Elizabeth 'Betty' Wishau Larsen

Elizabeth “Betty” Wishau Larsen, 85, passed away on Thursday, March 7, 2013, at WFH-All Saints.  Betty was born in Racine on December 2, 1927, to the late Arkley “Bud” and Esther (nee:  Kasper) Wishau.

Betty married Emil J. “Amos” Larsen on March 8, 1947.  They raised their family in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and Kansas, where he worked at YMCAs and Betty had secretarial/accounting jobs before retiring to Racine.

An active member of DAR, PEO, church circle and several card groups, Betty also enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening.  Everyone loved her famous turkey dinner and chocolate chip cookies.  Her kind and gentle manner, and her love of family and faith serve as goals we should all aspire to.

Betty is survived by her sisters, Elaine Wishau and Hazel Franseen; brothers, John, David and Bill Wishau; daughter, Patti Knight; grandsons, Scott and Nick Larsen; granddaughter, Meghan Pommer; and great-grandchildren, Evan and Annabeth Larsen.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Amos Larsen; son, Tom Larsen; brother, Arkley “Bud” Wishau, Jr.; and granddaughter, Amanda Larsen.

A “Celebration of Betty’s life” service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 11, at Christ Church United Methodist with Pastor Mark Swanson officiating.  Visitation will be held at the church Monday from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the “Betty Larsen Pew Cushion Fund” at Christ Church United Methodist Church.

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

Albert H. Strohm

Albert H. Strohm passed away March 4, 2013, at the age of 101. Albert was born October 2, 1911, in Burlington, WI, to Henry and Caroline (Wedig) Strohm.

He attended St. John's Lutheran Church and School and graduated from Burlington High School in 1929. He lived and worked in the Burlington and Rochester area until 1936 when he moved to Racine, working for Massey-Ferguson Co., Dumore Co. and George Gorton Machine Co. for 34 years. He retired from Rexnord Co. as a tool and die maker in 1977.

Al was married to Ruffina Recknagel in 1952 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Racine.

He is survived by one daughter, Barbara (Richard) Martin; six grandchildren, Scott Bankenbush, Jeff (Theresa) Bankenbush, Kris (Mike Manthey) Bankenbush, Sandy Peters, Kent (Kathy Hiller) Martin, Diane (Donald) Gall; eight great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, Jo Ann (Jesus) Vasquez, Michael (Mary) Massey; one step-great-grandson; a nephew, Philip (Joyce) Strohm; and a niece, Carolyn (Jim) McClain.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruffina in 2007; his parents; a daughter and son-in-law, Marjorie (Franklyn) Bankenbush; a step-daughter and step-son-in-law, Lois (E. Joe) Massey; four brothers and sisters-in-law, Leonard (Anna), Arthur, Henry (Eleanora), Herbert (Marge); two sisters and brother-in-law, Mabel (Ernest) Zabler, Helen Strohm; and a niece, Carol Strohm.

Al enjoyed playing golf, walking, playing cards and yard work. He has been a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Racine Retirees Golf League and also Local 437 Retirees Club for many years.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 9, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at Maersh-Meredith & Acklam Funeral Home, 803 Main St., Racine. Pastor John Roekle of First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Racine, will officiate. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be Saturday, March 9, 2013, from 9:30 a.m. until time of service. Memorials to First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Racine have been suggested.

The family commends the Wheaton Franciscan Hospital medical staff for the compassionate care provided to Albert; with special thanks to Hospice Nurse Krissy. As Grandpa's amazing earthly life ends, we know that God will embrace him tightly and welcome him to his eternal home in heaven. 

Psalm 73:26: My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

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

Carol Ann (Bonini) Neufeld

Carol A. Neufeld, age 74, passed away at Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints Medical Center on Monday, March 4, 2013.  Carol was born in Racine on September 6, 1938, daughter of the late Ernest and Emma (nee: Lucareli) Bonini.

Carol graduated from Holy Trinity grade school and St. Catherine’s High School, “Class of 1956." On May 9, 1959, Carol was united in marriage to the love of her life, John F. Neufeld, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Through the years, she was employed with Kohl’s Food Store, Lathrop Furniture and was last working at Guy Lloyd Realty and Insurance before retiring.  She was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church and member and past president of the Racine Insurance Women. She enjoyed knitting and quilting and generously gave many of her creations to the Women’s Resource Center and HALO.  Above all, her greatest love and devotions were for her family, especially her grandchildren. Carol will be dearly missed.

Survivors include her loving husband of fifty-three years, John; children, Lisa M. Bixler, Lori A. (Matthew) Fritz, all of Racine, John B. Neufeld of Mason City, IA; grandchildren, Amy Bixler, Jessica Fritz, Emma (James) Cornelius; first great-grandchild due in July; brother, Gerald (Carol) Bonini of Kenosha; sister, Theresa (Donald) Carey of Tulsa, OK; sister-in-law, Gloria Kowbel of Racine;  nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  In addition to her parents, Carol was also preceded in death by her grandson, PFC Evan A. Bixler, KIA in Hit, Iraq; and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Emil and Esther Neufeld.

Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Monday March 11, 2013, at 10:30 a.m., with Rev. Terrance J. Huebner officiating. Interment will follow at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Town of Dover.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Sunday from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. and on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at 10:30 a.m.  Memorials to Wheaton Franciscan Hospice have been suggested.

The family extends a special thank you to Dr. Steven Johnson, Dr. Kristine Dziurzynski, their respective staffs and to the staffs in the ICU and CV2 for all of their loving and compassionate care.

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

Lois J. Ludwig

Lois J. Ludwig, age 90, passed away Monday, March 4, 2013, at Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints Medical Center.  Lois was born in Racine on November 9, 1922, daughter of the late Otto A. and Agnes K. (Nee:  Miller) Ludwig Sr.

She was a lifelong member of St. Richard Catholic Church, formerly, Holy Name Catholic Church, where she was very active, belonging to Apostolate of Suffering, Society of the Little Flower and  Holy Name Altar Society.  She also was a member of St. Edwards Harmony Club, St. Mary’s Auxiliary and St. Luke’s Auxiliary and St. Luke’s Hospital “Off the Rocker Club.” In her last years at Lincoln Lutheran Home she kept very busy with all activities such as bingo, making jewelry or playing in the bell choir or the horse races. Lois was always very social and enjoyed visiting with her many friends.  She will be sadly missed.

Lois is survived by her adopted family, Shirley (Rodger) Klamm Sr., Daryl (Connie) Klamm, Rodger Klamm Jr., Kory (Kelly) Klamm, Tami (Aaron) Rich, Sherilyn Klamm.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Otto Ludwig Jr., in 1965.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, March 9, 2013, at 10 a.m. at St. Richard Catholic Church, 1503 Grand Ave., with Rev Ronald J. Gramza officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy. 32.  Visitation will be held on Saturday at 9 a.m. until time of Mass at the church.

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

Louise 'Sliv' (Gifford) Kasen

Louise “Sliv” M. Kasen (nee Gifford), age 91, died Sunday, March 3, at home after being diagnosed with Leukemia in December. Born Sept. 25, 1921, in Racine, she was the daughter of the late Joseph M. and Kate Jensen Gifford.

A lifelong artist, she helped family and friends discover the beauty in life and led the way with much laughter and love. She attended the Layton School of Art and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

She was preceded in death in 1993 by her husband, Daniel R. Kasen, whom she married August 1, 1942.  For many years she was the head chef at the Racine Labor Center before her retirement.

She is survived by a daughter, Leslie L. (James) Redford of Wauwatosa, WI; four sons, Gifford A. (Jeanne) of West Allis, WI, Daniel S. (Judy) of Chicago, Thomas J. (Jane Fowler) of Shorewood, WI, and Timothy R. of Munich, Germany. A son, Terrance W., died in 1982; and her brother, Bill Gifford, died in 1943. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren: Gifford, Jesse and Daniel Kasen; Katharine and Timothy Redford; Elizabeth Heggen; Sherry Orchel and Jody Orchel; Lisa Thiel; and Donna Brucker; and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Friends may gather with the family at her home on Saturday, April 13, at 1 p.m. The family suggests memorials be made to a favorite charity.

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

Theodora 'Dorie' M. (Kroes) Madala

Surrounded by her loving family, Theodora “Dorie” M. Madala, age 89, passed away Saturday, March 2, 2013, at Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints Medical Center.  Dorie was born in Wausaukee, WI, on July 25, 1923, daughter of the late George and Josephine (Nee:  Bergavoert) Kroes.

On June 25, 1949, at St. Rita Catholic Church she was united in marriage to John A. Madala, who preceded her in death on April 3, 1983.  In her younger years she was employed by Western Publishing for nine years, last working June 7, 1949.  Dorie was a lifelong and active member of St. Rita Catholic Church and belonged to Christian Mothers and the Third Order of St. Augustine.  She was also a member of Siena Center Auxiliary, St. Monica’s Auxiliary, affiliate of the Augustine Order, and member of The Blue Army of Our Lady.  Dorie will be fondly remembered as a grand lady with a strong devotion to her faith, wonderful witty sense of humor, and a huge heart who loved all.  Most of all, she cherished time with her family, grandchildren, and many close friends.  She will be dearly missed.

Survivors include her children, Sandy Nielsen (Dan) Hoaglund, Bill Madala (Julie Palm), Tom (Val) Madala, Greg  (Denise) Madala, Tom Hernke “half dala,” all of Racine; her eight grandchildren, Kris (Ernie) Harmsen, Cory (Jennifer) Nielsen, Jerod Madala, Ashley Madala, Leeza Madala, Natalie Madala, Britani (Sam) D’Alie, Rachele (Edward) Perez; six great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Ted (Lorrie) Kroes, Paul Kroes, Mary Zerzanek, Josephine Polcin; sisters-in-law, Pat Kroes, Elaine Kroes; many nieces, nephews, special friend, Maureen Pestka; and many dear friends.  In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Richard; son-in-law, Lee Nielsen; brothers, Hank, Bert, John (Pat), George (Rose); sister-in-law, Louise Kroes; brothers-in-law, Rudolph Zerzanek and John Polcin.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, March 7, 2013, at 6 p.m. at St. Rita Catholic Church, 4339 Douglas Ave., with Rev. Kevin Mullins O.S.A. officiating, assisted by Deacon Russell Missureli.  Private entombment will be held at Holy Cross Garden Mausoleum, Hwy 32.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family Thursday at church from 4 p.m. until 5:45 p.m. with a Rosary recited at 5:45 p.m.  Memorials to St. Rita Catholic Church or to St. Monica’s Rosary Walkway have been suggested.

A very special thank you to the doctors and nurses at Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints ICU for their loving and compassionate care.

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

Lillian F. (Simanek) Slaasted

Lillian F. Slaasted, age 90, passed away Saturday, March 2, 2013, at Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints Medical Center. Lillian was born in Racine on February 18, 1923, daughter of the late Joseph and Frances (Nee: Trochta) Simanek.

On April 15, 1944, at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church she was united in marriage to Ralph S. Slaasted, who preceded her in death on  May 17, 1999. Lillian was an active and longtime member of St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church where she belonged to the Christian Mothers and Catholic Sokol. Always involved with her children and the community, Lillian enjoyed her time as a scout leader, and helping feed the needy. Lillian was also an avid bowler. She will be best remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother and will be dearly missed.

Survivors include her five children, Frances (John) Harris of Waupaca, Ralph (Melody) Slaasted, Kathy (Bill) Sustachek, all of Racine, Thomas (Patti) Slaasted of Kenosha, Robert (Mary) Slaasted of Racine; 31 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Sister Mary Alice Simanek, Sister Frances Simanek, both of Milwaukee, Marjorie (Bob) Wood of TX, Mary Jane Baumgardt, JoAnne (Claude) Wells, all of Racine; brothers, Wencil (Helen) Simanek, Jerome (Pat) Simanek, all of Racine, Paul Smaglick of Sturtevant; sisters-in-law, Lucille Simanek of Green Bay, Ruth Simanek of Emmett, CA, Bernice Slaasted of Racine; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Pamela Balchitis; brothers, Leo Simanek, Joseph (Chris) Simanek, Larry (Adeline) Simanek, Richard Simanek.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, March 7, 2013, at 11 a.m. at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church, 1903 Green St., with Rev. Don Zerkel officiating. Interment will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery, Kinzie Avenue. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Wednesday at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and Thursday at the church from 10 a.m. until time of Mass at 11 a.m.

A special thank you first and foremost to Sister Mary Alice, Sister Frances, Aunt Mary Jane, and to the staff at Ridgewood Care Center, and special caregivers, Pat, Maria, Patty, Aris and Melo for all of their loving and compassionate care.

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