William E. Hansen

William E. Hansen, age 84, passed away after a long illness on July 4, 2013.  William was born in Racine on April 23, 1929, son of the late Henry and Emma (nee: Sorensen) Hansen.

On September 18, 1948, Bill married the love of his life, Pearl L. Hyde, at Bethel Methodist Church in Racine.  After thirty five years at TC Esser of Racine, he worked at various glass companies in Milwaukee until his retirement in 1994.  He was also a lifetime member of the Glaziers Union #1204. In his spare time, Bill enjoyed his weekly Sunday visits with his friends at the 7 Mile Fair. He  was a diehard Packers fan and enjoyed NASCAR. He also had an extensive collection of woodworking planes and antique glass cutters.  He will be best remembered as a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather.

Survivors include his loving wife, Pearl, of nearly sixty-five years; sons, William Hansen Jr., both of Racine, Greg (Sandra) Hansen of Osceola; three grandchildren, Alana, Brianna and Zachary Hansen; other relatives and friends.  He was also preceded in death by his brother, Richard.

Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Sunday from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m.  Private services and interment will be held at West Lawn Memorial Park.

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

Betty J. (Johnson) Oesau

Betty Jean Oesau, age 82. passed away on Thursday, July 4, 2013, at Hospice House, Pleasant Prairie.  She was born in Racine on April 2, 1931, daughter of the late Christian and Elsie (Nee: Sorensen) Johnson.

On June 24, 1958, she was united in marriage to Orvin J. Oesau.   Betty was a 30-year member and former president of the Sweet Adelines.  She was a member of TOPS for 20 years and the Red Hats for 8 years.  She enjoyed traveling and taking cruises.  Her favorite destination was Alaska, to which she made over 20 trips.  She was an avid sports fan with Joe Montana, Brett Favre and Shaq being among her favorites over the years.  Betty also enjoyed playing schafskopf and stirring the political pot.  More than anything, it was time spent with her family that she treasured the most.  She will be dearly missed.

Surviving are her husband of 55 years, Orvin; four children, Victor (Debra) Oesau, Kathleen (Bob) Allen, Heidi (Bernie) Poulsen, Suzanne Oesau (Lori Mehleis); grandchildren, Genevieve Oesau, Jacob (Lori) Oesau, Pollyanna (Adam) Skalecki, Hannah Allen (Tylor Frievalt), Nina Moralez, Ryan (Catherine) Poulsen; great-grandchildren, Ciayra Ray, Renee, Jacob Jr. and Lilly Oesau, Ryder and Reece Skalecki; brothers, Glenn Johnson, Dale (Sue) Johnson; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Helen Borchardt, Kathleen (George) Petrusich, Irma (Bob) Clope, Ellen (Larry) Brandt, Don Browers; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, special friends, Linda, Jean and Marian; and other dear friends.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her great-grandson, Lamont Mykle Langford; and a brother, Jack Johnson.

Funeral services will be held  at the funeral home Monday, July 8, 2013, at 7 p.m. with Reverend Richard Molter officiating.  Private interment will be held at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet with the family on Monday from 5 p.m. until time of service at 7 p.m.  Memorials to Hospice Alliance have been suggested.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. Panchal, Dr. Mullane and the Staff of Hospice Alliance for their loving and compassionate care.

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

Duka Djurovic

Duka Djurovic passed away peacefully at home on July 4, 2013, surrounded by the love of his family. Duka was born on March 15, 1925, in Danilovgrad, Montenegro, Yugoslavia; the son of the late Petar and Anica (nee: Mitrovic) Djurovic.

As a very young man during World War II in Europe, Duka fought bravely against Communism and Nazism. At the end of World War II, Duka lived and attended school in Italy for six years. Duka was fluent in Serbian, English, Italian and French.

In 1951, Duka immigrated to the United States, living and working in Chicago for two years; then moving to Racine, which became his home for the next 60 years. On August 29, 1959, he was united in marriage to Desanka Duvnjak at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Racine. Next month, Duka and Desanka would have celebrated 54 years of marriage.

Upon first coming to America, Duka worked at Zenith Corporation in Chicago. After moving to Racine, he began his career with Racine Steel Castings, where he was employed as a Supervisor for more than 36 years. Following his retirement from Racine Steel Castings, he worked part-time for R & B Grinding Co.

 Duka was an active member of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church. Duka enjoyed gardening, the outdoors, and above all spending time with his family. His family was the most important thing in his life. Duka greatly loved the United States and was so proud of this country. He was such a kind, patient, optimistic man. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who will be deeply missed.

Duka leaves behind to cherish his precious memory his loving and devoted wife of 54 years, Desanka; loving daughters, Zora (Dr. Alan) Gilman of Lincolnwood, IL; Dragica Djurovic (Bill McReynolds) of Racine, two precious grandchildren, Sarah Gilman and Adam Gilman of Lincolnwood, IL. Duka is also survived by one sister, Bozana Zivkovic, of Yugoslavia; numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends throughout the United States, Yugoslavia and Sweden. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and two sisters. 

Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening, July 9, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. The funeral will take place on Wednesday, July 10, at 10 a.m. at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, 826 State St., Racine, with Father Dragan Mitrovic officiating. Burial will take place at the Most Holy Mother of God (New Gracanica) Monastary Cemetery in Third Lake, IL. Memorials may be directed to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization or to the American Heart Association.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Wheaton Franciscan Home Hospice Care, especially to Tamara, Isaac, Andrea and Jill for their loving and compassionate care of Duka during the past four months.

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

Pablo Salinas

How do you measure the worth of a man? Is it through the size of his house, his family, legacy, heart or the void that is left when he’s gone?

Pablo Salinas was a man whose worth may never be measurable. The void he left can only be filled by the memory his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren keep in their hearts, but he also left a great legacy, one that will live on through us all.

On July 3, 2013, Pablo quietly passed away, surrounded by his family after living a life with one central goal: to make a better life for those he loved. It was this idea that motivated him in all the decisions that he faced, an idea that took him from his home in Laredo, Texas, to Chicago, Illinois, and finally to Racine, Wisconsin, and the house where he spent over fifty years.

Pablo was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1930 and his family quickly moved to Laredo where he spent his early life together with his five siblings. He left his home at the age of 13 to help his family and to seek his fortune in the world. During his travels he became a jack of all trades working on the railroad, but also as a cook, mechanic, tanner, presser and a migrant worker. During his days as a migrant worker he met Josephine Cruz; they wed in 1950 and shortly thereafter they moved to Racine where Pablo began looking for work. They would eventually have six children together.

Pablo found employment at J.I. Case, where he worked as a machinist on the floor. He would spend over thirty years with the company and became a member of their twenty-year club. He retired in 1982, but the company would always be very dear to him. In 1957 Pablo bought the house where he would spend the rest of his life. It is situated at the end of Ehlert Street with the Root River silently floating by. In his later years he was content to sit at home with family, tell stories or sing in his typical family tradition, cook, tinker with broken things and read history books as well as the odd Sherlock Holmes mystery. People remember a kind and gentle soul who spent little on himself, but was more than willing to help out family in need.

Survivors include his children, Robert Salinas, Richard (Marie) Salinas, Ruben Salinas, all of Racine, Rosa (Jan) Salinas Hultman of Sweden, Rita (Daniel) Lonergan of Racine; nine grandchildren, Jason Salinas, Antonio (Maria) Salinas, Christopher (Marie) Marry Hultman, Jon Hultman, Catharina (Erik) Hultman Eurenius, Amanda Hultman (David Raschke), Richard (Lisa) Lonergan, David (Tracy) Lonergan, Randall Lonergan; nine great-grandchildren, Alivia, Quintin, Susanna, Mina, Maia, Cordell, Jayden, Parker and Jaelan; brothers, Juan Salinas, Miguel (Mary) Salinas; sister, Gloria Alaniz, all of Laredo, TX; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his son, Raymond; and brother, Manuel Lopez; and great-grandson, Zayden Lonergan.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Cristo Rey Catholic Church, 801 College Ave., at 6 p.m. on Monday, with Rev. Esteban Redolad officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church Monday from 5 p.m. until time of Mass at 6 p.m. Memorials to Careers have been suggested.

The family extends a special thank you to Dr. Kristine Dziurzynski and the staff at Wheaton Fransiscan-All Saints third floor ICU for all of their loving and compassionate care.

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

Bernice V. (Kamm) McMahon

Bernice V. McMahon, age 94, passed away  on Monday, July 1, 2013,  at Ridgewood Care Center.  Bernice was born in Racine on November 22, 1918, daughter of the late Julius and Agnes (Nee:  Liefke) Kamm.

Bernice was a graduate of William Horlick High School “Class of 1936” where she lettered in softball.  On August 16, 1941, she was united in marriage to Earl J. McMahon, who preceded her in death on February 20, 1987. She was an assembler at Hamilton Beach, and worked at Machinery and Factory Equipment, where she retired as a bookkeeper.  Bernice was a longtime faithful and active member of 1st Evangelical Lutheran Church.  Over the span of forty years at the church, Bernice served as the Sunday School Superintendent, and was a member of the Ladies Aid and Naomi Mission Circle.  She and her husband owned and operated the White Elephant Resale Shop for many years.  She will be deeply missed.

Survivors include her brother and sister-in-law, Donald (Esther) Kamm of Racine; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.  In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Robert (Pearl) Kamm; sister, Lois (Frank) Konecny; and sister-in-law, Esther Kamm.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2013, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home.  Interment will follow at Mound Cemetery.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family Saturday at the funeral home from 9  a.m. until time of service at 10 a.m.  Memorials to 1st Evangelical Lutheran Church have been suggested.

A special thank you to the entire staff at Ridgewood Care Center 1 West for their loving and compassionate care.

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

Margaret H. (Zauner) Strausser

Margaret H. Strausser, age 92, passed away on Monday, July 1, 2013, at Oak Ridge Care Center.  Margaret was born in Racine on September 9, 1920, daughter of the late Rudolph and Katie (Nee:  Rittman) Zauner.  She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church.

Survivors include her children, Robert Strausser, Lori Strausser, Cheryl Strausser; grandchildren; brother, Robert (Mary) Zauner; nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.   In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Rudolph Zauner; and sisters, Agnes (Robert) Johnston, Catherine Danek.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 5, 2013, at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1100 Erie St., with Rev. Esteban Redolad officiating, assisted by Deacon Russell Missureli.   Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Garden Mausoleum, Hwy 32.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family Friday at the church from 10 a.m. until time of Mass at 11 a.m.

A special thank you to the staff at Oak Ridge Care Center and Community Care for their loving and compassionate care. 

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

Frances R. (Rodriguez) Sanchez

Frances R. Sanchez, age 81, passed away on Monday, July 1, 2013, at United Hospital System, Kenosha.  Frances was born in Crystal City, Texas, on May 11, 1932, daughter of the late Eusebio and Hilaria (Nee:  Espenoza) Rodriguez.

On January 12, 1962, she was united in marriage to Raul L. Sanchez, who preceded her in death.  Frances was employed by Wisconsin Battery for fourteen years.  Frances was a member of Cristo Rey Catholic Church.  She enjoyed crocheting, but most of all she cherished time with her family.   Frances will be fondly remembered for her excellent cooking and baking, especially her delicious peanut butter cookies and tamales.   She enjoyed filling the needs of the ones she loved.  She will be dearly missed.

Survivors include her son, Brian (Kristie) Kosen of Racine; her daughter-in-law, Tammy Sanchez of Racine; grandchildren; sister, Guadalupe Delacruz of Racine; special niece, Rose Salas of Racine; other relatives and many dear friends.  In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by her son, Nicholas; six brothers; eight sisters, and special nephew, Steve Salas.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, July 8, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at Cristo Rey Catholic Church, 801 College Ave., with Rev. Antony Thomas officiating.  Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32.   Relatives and friends may meet with the family Monday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass at 10:30 a.m.  Per Frances wishes, please don’t send flowers.

A special thank you to the staffs at Wheaton Franciscan 3C, Kenosha Estates, and to Dawn, her PA, Rachel and Peter from Hospice Alliance for their loving and compassionate care.

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