Diane Gramza-Ishman-Dzurick

Racine – Diane Marie Gramza-Ishman-Dzurick, age 64, passed away at her home on Thursday, January 29, 2015 after being diagnosed with an aggressive cancer just last month.

Diane was born in Racine on June 20, 1950 to the late Joseph and Patricia (nee: Hull) Gramza. She attended St. Edward’s Grade School and Washington Park High School. Always serving others, she was employed as a waitress for many years at “Around the Clock” restaurant – eventually owning it for approximately four years. Diane also worked at McDonald’s at the Douglas / 4 Mile location.
Diane was an extreme Green Bay Packer fan. She also had a great appreciation for sunshine….always attaining a golden tan in the summer months. Diane had the gift of growing heaping mounds of Impatiens flowers while out enjoying the sun. She was known for having an open door policy – especially for her children’s friends- who’s home was affectionately named by others as “Diane’s Home for Wayward Kids”. When diagnosed last month with terminal cancer….she expressed that she “just wanted to be surrounded by the children she gave birth to & by the ones that she didn’t”. Above all, she was an adoring grandmother who had an extensive collection of Disney movies…as she loved, nothing more, than spending every available moment with her grandchildren.

Surviving are her children, Jennifer (Ryan) Kortendick, Nichole (Walter) McDonald, Chad Ishman and Adam Ishman; grandchildren, Austin Ishman, Morgan DeLuca, Sebastian Ishman, Isabelle Breiling, Vinnie Ishman, Maxwell Ishman and Adam Ishman, Jr.; former husband, Ronn Ishman; brothers and sisters, Michael Gramza, Linda (Ramez)  Boueri, Joseph Gramza, John (Angie) Gramza, Susan (Frank Nejedly) Gramza and Theresa (Kurt) Kopplin; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends – too numerous to mention all by name. In addition to her parents, Diane was preceded in death by her brother, Donald Gramza.

Funeral services will be held in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Thursday, February 5, 2015 at 7:00 pm with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. Private interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Thursday from 5-7 pm. In memory of Diane, memorials to the family has been suggested.

A heartfelt note of thanks to wonderful staff at Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints (especially the surgical floor and cancer center) for the compassionate care and support given in Diane’s time of need. May God bless all of you!