John R. Fisher

John R. Fisher passed away unexpectedly at his residence on Saturday December 6, 2008.

He was born in Racine, the son of Russell and Doris (nee: Fisher) Fisher. John attended Walden School and completed his education at Gateway Technical College.

He was employed at M&M Roofing, and at DiPasquale Auto Repair for more than 20 years. John found great enjoyment in working on cars, hunting and especially fishing. He was a devoted Chicago Cubs and Green Bay Packer Fan.

John is survived by his mother, Doris of Racine; brother, Joel A. Fisher of Birnamwood; sisters, Janine D. (Gary) DiPasquale of Racine and Jill E. (Robert) Klysen, of Milwaukee; nephew, Jim DiPasquale; and niece, Lisa DiPasquale. He is further survived by other relatives and many dear friends. John was preceded in death by his father, Russell H. Fisher on March 4, 2007.

Funeral services remembering John’s life will be held at Sturino Funeral Home on Friday, December 12, 2008, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Steve Fringer of First Presbyterian Church officiating. There will be a visitation at the funeral home on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until service time.

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

Florence M. Smith

Florence M. Smith, 85, died at Lincoln Village Convalescent Center on Saturday, December 6, 2008.

She was born in Herkimer, NY, on April 1, 1923, the daughter of the late Charles and Flora (nee: Conover) Cross. On June 28, 1941, she married Walter A. Smith. He preceded her in death on August 5, 1991.

Florence enjoyed antiquing, reading and never missed a news broadcast.

Surviving are her children, Gary (Janet) Smith of Wind Point, Deborah (John) Dana of Mt. Pleasant, and Kathleen (David) Draeger of Byron Center, MI; six grandchildren, Megan (Alex) King, Benjamin (Katharine) Smith, Susan (Niel) Thoreson, Lorie (Matthew) Oscarson, Daniel (Jana) Draeger and Robert (Tricia) Draeger; a great-grandson is due to arrive in January; sister, Virginia “Babe” (Ed) Guyer of Elmira, NY; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents and her husband, her sisters and brothers, Hazel, George, Donald, Muriel, Vivian, Maynard, Doris and Kenneth preceded her in death.

Her funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Thursday, December 11, 2008, at 2 p.m. with Rev. John Fleming officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service. Entombment will follow in West Lawn Memorial Park. The family has suggested memorials to the American Parkinson Association.

The family would like to thank the staff at Lincoln Village Convalescent Center for the love, care and compassion shown Florence and her family.

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

Mark A. Bengston

Muskego, WI - Mark A. Bengston, 54, passed away at Waukesha Memorial Hospital on Friday, December 5, 2008.

Mark was born in Racine on May 13, 1954, the son of Clifford and Doris (nee: Fedder) Bengston. On November 22, 1985, he married the former Theresa A. Maier in Milwaukee.

Mark worked over 20 years for Citation Corporation (formerly Custom Products). He enjoyed fishing, smoking his fish and grilling out. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved traveling, camping, fishing and truly appreciated the wonders of nature.

Mark is described by family and friends as gentle, caring, loyal and selfless, never complaining nor dwelling on himself. He genuinely loved being with his family.

Surviving are his wife, Theresa of Muskego; mother, Doris Bengston of Racine; sister, Marlene (Gary) Skovsted of Boulder, CO; brother, Miles (Mary) Bengston of Racine; brothers-in-law, Thomas Maier of Racine, Greg (Michelle) Maier of Cedar Rapids, IA; sister-in-law, Joann (Gary) Maier of Kaukauna, WI; as well as aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Mark was preceded in death by his father, Clifford Bengston; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Fred and Marguerite Maier.

His celebration of life will be held in the funeral home on Saturday, December 13, 2008, at 3:30 p.m. with Rev. Fid Sailor officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 1:30 p.m. until the time of the service. In honor of Mark’s life, it is requested that family and friends spend time with loved ones enjoying the outdoors, and each other. Additionally, and if so inclined, donations in his name may be directed to Oncology Alliance Fund, 1055 N. Mayfair Rd. #200, Milwaukee, WI 53226.

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

Ruth Ann Back

Mrs. Ruth Ann Back, 92, passed away on Friday evening, Dec. 5, 2008 at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare/All Saints.

She was born in Chicago on Oct. 24, 1916, to the late Hubert and Selma (nee: Holldorf) Eifler. She was united in marriage to Clyde B. Back in Racine, on Aug. 27, 1938; he preceded her in death on March 19, 1988.

She was employed at Central Association and Kurten Medical Group. She was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church. She was an avid bridge player, bowler and member of Maple Grove Homemakers. Most of all she loved her family and grandchildren with their sports and special activities.

She is survived by five children, Karen (Michael) Maren, Tom (Zayda) Back, Judy (Lowell) Tietyen, David (Paula) Back and Rick (Lonnie) Back; twelve grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; one sister, Marie Kanetzke; and sister-in-law, Elaine Eifler. She was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Eifler.

Funeral services will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 3700 Washington Ave., on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, at 11 a.m. with Revs. Randal Poppe and Thomas Chryst officiating. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet at the church on Wednesday from 9 a.m. until the time of service.

Memorials in memory of Mrs. Back to Grace Lutheran Church have been suggested.

Wilson Funeral Home
1212 Lathrop Ave., Racine (262) 634-3361

William Donald Brice

William “Bill” Donald Brice, 92, passed away unexpectedly on Friday December 5, 2008, at St. Monica’s Senior Citizens Home.

He was born in Raymond Center on March 5, 1916, the son of Sherman and Matilda (nee: Christensen) Brice. Bill was united in marriage to Dawn Ellen Schuette in Racine at Holy Communion Lutheran Church in 1940.

He was employed at Racine Unified School System with various grade schools throughout his teaching career, retiring after 40 years of dedicated service. Bill, along with his wife Dawn, raised and showed Cocker Spaniels for many years and was actively involved in both the American Spaniel Club and Fancier’s Cocker Spaniel Club of Southern Wisconsin, where he formerly held the title of president.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Dawna (Robert) Newby of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Paul and Dorothy Schuette, along with devoted friends Char and Bob Rowland. He is further survived by other relatives and many dear friends. Bill lived a long and happy life and will be in our hearts forever.

Funeral services celebrating Bill’s life will be held at St. Monica’s Senior Citizens Home Chapel, 3920 N. Green Bay Road, on Thursday, December 11, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. James Peters from Emmanuel Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be held at Graceland Cemetery following services. There will be a visitation at St. Monica’s on Thursday from 12:30 p.m. until service time. In lieu of flowers, memorials to one’s favorite charity have been suggested by the Brice family.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to all of the compassionate and caring staff at St. Monica’s Senior Citizens Home.

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

Ethel B. Jensen

Ethel B. (nee: Bunck) Jensen, 92, passed away on Thursday, December 4, 2008, at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare – All Saints.

She was born in Racine on January 5, 1916, the daughter of Peder and Sophie (nee: Sorensen) Bunck. Ethel was a 1934 graduate of Park High School, and was united in marriage to Russell Jensen on February 19, 1938.

Ethel had been employed with Racine Unified School District for many years, retiring in 1976, relocating with her husband Russell to Sun Lakes, Arizona, in January of 1977 and returning to Racine in July of 2006. Ethel was very active in the Danish Sisterhood and the Order of Eastern Star, prior to her retirement. She was an avid card player, including bridge, poker and Schafskopf. Among her many interests were golf, cooking and her many volunteer activities.

Ethel is survived by her son, John (Margie) Jensen of Racine; and daughter, Marylou (Steven) Geib of Oak Creek; four grandchildren, Rachel, Tracy, Laura and Peter; four great-grandchildren, Ashlie, Sydney, Zackary and Owen. She is further survived by nephews, other relatives and dear friends in Racine and Sun Lakes, Arizona.

Ethel was preceded in death by her husband, Russell, on November 1, 1983; and by her brother and sister-in-law, Paul (Ottelia) Bunck.

Memorial services will be held at Sturino Funeral Home on Monday, December 8, 2008, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Walter Hermanns officiating. There will be a visitation at the funeral home on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until time of service. In keeping with Ethel’s wishes, her ashes will be placed next to her husband at West Lawn Memorial Park with private burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Lincoln Village Convalescent Center would be appreciated.

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

Alan G. Gano

Alan G. Gano, age 49, passed away on Thursday, December 4, 2008, at Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints Medical Center surrounded by the love of his family. Alan was born in Manchester, North Carolina, on September 7, 1959, son of the late Duane E. and Zara (Nee: DelSavio) Gano.

Alan was a graduate of Chapman High School and, furthering his education, he graduated from Kansas State University. He served with the United States Marine Corps from 1977-1985. Alan was employed as a mechanic at various airports in Kansas. He will be sadly missed.

Survivors include his three children, Christina Gano (fiancé, Antonio Ontiveros), Anthony (Elisa) Gano, William (Amanda) Gano, all of Racine; his seven grandchildren, Emily Elizabeth, Sabrina, Antonio Jr., Alexandra, Anthony Jr., Nina and Donavin; mother of his children, Jody Gano-Haas of Racine; brother, Larry (Susan) Gano of California, MO; sister, Susana (Dee) Gano-Morton of Abilene, Kansas; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.

Private services were held.

Alan’s family wishes to extend a special thank you to his caregivers at Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints Medical Center for the loving and compassionate care.

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