Casimira A. Grzyb, 91, went to her Eternal Resting Place on Friday, September 7, 2012, after courageously fighting many medical problems since January; the last one was just too much to overcome. She was born in Racine on December 1, 1920, to Casper and Domicele (Nee: Bakutis) Miskinis.
After graduating from Holy Name School, two years at St. Catherine’s, and one year at St. Casimir’s Academy in Chicago, she eventually had to give up her vocation to become a Sister of St. Casimir for medical reasons. She returned home and graduated from Racine-Kenosha County Normal School in 1942 and began her 41-year career as an elementary teacher. She taught one-room rural schools in Walworth County from 1942-45 and one year at Lakeside School in Mt. Pleasant from 1945-46.
On December 29, 1945, she married Harry A. Grzyb. After beginning to raise her two sons, she returned to teaching in 1953 at St. Mary’s Grade School in Racine and continued there until it closed in 1970. During that time she received her B.A. in Education from Dominican College in 1957. From 1970 until her retirement in 1990 she taught for the Racine Unified School District (Garfield-five years; Fundamental-five years; and Dr. Jones-ten years). Early in that period she received her M.S. in Educational Psychology-Guidance and Counseling from UW-Milwaukee in 1972.
Over the years she was a member of AAUW, ACEI, NEA/WEA, REA and then WREA/RAREA. Since 1978 she was a proud member of Alpha Delta Kappa Professional Teachers Sorority.
Her parish memberships included St. Mary’s. St. Casimir’s, and lastly St. Richard’s. She had been a choir member, lector, Eucharistic minister, member of various committees such as Human Concerns at these parishes. She also served a term on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council in Milwaukee. Even though she received both archdiocesan and public school awards for her teaching excellence, the award that she most treasured was the Archbishop’s Vatican II Award for Service to the church that she received from Archbishop Rembert Weakland in 1998. She was also an original member of the Racine Dominican Associates.
Being an avid baker, many of her former students, doctors and their staffs, friends and relatives will fondly remember her cookies -- especially the raspberry-filled oatmeal cut-outs.
As her sons and everyone else will heartily agree, a more loving, caring, truly authentic Christian mother to all is not likely to be found. Truly a saint has walked amongst us.
Casimira is survived by her sons, Gerard (Linda) of Neenah and Thomas; her brother, Vincent Miskinis; her niece, Karen Miskinis; her nephews, Greg (Maria) Miskinis of Waupaca, John and Ricky Denzine. She is further survived by #3 son, Robert Medasis and his family --- best neighbors ever; longest teacher friend, Doris Reinke of Elkhorn; dearest friends “Doctor” Carol Beranis, R.N., and family, JoAnn Hansen, Catherine Ingram, Monique Monroe, Elizabeth Monroe, Suzanne Stevenson and many others including Lakeshore Harmony Club volunteers she coordinated with Monique.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harry (1996); sisters, Stella and Laura; her sister-in-law, Shirley Miskinis (2000); her dear niece, Mary (Denzine) Biesack (2012); and extremely longtime friends, Delores Wozniecki, Marilyn Mack, and Lillian Gregory.
On Wednesday, September 12, 2012, Fr. Ron Gramza will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial for her at the Siena Center Chapel, 5635 Erie St. (Visitation by friends and relatives will be held from 3 p.m. until the time of the Mass at 4:30 p.m. with a Remembering Service starting at 4 p.m.) A private final ceremony will be held on Thursday at the Holy Cross Cemetery Chapel and Mausoleum. At her specific request, in lieu of flowers, please designate memorials to Sr. Joann Blomme, O.P. and her mission in Tutwiler, MS; Respite Services Harmony Clubs; Sisters of St. Casimir-Chicago; and Dominican Sisters-Racine.
Her family would like to especially thank Drs. Willard, Dizadji, and Vloka of the Cardiovascular Institute as well as primary care Dr. Rackliffe for their efforts to remedy her various medical conditions from 2007 until her passing.
MARESH-MEREDITH AND ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888
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