Marian L. (Baumgardt) Beres

Marian L. Beres, age 95, passed away Sunday, June 5, 2011, at Lincoln Village Convalescent Center. Marian was born in Racine, June 8, 1915, daughter of the late Gustav and Mary (Nee: Stratman) Baumgardt.

On May 4, 1940, she was united in marriage to John C. Beres who preceded her in death in 1998. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and also very involved with Christian Mothers. In her younger years Marian was employed at Zahn’s Department Store. She was also a scout leader for many years and enjoyed time with various card clubs. More than anything she loved being a mom raising her family. She will be deeply missed.

Survivors include her children, Judy (Don) Ruelle of Bryan, OH, Michael Beres (Barbara Burks) of Racine, Lynn (Jim) Abler of Racine, Dave (Lila) Beres of Coon Rapids, MN; her nine grandchildren, Russ (Susan) Ruelle of Kohler, WI, Ron (Belinda) Ruelle of Boulder, CO, Renee (John) Gordon of Birmingham, AL, Scott Mueller (Kelly) of Minneapolis, MN, Laura Bristle (Andy) of Montvideo, MN, Colleen (Jeff) Gonsiorek of Madison, WI, Rich (Shannon) Ruelle of Orange, CA, Mark Mueller (fiancee, Jenn Cote) of Brooklyn, NY, Tony Beres of Minneapolis, MN; seven great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends; special friends and former neighbors, Karen and Ted Nelson and family and Jan Schmitz. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Darlene Beres; son-in-law, Charlie Mueller; infant brothers, William and Edward; brother, Richard (Blanche) (Val) Baumgardt; sister, Alma (Lawrence) Hesse and great-granddaughter, Emily Ruelle.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, June 10, 2011, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1533 Erie St. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Thursday at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. and at church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Joseph Catholic Church or to Lincoln Village Activity Fund have been suggested.

A very special thank you to the entire staff at Lincoln Village, in particular, nurse Becky, and the activities department for their loving and compassionate care shown to Marian.

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

Jeanette Hoppe

Mrs. Jeanette Hoppe, 96, passed away at Ridgewood Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center on June 4, 2011.

Jeanette was born in Buffalo Springs, ND, to the late John and Marie (nee: Martinsen) Dahl on September 8, 1914. She lived most of her life in Racine. In Racine, she was united in marriage to Adolph Hoppe on September 7, 1935.

Jeanette was a faithful member of Peace Lutheran church. She was an avid knitter and loved to teach both knitting and crochet. Most of all she was a very thoughtful person. She put others' needs before hers and was always there for her family.

Jeanette is survived by one son, Dennis Hoppe; a very close niece, Karen (Guy) Wells; and other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Adolph; two brothers; five sisters; and a daughter-in-law, Ruth Hoppe.

Funeral services will be held at the Wilson Funeral Home on Sunday, June 12, 2011, at 5 p.m. with Rev. Cashius Myers officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family from 2:30 p.m. until the time of service. Interment will be held at West Lawn Memorial Park on Monday morning, June 13, 2011, at 10 a.m. Please meet at the entrance of the cemetery on 90th Street for procession to the gravesite. Memorials may be directed to Peace Lutheran Church.

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

Beatrice 'Bea' E. (Warren) Mahaffy

Beatrice E. Mahaffy, “Bea,” age 86, passed away Friday, June 3, 2011, at her residence. She was born in Hurley, WI, on July 20, 1924, daughter of the late Harold and Jennie (Nee: Nygaard) Warren.

At the age of 17 Bea moved to Racine. She worked at Young Radiator where she met Kenneth C. Mahaffy and on August 2, 1947, they were married at Plymouth Congregational Church. After raising her family, Bea worked at Meadowbrook Country Club as a waitress for a number of years. She was an active member of Plymouth Congregational Church and a member of the United Commercial Travelers. Bea treasured time spent with her lady friends in various bridge clubs, as well as the wonderful friendships she made over the years meeting for breakfast at Douglas Diner, Friday lunches, and evenings at McDonald’s. Bea was a devoted mother and grandmother and will be dearly missed.

Surviving are her daughter, Nancy (Richard) Kinkade; grandchildren, Kyle and Kristin, all of Racine; sisters-in-law, Peg Warren of Atlanta, GA, Marion Mahaffy of Kenosha; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband; her daughter, Kathleen Mahaffy; a sister, Gladys Banfield; and two brothers, Robert and Scott Warren.

Funeral services will be held Friday, June 10, 2011, at 11 a.m. at Plymouth Congregational Church, 1143 College Ave., with Reverend Glenn Lawson officiating. Interment will be held at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends may meet Thursday at the funeral home from 5-7 p.m. and Friday at the church from 10:30 a.m. until time of service. Memorials to Plymouth Congregational Church have been suggested.

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

John A. Brown

John Albert Brown, 56, passed away Friday, June 3, 2011, at Wheaton-Franciscan All-Saints Medical Center after courageously battling lung cancer.  John was born in Saginaw, Michigan, on July 3, 1954, to the late Albert and Virginia (nee: Abernathy) Brown.

John attended J.I. Case High School.  John struggled with mental illness most of his life, yet he never failed to share a word of encouragement and gratitude for his friends and caregivers.  John loved the outdoors, especially fishing and gardening.  He was always planning for next years’ garden.  John loved to shop and pick out bargains at the thrift stores which he would invariably give away to his friends.  John never passed up the chance to go out to eat, especially for chicken with his friend and guardian, Gerald Anderson.  

John is survived by his many aunts, uncles and cousins whom he spoke of fondly, and by his extended family at Prospect Heights Community Living Center where he will be sadly missed.  John was especially proud of the time he served on the resident consumer council of Prospect Heights Community Living Center and for his membership at the Racine Friendship Clubhouse. 

A Memorial Service celebrating John’s life will be held at Prospect Heights Community Living Center on Friday June 17, 2011, at 11 a.m. with Deacon Howard Wirtz officiating.  Private interment will take place at a later date.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Prospect Heights resident activity fund, 2015 Prospect St., Racine, WI 53404 or the Racine Friendship Clubhouse, 2000 – 17th St., Racine, WI 53404.

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

Erika (Goering) Hauser

Erika Hauser, age 85, passed away Thursday, June 2, 2011, at Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints Medical Center. Erika was born in Altalexandrovka, Ukraine, a German community, on June 29, 1925, daughter of the late Adolf and Olga (Nee: Holz) Goering.

After World War II in 1948, Erika moved to Stuttgart, Germany, and it was there she met the love of her life, Kurt K. Hauser. On May 14, 1955, they were united in marriage in Spaichingen, Germany, and then immigrated to the United States to Racine in 1960. An excellent cook, Erika also enjoyed many travels around the world with her family, especially back to the old country to spend time with family. She will be deeply missed for her loving and strong devotion to her family and the special pride given to her grandchildren, who lovingly referred to her as “Oma.”

Survivors include her loving husband of fifty-six years, Kurt; her children, Karin (Dan) Helbling of Yorkville, Evelyn (Steve) Smetana of Racine; her five grandchildren, Daniel, Natasha and Emily Helbling, Mitchell and Erika Smetana; sisters and brother, Hilda Lippold of Racine, Erwin (Hella) Goering of Waterford, Herta Kaiser, Lilli (Walter) Braendle, all of Germany; brother-in-law, Arthur Hauser of Germany; sisters-in-law, Emma Wolf of Germany, Leni Hauser of Germany; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her son, Reinhold Hauser, September 2, 1986.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, June 5, 2011, at 4 p.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Mark Danzig officiating. Private interment will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Sunday at the funeral home from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. Memorials to the ECO Justice Center have been suggested by the family.

Erika’s family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to Dr. Mark DeCheck, Dr. Michael Mullane, Dr. Laura Ulmers, Lake Shore Manor and staff, and Wheaton Franciscan Cardiac Unit for their loving and compassionate care.

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

Northern Peppers Jr.

Northern Peppers, Jr., beloved father and husband, was born June 29, 1932, in Holmes County, MS, to the late Northern and Geneva Peppers, Sr. He made his transition to eternal life on June 1, 2011.

Northern was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Zenobia Horton. To that union four children were born: Northern Peppers III, LaVerna J. Peppers, Michael Peppers, Gregory D. Peppers. Northern retired from American Motors/Chrysler Mfg. with more than thirty years of service.

During his high school years Northern excelled in basketball and football and later was well known in the area playing softball and baseball. He played for the Racine Blues semi-pro baseball team. Northern enjoyed watching sports and cooking. He was known for maintaining a beautiful lawn and yard! He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his loving wife, Zenobia; four children, Northern Peppers III of Gardenia, CA, LaVerna Peppers of Racine, Michael (Rosalind) Peppers of Oak Creek, Greg (Cindy) Peppers of Racine; two grandchildren, Gregory D. Peppers, Jr. and Michael D. Peppers, Jr.; three sisters, Magnolia (Howard) Anderson, Henrene Edwards and Mary Carr; three brothers, Frank (Lois Morrisey) Peppers, Larry Peppers, John (Janet) Peppers; special nephew, Gary Garland; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Ruth Holston and Mary Alice Brown; brothers-in-law, T.J. Carr Sr., Frank Edwards, and John Holston Jr.; nephews, Manuel Carr, T.J. Carr, Jr. and Jerome Carr.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 7, 2011, at noon at the New Omega Baptist Church, 5731 Northwestern Ave., with Pastor Fred Richmond officiating. Entombment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Tuesday at the church from 10 a.m. until time of service.

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

Catherine A. (Schoene) Jordan

Catherine Ann (nee: Schoene) Jordan, 87, received her angel wings dying gently and peacefully at her home in Racine on Wednesday morning, June 1, 2011. Catherine was born February 7, 1924, to her parents, Emil and Peggy Schoene. She grew up in Racine and attended St. Rose School and St. Catherine’s High School (class of “1942”). She was an active member of St. Rose Parish, and most recently a member of St. Patrick Parish.

Catherine raised two daughters, Susie and Peggy, and worked hard to support her family. For several years she owned and operated the Villa Petite, a children’s clothing store, and later worked for the Red Cross Drug Store and Herslof Opticians. Her daughters and family, especially the Drummonds, Schoene’s, Jamieson’s, Collins’ and Eugster’s were the joy of her life.

Catherine fell in love and married the late Bruno Jordan of Hartford, Wisconsin, in 1974. She lived happily with Bruno in Hartford until his passing in 2003. Catherine made many new friends in Hartford and the town of Erin as she supported her husband Bruno in his construction business and in his work with the First National Bank of Hartford. After Bruno died, Catherine returned to live in Racine in 2003.

Catherine was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bruno; and her brother, Tom Schoene. She is survived by her sister, Jacqueline (late husband Bill) Drummond; brother, Mick (Eileen) Schoene; sister-in-law and friend, Ruth Schoene; and dear lifelong friend and cousin, Jeannie Driver. She is also survived by her daughters, Susie (Sam) Romano and Peggy (Jack) Jude; as well as step-daughter Gail Jordan of Florida. Catherine loved her grandchildren, Jordan, Tal, Meghan, Caitlin, Michael, Mike, Patrick and Margaret; her 14 great grand-children and numerous nephews and nieces. Catherine would delight in hearing and telling special stories about everyone in the family, especially its youngest members.

Catherine was known by many for her easy manner, her graciousness and kind spirit. She had a unique ability and gift to put strangers at ease with her warm smile and positive words of encouragement.

Relatives and friends may meet with the family on Wednesday, June 8, 2011, from 10:30 a.m. until time of the Memorial Mass at noon at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1100 Erie St. Private interment will be held.

Special thanks to Dr. John Lopez, Dr. Michael Mullane, Dr. Melinda Knight, Catherine’s live-in caregiver Tuul, and Wheaton Franciscan Hospice for their loving and compassionate care.

Catherine will be missed, but she will remain with us in our hearts where she will continue to make us all feel special and important, as only she could do.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Catherine’s High School, St. Patrick’s Church, or John The 23rd Education Center c/o St. Patrick’s are suggested.

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