Anita Castaneda Herrera, age 84, passed away in hospice care, peacefully at her home in Racine, WI on July 27, 2019.

Anita is survived by her five children, Michael (Sandy) Herrera, their children, Joseph (Anna) Schumacher, Sara (Casey) Lampereur, Brittany (Vince) Lang, Maxwell and Madeline Herrera, Racine, WI; Georgia (Jeff Leavell) Herrera, their sons, Jennings and Theodore, Racine, WI; Karen (Russell Betts) Herrera, their daughter Evelyn, Madison, WI; Patrick (Terri Gilboy) Herrera, Racine, WI; June (Shaun) Doyne, sons Justin and Thomas Benko, and their twin daughters Kylie and Keira Doyne of Muskego, WI.

Anita is further survived by her siblings, Josephine (Ricardo) De Los Santos of St. George, UT, Claudio (Pat) Castaneda of Jordan, MI, Matilda Razo of San Antonio, TX, and by her great-grandchildren, Rose, Dalton, Eliza, Jameson, Lucas and Leo.

Anita was preceded in death by her parents, Sara and Gregorio Castaneda, former husband, George Herrera, siblings; Roger Seguro, Janie Ruiz, Dominga Castenada Martin Castaneda and Eduarda Romero and nephews; David, Edward and Angel Romero.

Anita was born in San Antonio, Texas in 1935 to a migrant family. She was the 6th of 9 children.  When Anita was 13 years old, her family moved to Kenosha, WI, eventually settling in Racine, WI.

Anita was the first member of her family to attend high school and also the first to enroll in and graduate from college.  Anita graduated from Washington Park High School in 1954, received a BA from The College of Racine in 1973, an MS in Educational Administration from UW-Milwaukee in 1975 and earned a fellowship in Educational Policy, from George Washington University in 1976.

Anita had a long and wonderful career in education and community work. She began her professional career at Racine Unified School District. From there, she was an instructor at Michigan State University, and worked for Michigan State Department of Public Instruction as an Education Specialist for the Office of Superintendent, 1975-76. Anita then moved to Sheboygan Public Schools as a Coordinator and Teacher, 1976-77.  She returned to Racine as the Executive Director for Spanish Centers of Racine, Kenosha and Walworth Counties, 1977-80.

In 1980 Anita was appointed by Governor Dreyfus, as the Advisor for Ethnic Minority Initiatives. In 1982, she returned to Racine to work at Wisconsin Natural Gas Company in the Weatherization Program, identifying communities in need. In 1986, Anita became Director of Development and Training at Wisconsin Education Council in Madison, until she retired in 1996.

Anita was a pioneer with a passion for education and a thirst for knowledge. Throughout her life she stayed humble and true to her roots, while emphasizing the importance of education.  She received numerous awards, including the Latina Woman of Achievement Award in 2005 and was inducted into the Washington Park High School Hall of Fame.

Visitation will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 716 College Avenue, Racine WI. Friday, August 2, 2019, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  A memorial service will follow at 11:00 AM. with Rev. Josephine De Los Santos officiating. Memorials to the Racine Humane Society and Park High School have been suggested.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Anita's main caregiver, Warren and the Ascension Hospice staff for their loving and compassionate care.

Service Details

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2019

VISITATION: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

MEMORIAL SERVICE: 11:00 a.m.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (716 COLLEGE AVE.)

Order Flowers from Family Selected Florists