Arthur Robert 'Bob' Buse

Arthur Robert “Bob” Buse, 85, passed away at his residence on Saturday, November 7, 2009. He was born in Racine on December 2, 1923, the son of Theodore “Arthur” and Elizabeth C. (nee: Nelsen) Buse.

Bob was united in marriage to Helen Walters on December 31, 1948, in Racine. He proudly served in the United States Navy during World War II.

Bob was a member of the Masonic Lodge, and was CEO. of Bell City Patterns. He found great enjoyment in gardening and going for drives in the country with his wife, Helen, so they could enjoy their time together.

Bob is survived by two sons, David R. Buse and Daniel R. Buse; grandchildren, Tracy (nee: Buse) Van Koningsveld, Laura Buse, Phillip Buse, Tom Buse, Lisa Buse and Michael Buse. He is further survived by many great-grandchildren; two sisters, Joan Larsen and Bonnie (Jack) Hansen; other relatives and dear friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, on November 13, 1989; one sister, Lucille Shroat; brothers-in-law, Jim Shroat and Dick Larsen.

In keeping with Bob’s wishes, private services have been held at Sturino Funeral Home with burial at West Lawn Memorial Park.

The Buse family would like to extend a very, very special thank you to the most wonderful caregiver and friend anyone could ask for, Betty J. Hansen for 10 years of loving care. Also thanks to niece, Kathy, and his many wonderful neighbors.

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

Bernice M. (Kieliszewski) Kutis

Bernice M. Kutis, age 84, passed away Friday, November 6, 2009, at the Harmony Home. Bernice was born in Stevens Point, March 6, 1925, daughter of the late John and Regina (Nee: Ciplina) Kieliszewski.

On November 22, 1947, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church she was united in marriage to Albin J. Kutis who preceded her in death, May 20, 1988. She was a longtime and devoted member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and St. Cecelia’s Society. She enjoyed her many bus trips to test lady luck. Above all she was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who will be dearly missed.

Survivors include her children, Sandra (Allan) Ticknor of Racine, Susan (Ralph) Bonn of Pleasant Prairie, WI, Sharon Kutis (Kevin Pribyl) of Foster City, CA, Mary Jo (Thomas) Bronenkant of Racine; her grandchildren, Rondi (Lyle) Woodworth, Sarah (Eric) Hornyak, Andrew Ticknor; her great-grandchildren, Jacob and Alec Hornyak, Mallory Woodworth; sister, Grace Baranowski of Racine; brother, Jerry Kieliszewski of Racine; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.

In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by her brothers, Ernie, Jimmy, and Dickie.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, November 11, 2009, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St., with Rev. William J. Dietzler officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Wednesday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass.

The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the staff at Harmony Home and Hospice Alliance for their loving and compassionate care.

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

Melissa A. 'Missy' Decker

Missy Decker (nee: Glenzer), 39, died very unexpectedly of an undetermined cause, at her residence on Friday, November 6, 2009.

She was born in Columbus, OH, on November 19, 1969. Missy graduated from Washington Park High School in 1987. She had been employed by Harley-Davidson for the past 7 years.

A devoted mother, Missy was very active in her children’s lives. She especially enjoyed the time spent with their participation in the Lighthouse Brigade.

She is survived by her children, Andrew Decker of Oak Creek, A.J. Decker and Alissa Decker both of Racine; her parents, Kathie and Roy Glenzer of Racine; step-sisters, Kelly (Bob Mould) Glenzer-Mould of Racine, Kimberly Glenzer of Rochester, New York, Kerry Glenzer of Racine; and her grandmother, Lucille Van Gemert of Racine. Missy is further survived by her former husband, Dan Decker of Racine; and numerous other relatives and friends.

A service celebrating Missy’s life will be held in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 11, 2009, at 7 p.m. There will be a visitation in the funeral home on Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. A burial service will take place at Graceland Cemetery on Thursday morning. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the gate of Graceland at 10 a.m.

Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home
4600 County Line Road, Racine (262) 552-9000

Ruth E. (Morgan) Mahnke

Ruth E. Mahnke, age 88, passed away Friday, November 6, 2009, at her residence. Ruth was born in Berlin, WI, on June 23, 1921, daughter of the late William T. and Mae (Nee: Baily) Morgan.

Ruth was a graduate of Riverside High School in Milwaukee, WI. Furthering her education, she attained her degree in Dental Hygiene from Marquette University and met the love of her life, Eugene J. Mahnke. On May 8, 1943, at Lake Park Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, they were united in marriage. Eugene preceded her in death, October 14, 1995. Ruth was a longtime active member of Atonement Lutheran Church. She was also actively involved with several organizations including, Racine Dental Women’s Auxiliary, served on the Board of Directors at the Taylor Home, Past Honor Queen with the Jobs Daughters, and volunteered with the Racine Zoo and St. Luke’s Hospital for many years. Above all she treasured time spent with family and will be forever remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother who will be deeply missed.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Vaughn (Louann) Mahnke and their children, Morgan and Andrew, all of Laguna Nigel, CA; her daughters, Susan Mahnke of Racine, Jane Ann (David) Clope and their children, Hayley and Matthew, all of Racine, WI; nephews, William (Ingrid) Strochein of Sturgeon Bay, WI, Allen “Butch” (Pat) Mahnke of Clintonville, WI; other relatives and many dear friends and special caregiver Dragana Galabova. In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by her sister, Aletha Strochein.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 14, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church, 2915 Wright Ave., with Rev. Dr. Warren Williams officiating. Private interment will be held at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Saturday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Atonement Lutheran Church, Froedtert Hospital Department for Parkinson’s or to the Racine Zoological Society have been suggested.

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

Debora Ann (Schmidt) Sawisky

Surrounded by her family, Debora Ann Sawisky, age 49, passed away on Friday, November 6, 2009, at her residence following a courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Milwaukee, WI, December 18, 1959, daughter of Arthur and Mary (Nee: Beitz) Schmidt.

Debbie graduated from J.I. Case High School “Class of 1979.” On July 31, 1982, at Grace Church she was united in marriage to Daniel F. Sawisky. Debbie had been employed by the Kenosha Health Dept from 1995 up until her illness in 2007. Previously she had worked at Warren Industries.

Debbie was a member of Grace Church and was active with the church Cancer Support Group and Care Ministries. She enjoyed car rides in the fall up through Door County and Kettle Moraine. She was an outstanding homemaker who loved gardening, cooking and decorating but mainly taking care of her family. Debbie was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and daughter who will be dearly missed.

Surviving are her husband, Daniel; sons, Luke, Jacob (Lisa), and Andrew; her grandson, Grant; parents, Arthur and Mary Schmidt of Oxford, WI; brother and sisters, Kirt (Lauri) Schmidt of Montello, WI, Rebecca (Jeff) Isaacson of Bunlevel, NC, Christie Schmidt of Racine; her grandmother, Margaret Romanak of Oak Creek, WI; mother-in-law, Karlyn (Victor) Morris of Racine; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, David (Pamela) Sawisky of Nedarland, TX, Ruth (Roland) Behr of Racine; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Fred Sawisky.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service Friday, November 13, 2009, at 6 p.m. at Grace Church, 3526 Hwy 31, with Pastor Jim Olson officiating. A reception will follow. Private inurnment will be held at West Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers memorials to Grace Church or the American Cancer Society have been suggested.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. Michael Mullane and Nurses at Oncology Alliance and the staff of Hospice Alliance for their loving and compassionate care.

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

Harvey J. Jenkins

Harvey J. Jenkins, age 82, passed away Friday afternoon November 6, 2009, at Wheaton-Franciscan-All Saints Hospital. Harvey was born in Arena, WI, son of the late LeRoy and Valeria (nee: Slauson) Jenkins.

At the young age of sixteen, Harvey joined the Merchant Marines to help fight for his country during World War II and later proudly served as a Sergeant in the United States Army. On January 7, 1949, Harvey married the love of his life, Martha F. Kummer, at the Little Brown Church in the Vale, Nashua, Iowa. Harvey served as Chairman of Diamond Transportation System, Inc. since the 1960s when he returned to Racine to succeed his father and join his brother Richard “Buck” in the growth of Diamond. Diamond has been a Racine-based pioneer in the hauling of farm machinery since the 1940s and continues as a specialized heavy-haul carrier throughout North America.

He was a supporter and member of the VFW, past Chairman of the Machinery Haulers Association, and member of the First United Methodist Church. Besides his many business associations, Racine will always remember Harvey’s fleet of antique fire trucks which he often proudly displayed in the 4th of July parade. He will be best remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Survivors include his loving wife of sixty years, Martha; children, Thomas (Carmen) Jenkins of Minnetonka, MN, Deborah (Rudolph) Coca of Racine; grandchildren, Mary Jenkins, Lauren Jenkins, Jon (Janna) Coca, Nick (Erika) Coca; great-grandchildren, Shealynn and Kennedy Coca, Nick, Colton and Kylee Coca; brothers, Robert (Mieko)Jenkins of Louisville, KY, Leroy (Suzanne) Jenkins of Racine; sister, Nancy (Daniel) Hershberger of Arlington Heights, IL; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Jeannette Jenkins of Racine, Jake Kummer of Charles City, Iowa, Bill (Kay) Kummer of New Glarus, WI, Jim (Connie) Kummer of Reedsburg, Ruth Meyers of Brodhead, Jeanne (Bruce) Pope of Richland Center; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, Harvey was also preceded in death by his brother, Buck; and his sister, Caroline.

Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, November 10, 2009, at 11 a.m., with Rev. Brad Van Fossen officiating. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services. Memorials to American Diabetes Association and/or the American Heart Association have been suggested.

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

Anna Jensen

New Berlin – Anna Jensen, formerly of Racine, 102, passed away on Wednesday, November 5, 2009.

Anna was born on January 19, 1907, in Holstebro, Denmark. In Racine, she was united in marriage to Einar M. Jensen on June 1, 1930.

She will be sadly missed by her two daughters, Ella (William) Berger of New Berlin and Viola (Donald) Buhler of Yorkville; five grandchildren, Joseph Berger, Diane (William) Dubinski, Michael (Andrea) Buhler, Steven (Debra) Buhler, and Kathleen (Paul) Pedersen; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. She was also preceded in death by her husband, parents, two sisters and five brothers.

Private services will be held at the Wilson Funeral Home with interment at Mound Cemetery.

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