Countryside Humane Society have been suggested.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff at Lakeshore Manor for their loving and compassionate care and to the Wheaton Franciscan Nursing Staff for their help and caring through the years.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine   (262) 634-7888