Raymond T. Smith

Raymond “Ray” T. Smith, age 92, passed away on Wednesday, December 31, 2014, at Wheaton Franciscan- All Saints Medical Center. Ray was born in Omaha, NE, on January 19, 1922, son of the late Raymond Thomas Smith and Elsie Anne Smith (Nee: Wittke).

He served in the United States Coast Guard aboard the USS Newport (PF-27) in World War II as part of the Atlantic and Pacific Anti-Submarine Patrol and Convoy Duty.

Ray met Rhea Osterman in Racine, and they married on January 6, 1951. She preceded him in death on July 20, 2014.

While living in Racine, Ray was employed by Massey Ferguson Tank Division, Robert’s Shoes and Rogan’s Shoes.

His surviving children with Rhea include Kevin R. (Cindy) Smith of Racine, Dale D. Gibson of Palm Springs, CA, and Roberta Krause of Racine. He is further survived by eight grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; his sister, Connie Bertermann of Brookfield; other relatives and many great friends.

Private funeral services with Full Military Honors will be held at West Lawn Memorial Park.

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

Hazel E. Litrenta

Hazel E. Litrenta, age 91, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 30, 2014, at Lakeshore Manor. Hazel was born in Youngstown, Ohio, on January 24, 1923.

On June 7, 1947, she was united in marriage to Orlando Litrenta, with whom she shared fifty-two wonderful years of marriage. He preceded her in death on November 27, 1999.

She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and member and past president of Christian Mothers, and member and past president of Vittoria Colonna. Hazel was a kind and gentle woman who was always there to help anyone in need. She will be dearly missed.

Survivors include her two brothers, Warren “Bud” Jones and Wally (Carol) Kroll; many loving nieces and nephews, Ronald (Mary) Guarascio, Ray (Penny) Guarascio, Anita Durbin, Loretta Andersen, Tony Savoli, Angie Gallo, Helen “Sis” Brook, George (Jean) Kroll, Tom (Laure) Kroll, Steve Jones, Debbie (Curtis) Schunacker, Lisa Hazlett; many great-nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews; other relatives and dear friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by brother-in-law, Tony (Josie) Litrenta; sisters-in-law, Esther (Joseph) Guarascio and Rachael Gallo; nephews, Joseph Gallo, Jim Durbin, Dennis Andersen; and great-nephew, Randall Guarascio.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 5, 2015, at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2201 Northwestern Ave., with Rev. Ricardo Martin officiating.  Interment will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family Monday at the church from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. (Vittoria Colonna Service) Memorials to Sacred Heart Catholic Church have been suggested.

A special thank you to the staff at Lakeshore Manor for their loving and compassionate care.

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

Jane (Cullen) Paar

Jane Paar, age 95, passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2014, at the Becker-Shoop Center. Jane was born in Jackson, WI, on September 18, 1919, daughter of the late Charles E. and Esther P. (Nee: Frank) Cullen.

On June 14, 1941, at St. Patrick Catholic Church she was united in marriage to Louis A. Paar, who preceded her in death on October 15, 1981. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and Christian Mothers. In her younger years Jane taught cooking classes at St. Joseph School and enjoyed helping with St. Patrick’s Meal Program. She will be fondly remembered for her famous bread. Most of all, she was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who will be dearly missed.

Survivors include her children, Gilly (Pat) Paar, Don (Marcia) Paar, Tom (Sharon) Paar, Mike (Donna) Paar; nine grandchildren, Tony (Audrey) Paar, Kendra (Kurt) Korth, Joel (Laurie) Paar, Andy (Christie) Paar, Janna Coca (fiancé, Marco Gruchalski), Shawn (Heather) Paar, Leslie (Bill) Lahti, Lindsay Hanson, Kristin (J.P.) Gorman; 13 great-grandchildren; sister, Ellen Kovac; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Sam; sisters, Rose, Mary and Suzanne; and brothers, Charles and Jimmy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 3, 2015, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1533 Erie St., with Rev. Steve Varghese officiating. Private interment will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family Saturday at church from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass at 11 a.m. Memorials to St. Joseph Catholic Church or to St. Catherine’s High School have been suggested.

A very special thank you to the caregivers at the Becker-Shoop Center and Hospice Alliance for their loving and compassionate care. 

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

Nancy L. (Mundt) Eeg

Nancy Louise Eeg, age 82, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 30, 2014, (one day after her 63rd wedding anniversary to her beloved husband Ed) at Wheaton Franciscan All Saints Medical Center. She was born in Madison, WI, on May 10, 1932, daughter of the late Arthur and Margaret (nee: Barry) Mundt.

On December 29, 1951, at Blessed Sacrament Church in Madison, she was united in marriage to Edward Eeg. Nancy was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, an active contributor to the church and to Sacred Heart School. For four years, she taught an elective cooking class to 7th and 8th grade girls and boys.

Nancy was also a motivated community volunteer. Notable were her involvements with VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), the Racine Housing Coalition, and the Love and Charity Mission. Nancy enjoyed being a member and friend to many at the Harbor Lite Yacht Club.

Nancy exemplified what is good in a person, one whom people loved upon meeting her. It’s because she loved without prejudice, gave without hesitation, and provided her family a bit of heaven while she was here. We can try to live by her example: With kindness, generosity, hard work with a sense of joyful purpose, sparkling wit and sweet humor, and most importantly, pure, abundant love. Blessings and thanks to you, friends and family. Hug your loved ones often, smile at “strangers,” and always reach out to those in need. It’s what Mom did. She was truly the heart and soul of the Eeg Family home. This devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother will be dearly missed.

Surviving are Nancy’s husband of 63 years, Ed; four children: Daniel (RaeAnn) Eeg of Racine, Jonathan (Lynn) Eeg of Racine, Laura Meier of Milwaukee, Barbara (Scott) Braun of Racine; seven grandchildren: Hillarie (Tom) White, Tobias (Kelley) Eeg, Caleb Eeg, Jennifer (Matthew) Elster, Nicole (Kevin) Singstock, Matthew Braun, Olivia Braun; three great-grandchildren: Carson, Cameron and Carter; her brother: Philip Mundt (Ramona Buss) of Yellville, AK; her sisters: Mary (Phil) Handel of Middleton, WI, Anne Marie (David) Salisbury of Monroe, GA, her sister-in-law: Nancy Holthaus of LaCrosse, WI; her close friend: Pegi Pedersen; plus nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 6, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2200 Northwestern Ave., with Rev. Ricardo Martin officiating. Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Mausoleum, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet Tuesday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass. Memorials to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or to St. Catherine’s High School have been suggested.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staffs at Ridgewood Care Center and Wheaton Franciscan All Saints ICU for their loving and compassionate care.

Maresh-Meredith and Acklam Funeral Home
803 Main St., Racine, WI    (262) 634-7888

Henriette F. (Frantz) Piette

Henriette F. Piette, age 90, passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2014, at Ridgewood Care Center. Henriette was born in Liege, Belgium, on April 24, 1924, daughter of the late Albert and Catherine (Nee: Van Mullen) Frantz.

On May 25, 1946, she was united in marriage to Donald J. Piette, with whom she shared sixty-eight beautiful years.

She was a longtime member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Henriette will be fondly remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She will be dearly missed.

Survivors include her loving husband, Donald; her children, David (Susan) Piette of Edgerton, WI, Stephen (Lisa) Piette of Racine, Catherine (Michael) Hartman of Blaine, MN; 11 grandchildren, Anne Marie (Adam) Zickus, Julie Piette (fiancé, Ryan Olson), Megan Piette, Adrienne (Chris) Spangenberg, Jennifer (Mike) Eppinger, DeAnna Piette, Daniel Clark, Justin Piette, Ryan Hartman, Derek Hartman, Carl Hartman; two great-grandchildren, Jameson Eppinger, Camden Zickus; two special grandchildren, Maggie and Will Sullivan; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 3, 2015, at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2201 Northwestern Ave., with Rev. Ricardo Martin officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Saturday at the church from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Private interment will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Jude’s Children Hospital or to St. Catherine’s High School have been suggested.

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

Francis 'Van' W. Van Opens

Francis “Van” W. Van Opens, 95, passed away at home on December 28, 2014. Born in Republic, Michigan, to the late Peter Van Opens and Elizabeth (Zeitler), he served in the army during WWII, was a graduate of Marquette University and worked for many years as a CPA in Milwaukee.

He had been a member of the Milwaukee Downtown Rotary Club and, upon retirement, the West Racine Rotary Club. He was a wonderful provider and father and will be missed by his children and grandchildren: Peter (Gina) Van Opens of Oconomowoc, Katie (Jeff) Nelson and Pattie (Rick) Otto of Racine; grandchildren: Matthew, Paul (Becky), Lisa, David, Julie and Libby; great-grandsons: Travis and Benjamin.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Lois (Wilbershide); his sisters-and-brothers-in-law:  James and Helen Wilbershide, Dorothy and Robert Fisler; and nephew, Bob Wilbershide.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 6400 Spring St., on Friday, January 2, 2015, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Terrance J. Huebner officiating. Private interment will be held. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorials to St. Paul the Apostle Church or St. Catherine’s High School.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff of Home Instead Senior Care, especially Ingrid, Zee, Kimberly, Penny and Connie, for their kind and compassionate care over the last few years.  In addition, they would like to thank Wheaton-Franciscan Home Health and Hospice for their support.

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

Elinore B. Hauch

Elinore B. Hauch passed away on Saturday, December 27, at Ridgewood Care Center. She was born in Racine on August 4, 1913, to Henry Charles and Elizabeth Ellen (nee: Williams) Hauch.

She attended St. Rose Grade School and graduated from Washington Park High School in 1931. She graduated from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Wausau in 1935 and spent her career as a registered Surgical Nurse. She first practiced nursing in Santa Barbara, California, with her sister, Dorothy, before they returned to Racine at the urging of their family as WWII loomed.

One of the first private practice nurses in the city of Racine, she retired in 1971. In later years, she was care-giver and home-maker for her two handicapped brothers, Eugene and Herbert.

Elinore enjoyed travelling, and fondly recalled trips to Europe and New York. In later years, she made frequent trips to Door County and visited Florida with her brother, Herb. Elinore was an enthusiastic sports fan and tirelessly cheered for the Milwaukee Brewers. She greatly enjoyed living at St. Monica’s and playing cards with her friends.

She is survived by nine nieces and nephews: A. Jerome Pfeiffer, Mrs. Norbert (Joyce) Pfeiffer, Maryellen (late David) Carlson, and Mrs. Donald (Marsha) Meracle of Racine; Richard (Rose) Horvath of Rochester, New York; James (Joy) Horvath of California; Dennis (late Pat) Horvath of Greenfield; Carol (late Gerald) Dann of California; and Eileen (Skip) Richie of Tomah. Elinore will be deeply missed by her great-nieces, Diane Carlson, Karen (Barna) Bencs, Susan (Ken) Gill and their families. She is further survived by great-nephew Tom Pfeiffer, Racine, and many great-nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters and brothers-in-law Grace (Al) Pfeiffer, Edna (John) Horvath, Kathryn (Donald) Meracle, Norma (Ty) Newberry, Jeannette (James) Cody, and Dorothy Hauch; brothers and sisters-in-law, Raymond, Eugene, Edmund (Marge), Henry (Norma) and Herbert; and nephews, Norbert Pfeiffer, Donald Meracle and Robert Newberry .

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 3, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Edward’s Catholic Church, 1401 Grove Ave., with Rev. Allen Bratkowski officiating. Friends and relatives may visit with the family at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass at 10:30 a.m. followed by internment at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to United Cerebral Palsy or the charity of one’s choice.

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