Kathleen Ann Burge

Kathleen Ann Burge, 60, passed away unexpectedly at her residence on Saturday November 22, 2008. She was born in Bloomington, Illinois, on April 17, 1948, the daughter of Gerald and Helen (nee: Johnson) Burge.

Kathleen was a Wm. Horlick High School graduate “Class of 1966.” She attended Racine Bible Church, and Evangelical United Methodist Church. Kathleen enjoyed cross-stitch, sewing, listening to a variety of music, and loved spending time with her family and friends.

Kathleen is survived by her mother, Helen Burge; sisters, Carolyn Burge, located in Burkina Faso, West Africa, Serving In Missions (S.I.M.), Sue (John) Marton and their children, Erica and Jacob, Barbara “Bobbie” Sawyer and her children, Keri (Brian) Fosse, Andrew, Eric, and Molly Sawyer; and one brother, James Burge. She was preceded in death by her father, Gerald Burge, in 2002.

There will be a visitation at Sturino Funeral Home on Friday, November 28, 2008, from 3 p.m. until service time at 4 p.m., with Rev. John Miesel from Racine Bible Church officiating. Private burial will follow services. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Serving In Missions (S.I.M.) or Child Evangelism Fellowship (C.E.F.) would be appreciated by the family.

The Burge family would like to extend a very heartfelt thank you to Carol Berry, Colleen Dorsey and Christine Wright-Olsen for always being there for Kathleen and for being dear friends.

Sturino Funeral Home
3014 Northwestern Ave., Racine 262 632-6050

George T. Scripko

George T. Scripko, age 76, passed away Saturday, November 22, 2008, at Wheaton-Franciscan All Saints Medical Center. George was born in Racine on March 27, 1932, son of the late Theodore and Marie (Nee: Kubatova) Scripko.

George was a graduate of Washington Park High School “Class of 1950.” During the Korean conflict he served in the 128th Squadron of the United States Air Force. Furthering his education, he graduated from Chicago Floral School of Design and owned and operated Sheridan Woods Florist for more than forty years. He enjoyed skiing and was a founding member of the Vagabond Ski Club. On August 18, 1974, he was united in marriage to Nancy C. Ripp. He will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy; his sister, Helen (Ronald) Pawasarat of Palatine, IL; sisters-in-law, Elaine Saber of Brookfield, WI, Sr. Virginia Ripp O.P. of Whitefish Bay, WI, Gail (Everett) Thoreson of S. Wayne, WI, Peggy Ripp of Greenfield, WI; many nieces, nephews and dear friends. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law, Daniel Ripp, Richard Ripp, and Charles Saber.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1100 Erie St., on Saturday, November 29, 2008, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Ricardo Martin officiating. Private interment will be held at Graceland Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Friday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of Mass. Memorials to one’s favorite charity have been suggested.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Clarita Andujar, Othella “Bee” McGowan, Scott Nejedly, and kind neighbors for their loving and compassionate care

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

Elsie Helen Larrabee

Elsie Helen (nee: Olson-Nowak) Larrabee, 73, passed away with her family at her side on Saturday, November 22, 2008, at Wheaton Franciscan Health Care-All Saints.

Elsie was born in Albion, Wisconsin, on December 7, 1934. the daughter of Sebert and Marie (nee: Spiering) Olson. She was united in marriage to her first husband, James H. Nowak in Racine; he preceded her in death on March 25, 2002. Then Elsie was married to Ernest Larrabee on December 23, 2005.

She was employed as an Orthodontic Technician for A.O.A., retiring after many years of service. Elsie found great spiritual satisfaction in providing and mailing scripture to prison inmates and nursing homes, spreading the word of the Lord. She was a faithful member of Community Church of the Nazarene, and found great enjoyment in gardening and reading.

Elsie is survived by her loving husband, Ernest, and her children, Elizabeth (Roger) Bach, James (Jamie) Nowak Jr. all of Racine, Sheila (John) Dorvany of Shawano, Rev. Thomas (Jeanie) Nowak of Buchanan, Mich., Bruce (Patricia) Nowak, Rebecca (Larry) Kragh, Kelvin (Yvonne) Nowak, all of Racine; 16 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; stepchildren, Wayne (Cindy) Larrabee of Racine, Lorene (Larry) Kozlowski of California, Renee (Tim) Ahles of Racine, Sharon “Birdie” (Terrill) Petersen of Milwaukee, Keith (Linda) Larrabee of Racine, Derek Larrabee of Sheboygan. She is further survived by 15 step-grandchildren, and 20 step-great-grandchildren, along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear and loving friends.

Elsie was preceded in death by her first husband, James Nowak Sr., one sister and six brothers.

Funeral services will be held at Community Church of the Nazarene 8440 Spring St., on Wednesday November 26, 2008, at 10 a.m. with Rev. James Larrabee officiating. Burial will follow at Caledonia Memorial Park. There will be a visitation at Sturino Funeral Home on Tuesday evening from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 9 a.m. until service time. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Tribute Program, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN. 38105-1942, have been suggested by the family.

The family would like to extend a very special heartfelt thank you to Cardiac Institute I.C.U. nurses and staff for the wonderful care given to our loving mother, Elsie.

Sturino Funeral Home
3014 Northwestern Ave., Racine (262) 632-4479

Clarence Bertelsen

Clarence Bertelsen, 97, passed away at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - All Saints on Friday, November 21, 2008. He was born in Racine on August 3, 1911, the son of Peter and Knudine (nee: Jensen) Bertelsen.

Clarence was united in marriage to Dagney Jacobsen on October 24, 1936. He was a machinist at Massey Harris, retiring after many years of service. After his retirement Clarence became a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, continuing there until 2001, at which time he was 90 years old..

Clarence is survived by two sons; Dean (Sue) Bertelsen of Yorkville and Warren Bertelsen of Racine; and a daughter, Karen (Vern) Kolze of Arizona. He is further survived by 17 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Clarence was preceded in death by, his wife, Dagney on January 22, 1992.

Funeral services will be held at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 322 Ohio St., on Monday, November 24, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. James Barsch officiating. Entombment will take place at West Lawn Memorial Park. There will be a visitation at the church on Monday before services from 9:30 a.m. until time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Lutheran Church of the Resurrection have been suggested by the family.

A special thank you to the Cardiac Care Unit doctors, nurses and staff for the fine care Clarence received.

Sturino Funeral Home
3014 Northwestern Ave., Racine (262) 632-4479

Carl O. Solberg

Carl O. Solberg, 94, died in Wheaton Franciscan Hospital-All Saints on Friday, November 21, 2008. He was born in Blair, WI, on April 29, 1914, the son of the late Albert and Ellen (nee: Houkam) Solberg.

On March 16, 1944, he was united in marriage to the former Mildred Engen who preceded him in death on January 1, 1996. Mr. Solberg served his country with the U.S. Army during WWII. He was a carpenter by trade and worked for various contractors including Korndoefer Builders, and also S.C. Johnson. Mr. Solberg was a retiree of the Carpenters Local # 91. He enjoyed watching the Packers, the Brewers and the Cubs.

Surviving are his children, David Solberg of Racine, Ron (Linda) Solberg of Sturtevant, and Sheri (Bill) Switzer of Kenosha; three grandchildren, Michael Solberg of Racine, Matthew (Larisa) Solberg of Cheyenne, WY, and Morgan Solberg of Racine. His nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends further survive him. In addition to his parents and beloved wife, his sisters, Mabel Solberg, Edna Holte, Verna Kjos and brothers Eddie Solberg and Art Solberg preceded him in death.

His funeral service will be held in Holy Communion Lutheran Church, 2000 W Sixth St., at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26, with Rev. Jeffrey Barrows officiating. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Tuesday from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. and in the church on Wednesday from noon until the time of the service. Burial, with full military honors, will follow in Graceland Cemetery. The family has suggested memorials to the Wheaton Franciscan Hospice.

DRAEGER LANGENDORF FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY
4600 County Line Rd., Racine (262) 552-9000

Frank L. Riley

Frank L. Riley, age 96, passed away after a short illness on Thursday, November 20, 2008, at the Hospice House, Pleasant Prairie, WI. Frank was born in Cumberland, WI, on September 21, 1912, son of the late Thomas F. and Mabel (Nee: Tewksbury) Riley.

On September 28, 1940, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church he was united in marriage to Mary Carney who preceded him in death, February 2, 1996. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church until its closing and then became a member of St. Richard Catholic Church. Frank owned and operated Quality T.V. and Antenna for many years. Frank enjoyed traveling, coffee clutching with his friends, but more than anything he treasured time spent with his family.

Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen (Robert G.) Riegelman of Racine; his grandchildren, Susan (D. Michael) Wendling, Robert J. (Kathy) Riegelman, all of Racine, Kristina Knesting of Seattle, WA; his four great-grandchildren, Matthew and Benjamin Wendling, Timothy and Samuel Riegelman; brother, Percy Riley of Tucson, AZ; niece and nephew, and many dear friends. In addition to his parents and wife he was preceded in death by his daughter, Michleen “Mickey” Knesting on September 26, 2008; and by his brothers, Willis Riley and Eugene “Sam” Riley.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Richard Catholic Church, 1503 Grand Ave., on Tuesday, November 25, 2008, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Ron Gramza officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until time of Mass. Memorials to St. Richard Catholic Church or to St. Catherine’s High School have been suggested.

He was a wonderful father and will be deeply missed.

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

Kaiser Kasabian

Kaiser Kasabian, age 80, passed away Wednesday, November 19, 2008, at his residence. Kaiser was born in Racine on October 18, 1928, son of the late Hyrabed and Elisa (Nee: Arakian) Kasabian and was a lifelong Racine resident.

Kaiser was a graduate of William Horlick High School “Class of 1947.” On June 10, 1952, at Zion Lutheran Church, he was united in marriage to Ardys L. Olson. During the Korean War he served in the United States Navy. He was employed by Precise Products and then by J.I. Case Company for thirty-two years, retiring in 1991. Kaiser was a member of the J.I. Case “20 Year Club,” and a lifetime member of the Racine Yacht Club. He loved sailing and actively sailed his star boat in the Wednesday night fleet races. Above all he treasured time spent with his family and will always be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He will be deeply missed.

Survivors include his wife, Ardys; his four children, Curtis (Marcy) Kasabian, Susan Kasabian, all of Racine, Kari Lee (Daniel) Rasmussen of Nisula, MI, and Ben (Jackie) Kasabian of Racine; his ten grandchildren, Kim (Eric) Haigh, Dan (Corey) Kasabian, Season (Jason) Hofner, Ty (Julie) Ewing, Kelly (Keith) Danielski, Brian Sullivan, Michael Rasmussen, Haley (Greg) Tarnowski, Ben Kasabian Jr. and Nathan Kasabian; 13 great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Wallace E. Olson and William Hawkins, both of Racine; nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his grandson, Timothy Sullivan; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ben and Evelyn Olson; brother, Jack Kasabian; and sister, Lucy Hawkins; and also by other relatives and many dear friends.

Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Monday, November 24, 2008, at 11 a.m. Interment with full military honors will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until time of service. Memorials to one’s favorite charity have been suggested.

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