RACINE – Julie Krusienski, 91, passed away at Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints Medical Center on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. While she was a lifetime resident of Racine, Julie was born in Kaukauna, WI. on October 30, 1915 to the late John and Julia Joo. On October 2, 1935, she was united in marriage to Chester V. Krusienski. The two would have celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary this October. Julie always had a strong work ethic that is something to be admired. She attended Lakeside school in Racine, but left early to earn money for her family by working in the fields of Piper’s farms. As a young woman she became a beautician, and later studied at the Layton School of Art in Milwaukee where she learned photo retouching and photography oil painting. In 1946, Julie and her husband Chester began their own business, The Camera House, located at 1419 Douglas Avenue. Julie and Chester worked side-by-side each and everyday from the time they met at the Douglas Theater, which was owned by Chester’s family, until they retired and closed The Camera House in 1976. A typical day for Julie began before sunrise and ended well after sunset, and was always occupied by helping others. In spite of her busy schedule she was able to find time to enjoy some hobbies such as gardening, embroidery, China painting, cooking, and traveling. She was also a member of the Racine Garden Club and the Racine Yacht Club. Above all, family was what Julie lived for. She and her husband raised three children making sure each was able to pursue their own ambitions and dreams. Later, she showed the same love for her four grandchildren, who occupied a very special place in her heart. She was able to spend many hours with her grandchildren, helping them daily in anyway she could. Her love for her grandchildren was reciprocated, as they always took the time to visit and help her whenever they could. In every respect Julie was a very special person. As a wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend of many people, Julie was unselfish – she always put others first. Surviving is her husband Chester; son, Brian Krusienski of Chicago; daughters Gale (Tom) Haakensen, and Joy (Gary) Vaillancourt of Racine; grandchildren Meghan (Jim) Edmonson of Sugar Grove, Il; Cullen Rude of Grand Forks, N.D., Casey and Connor Rude of Racine; many nieces, nephews, and close friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded by her stepfather Frank Bodis; father-in-law and mother-in-law Walter and Mildred Krusienski; and, six siblings. Visitation will be Friday, August 3, 2007 at the funeral home from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm with a service to follow. Internment will follow at Graceland Cemetery. The family expresses much appreciation to Dr. Ansani, nurse Meghan and CNA Amanda from Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints, and nurse Mary Jo from Wheaton Franciscan Hospice.
Ken and Betty Kallay says
Please except our deepest sympathies,that we extend to the whole family.We also send our love and prayers. Ken and Betty
Rod & Karen Lorence says
Dear Chester, Brian, Joy, Gayle, and your entire family–
Our heartfelt sympathy on Aunt Julie’s death. I have many fond childhood memories of visits shared and, in particular, the many New Year’s Eves enjoyed either in Racine or South Milwaukee. We share in your loss and will continue to hold all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
Rod and Karen
Anonymous says
Mom (and dad) was (were) loving parents to their three adopted children. They saw to it we had everything, and then some, of all we needed.
The Camera House was a central part of our lives. Not only did we live above it for years on two separate occasions, giving us two parents every moment we were home, but its concerns were also a central part of family life since both mom and dad worked there full time. It made our family life more intimate, I think.
Recognizing this, my parents planned to repeat the experience while expanding our living quarters by attempting to combine a new home with the portrait studio portion of The Camera House business at 3332 Erie Street. Although the spaces got built, the portrait business got squelched by the Wisconsin supreme court, despite the fact that
all the necessary permits to operate had been issued by Racine authorities over such matters.
We kids were exposed to a creative lifestyle by mom who loved Christmas, holidays, birthdays, etc and always found novel ways to decorate and celebrate them.
While she wasn’t much of a clothes horse herself, she loved to see her children dressed
well and stylishly. Our homes were decorated and furnished beautifully. A member of the Racine Garden Club, she created lovely gardens around our home. (At one time they included over 50 rose bushes, her favorite, of different varieties.) She was an excellent cook, making delicious Hungarian and Polish dishes for the family. Table settings always included silverware, candles, napkins and floral (fresh or otherwise) centerpieces, not to mention one set of at least three sets of dishes, which included one that was specific to only to Christmas or Thanksgiving. She loved her dishes.
She read, wrote and spoke perfect English but was also fluent in Hungarian which she spoke with her stepfather, Frank Bodis, who lived with us for many years after her mother died. Neither her stepfather nor mother were fluent in English.
Being exposed to the multicultural environment (Hungarian/Polish) provided by both sets
of grandparents went a long way in developing cultural understanding and tolerance for others within us children.
Mom will always be remembered and missed by all three of her children. Despite working full time with my dad she was a hands-on mom as well and always available to us whenever and however needed.