Dr. Elizabeth Petrakis

Dr. Elizabeth Petrakis, age 73, passed away Monday, December 20, 2010, at Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints Medical Center from Pulmonary Fibrosis. She was born in Racine, September 12, 1937, daughter of the late James T. and Angelina (Nee: Kerhulas) Petrakis.

She graduated from Washington Park High School, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (BS), Smith College (MS) and the University of North Carolina-Greensboro (EDD). She was professor emeritus at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). In 1967, her college teaching career began in Teacher Education with emphasis in Physical Education. During her tenure, she taught, advised and coached many students in the Department of Physical Education. In the new era of women’s athletics, she was the first UNL women’s field hockey and tennis coach. With the advent of the personal computer, she was instrumental in developing the Teachers College computer requirements. She developed software for teaching tennis and for teaching teachers how to observe movement and to give feedback to improve students’ sport performance.

She was an avid sports fan who actively participated in tennis and golf. As a child she wanted to be a Racine Belle. She watched major sporting events either in person (Nebraska Sports, Olympics) or on TV. She loved to travel and spend her summers on a Greek Island or exploring Europe, China and South America.

Survivors include her brother, Ted J. Petrakis of Racine; aunt, Irene Moskonas; cousins, Bill and Carolyn Moskonas; and nieces, Christine (Dan) Lenczner, Julie (Todd) Hendricks; and cousins, Catherine D. Ledford of NC and Adrian Petrakis of MI; and many friends of Racine and of Nebraska.

Funeral services will be held Monday, December 27, 2010, at 11 a.m. at the Kimissis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church, 1335 South Green Bay Rd. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Monday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to The Greek Ladies Philoptochos Society or The Kiliveros Sunday School Fund.

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