Betty M. (Musurlian) Chiappetta

Betty Mary Chiappetta, age 81, passed away Wednesday, August 8, 2012, at Hospitality Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Kenosha.  She was born in Racine, July 19, 1931, daughter of the late Sam and Rose Musurlian.

Betty dedicated her life to her family and cherished the time they spent together.  She will be dearly missed.

Surviving are her children, Frank (Ayce) Chiappetta of Germantown, Cheryl Schroder of Trevor; grandchildren, Sean Chiappetta, Zachary and Heather Schroder;  brother, Dennis Musurlian of Racine; sister-in-law, Gloria Chiappetta of Sturtevant;  nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Frank J. Chiappetta; a sister, Ginger Anzalone; and a brother Nick Musurlian.

A Memorial service will be held at the funeral home on Sunday, August 12, 2012, at 3 p.m. with Chaplain Carol Baumgartner officiating.  Relatives and friends may meet Sunday from 1 p.m. until time of service.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the caregivers at Hospitality Manor for their care and compassion.

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

Hertha P. (Helmle) Petersen

Hertha P. Petersen, age 86, passed away peacefully Wednesday, August 8, 2012, at her residence.  She was born in Pulcifer, WI, on January 5, 1926, daughter of the late John and Emma (nee: Niermann) Helmle.

Hertha graduated from Bellin Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1947.  On August 25, 1951, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Pulcifer, WI, she was united in marriage to Robert L. Petersen, who preceded her in death September 1, 2011.  She was a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ladies Aide, Sewing Circle and Mary Mission Circle.  Hertha enjoyed needlework and spending time at the family farm in Pulcifer.  Above all, she enjoyed time spent with her family and friends. She will be dearly missed.

Survivors include her children, Gary Petersen of Milwaukee, Susan Petersen of Wausau, Ruthann (Terry) Liegler of Oak Creek; grandchildren, Heather (Shane) Hupp, Joshua (Tracy) Liegler; great-grandchildren, Chloe, Pierson, Lydia and Maisie; brother, Fred (Joann) Helmle of Little Suamico, WI; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Adele Helmle of Racine, Paul Dittman of Ashwaubenon, Lorraine Petersen of Ashwaubenon, Betty Petersen of Racine, Willard Siewert of Racine;  nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.  In addition to her parents and husband, Hertha was also preceded in death by her sister, Norma Ditttman; and her brother, Carl Helmle.

Funeral services will be held at First Evangelical Church, 728 Villa St., on Monday, August 13, 2012, at 11 a.m., with Reverend Aaron J. Dolan officiating.  Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m.  Memorials to First Evangelical Lutheran Church have been suggested.

The family extends a special thank you to Hertha’s caregivers, especially Oreta, for their love, compassion and support.

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

Virginia E. Leutner

Virginia “Gene” Leutner, age 92, passed away Tuesday, August 7, 2012, at her residence.  She was born in Elgin, IL, on April 9, 1920, to Alvin and Clara Anderson but was a resident of Racine most of her life and was a 1937 graduate of Washington Park High School.  She was united in marriage to Robert Leutner on September 23, 1942.

Gene had been a Girl Scout Troop Leader and also served on the Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of Racine County as training director.  As a volunteer in the Lincoln Lutheran Auxiliary she served as president and then as a member of the Board of Directors of Lincoln Lutheran.  A member of Atonement Lutheran Church, she also served as coordinator of Racine Cluster of Women of ELCA

For more than 70 years Gene has been one of “The Gimpers,” a group of steadfast friends since their teenage years.  An avid bird watcher, she was a member of the earlier Hoy Nature Club

She is survived by her husband, Robert; daughter; and son-law, Carole and Lloyd Novick of Stamford, CT; granddaughter Sara (Neal) Simpson of Cos Cob, CT; and grandson, Ethan Novick of Stamford, CT; great-grandsons, Alex and Liam Simpson.  She is also further survived by nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Mrs. Leutner was preceded in death by her parents; sister,  Dorothy Fox; and brother-in-law, Vernon Fox; brother, Leslie Anderson and sister-in-law Joan Anderson; brother-in-law, William Leutner, Jr and sister-in-law Ellen Leutner.

Funeral services will be held at Atonement Lutheran Church, 2915 Wright Ave., on Monday, August 13, 2012, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Dr. Warren William officiating.  Interment will be held at Graceland Cemetery.  Relatives and friends may meet Monday at the church 10 a.m. until time of service.  Memorials to Atonement Lutheran Church or one’s favorite charity have been suggested.

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

William A. Saunders

With family by his side, William A. Saunders, age 85, passed away at his residence on Monday August 6, 2012. William was born in Minneapolis, MN, on July 14, 1927, son of the late Guy and Frances (nee: Haubrich) Saunders.

He graduated from the University of Minnesota, with a degree in Engineering. On November 27, 1954, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Guttenberg, Iowa, Bill was united in marriage to Joan A. Elsinger, and since shared nearly fifty-eight beautiful years together. Bill was employed as a mechanical engineer with Ecko-ALCOA for a number of years and lastly with Western Publishing until his retirement in 1990.

He kept busy as a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Serra Club, Racine Curling Club, and Racine Boat Builders Club. Very active with construction, Bill volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and was instrumental in the construction of the Kid’s Cove Playground on North Beach. He was an instructor for 55 Alive and was an avid genealogist, model builder and had a great love of traveling. He will be best remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather and will be dearly missed.

Survivors include his wife, Joan; children, Judy (Sam) Pobst of Grand Rapids, MI, David (Cheryl) Saunders of Dallas Center, IA, Karen (Robert) McMaster of Pitman, NJ; eight grandchildren, Jacob, Rebecca and Rachael Pobst, Erin (fiancé, David Scott), Allison and Lisa (fiancé, John Henderson) Saunders, Alex and Kate McMaster; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his brother, James; and additional half-sisters and a half-brother.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1533 Erie St., on Saturday, August 11, 2012, at 11 a.m., with Rev. Steve Varghese officiating. Interment will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Guttenberg, IA, on Sunday, August 12, 2012, at 1 p.m.. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass at 11 a.m. Memorials to St. Joseph Catholic Church or to Habitat for Humanity have been suggested.

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

William E. Harris

William E. Harris, age 81, passed away Monday, August 6, 2012, at his residence. He was born in Long Island, NY, on October 26, 1930, son of the late William and Alfreda (Nee: Haas) Harris.

William attended Cornell University and then served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. On August 26, 1961, he was united in marriage to Josephine A. Pisciotta. Together they raised a family, settling in Lake Forest, IL, where they resided for 30 years before retiring to Racine.

Surviving are his wife, Joy; three children, Anne (Stephen) Blyth of Glen Ellyn, IL, James (Magda) Harris of St. Charles, IL, Michael (Lori) Harris of Petersburg, NY; four grandchildren, William and Kathleen Blyth, Bagner and Daniel Harris; a sister, Kathleen Egly of Gloversville, NY; brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephew, other relatives and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1100 Erie St., on Friday, August 10, 2012, at 11 a.m., with Reverend Antony Thomas officiating. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Thursday at the funeral home from 4-7 p.m. and on Friday at the church from 10:30 a.m. until time of Mass. Memorials to the St. Patrick’s Church Meal Program have been suggested.

A very special thank you to Allay Home Hospice and Bright Star Home Health for their loving and compassionate care. 

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

Christ Nels Johnson

The soul of Christ Nels Johnson, 99, was peacefully released from this earth while he slept, on August 4, 2012.

Nels Christ Johnson (later changed to Christ Nels) was born to Johan Martinus and Hansine Marie (Nee: Nielsen) Johansen on June 1, 1913, at North Cape, Norway Township, Racine County, Wisconsin.

He was baptized on March 23, 1914, and was confirmed at the age of 14 as a member of Our Saviors Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church. In 2008 he became a member of Epiphany Lutheran Church.
During his youth, Christ experienced all of the adventures associated with growing up in the country. He spoke of riding into town in a buggy pulled by Bunny, the family’s horse. During his early years, Christ was educated at the Rapids School.

After losing his father to an accident at the young age of 10, Christ left school and began working on various farms to help support his mother and siblings. It was during this time that he was taken in by his Godparents, the Nyholm family of Mt. Pleasant, with whom he maintained a special relationship the remainder of his life.
Christ married the love of his life, Florence E. Maier, in the St. Patrick’s Church parsonage on May 22, 1937. During their 69 years together the couple were blessed with five children.

Christ worked at many jobs over the years, from driving a coal truck to constructing buildings. His primary employer was the J.I. Case Co., for whom he served as a Millwright for over 35 years, retiring in 1976.
Travel and camping were prominent amongst Christ’s hobbies, which he participated in as a member of the Rolling 8 Balls. He was a longtime member of the Belle City Seniors, where he enjoyed playing cards, especially Sheepshead. He was also member of the J.I. Case 20-year Club, faithfully attending their annual dinners.

Christ was an award-winning gardener, in particular when it came to growing Mums. He was an avid fan of the Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers, and enjoyed bowling in the senior league at Paradise North, hunting, fishing and playing checkers.

Above all else, Christ was the revered patriarch of his family, a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great grandfather.

In addition to many family and friends, Chris was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Florence, with whom he is once again reunited.

Survivors include his son, Lawrence (Helen) Johnson of West Plains, MO; four daughters, Shirley (Elmer) Ricchio of Racine, Joanne (Stephen) Greger of CA, Christine (Rollie) Hamilton of AR, Judith (Steven) Jones of Racine; eleven grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and special friends.

Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Thursday from 5-7 p.m., and at the church on Friday from 9:30-10 a.m. Services, with Pastor Michael Zarling officiating, will take place at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 2921 Olive St., at 10 a.m. Friday. Burial in the Calvary Cemetery Crypts will take place following services.

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

Nancy L. (Fritchen) Morgan

Nancy Lou Morgan, age 81, passed away Friday, August 3, 2012, at Hospice House in Pleasant Prairie.  She was born in Racine, July 14, 1931 daughter of the late Frederic and Lula (Nee: Ulrich) Fritchen.

Nancy graduated from Washington Park High School “Class of 1949.”  On July 14, 1951, at Atonement Lutheran Church she was united in marriage to Robert S. Morgan, who preceded her in death on January 3, 2008.  Nancy was employed as an Executive Secretary for Thiem Corp for 25 years, retiring in 1992.  She was a member of Atonement Lutheran Church and enjoyed music, reading, art, knitting and a game of Bridge.  She will be dearly missed.

Surviving are brothers, Del (Phyllis) Fritchen of Fairhope, AL, and James (Doris) Fritchen of Columbus, WI;  brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Richard (Phyllis) Morgan of Bakersfield, CA, Elizabeth (Gerald) Hanson of Kingston, IL, Eugene (Judy) Morgan of Beach Park, IL; many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.   In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by brother-in-law and sister-in-law John (Millie) Morgan.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 11, 2012, at 10 a.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church, 2915 Wright Ave., with Reverend Dr. Warren Williams officiating.  Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park.  Relatives and friends may meet Friday at the funeral home from 5-7 p.m. and Saturday at the church from 9 a.m. until time of service.  Memorials to Atonement Lutheran Church have been suggested.

The family wishes to extend a special  thank you to special friend and caregiver Ron Eckert.

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