Bernice "Breezy" Corona

After a long wonderful life Breezy danced her way through heavens gates and we're sure the music of "Breezys Polka" was playing. Breezy was born on the Wnuk family homestead on Good Hope Rd in the town of Lisbon WI, on February 6, 1924.  There was a severe blizzard that day and the roads were impassable.  Uncle Louie, age 11 at the time, road on a horse to fetch doc Lawler who was known to like his liquor but they said he was a good doctor.

Breezy grew up on the south side of Milwaukee. She attended parochial schools and graduated from Girls Tech. Breezy got her nickname from her neighborhood friends the Kleczka brothers. They said "you never sit still; you're always gone like the wind so we're going to call you Breezy".  During the time Breezy was growing up, families were close and she was especially close to her Wnuk aunts, uncles, cousins and the Dubnickas. Breezy cherished times with Uncle Frank, Aunt Mae, Aunt Rosie, and Aunt Evangeline. She spent many times swimming in the quarry with her cousin Roy.

Breezy started working at Eagles Knitting factory, where she met her lifelong best friend Evelyn Przybylski (Gusty). She was also employed at Allen Bradley, Western Publishing, and finished her career at Delco Electronics.

Every weekend she went to the USO with her best friend Gusty to dance with the sailors. Breezy insisted there was never any hanky-panky going on.  Breezy met her husband to be Sebastian Corona jitterbugging at the Eagles club in Milwaukee. In June of 1949 they were married in Milwaukee.  In 1953 they welcomed their son Richard, and in 1955 their daughter Tina.  The family home was on the 5th hole of Meadowbrook county club on Meadowbrook blvd. Many adventures took place on the golf course that were led by Breezy including sledding, ice skating, and hiking with the neighborhood kids tagging along. After 9 years of marriage Breezy and Seb parted ways. Even though they were separated from each other there was no way Breezy was leaving the Corona family that she loved so very much.

Breezy was a world traveler. She took yearly trips to Las Vegas with Gusty or the Corona clan. She didn't gamble but loved the shows and people watching. Breezy actually attended Debbie Reynolds birthday party in Las Vegas. Breezy's other travels took her to Poland, Australia, the Bahamas, and Hawaii. You could never celebrate Breezy's birthday on her birthday because she was always celebrating her birthday in Illinois at Polka Fest. During Thanksgiving she was always in Cleveland Ohio for the yearly Polka Hall of Fame music awards show. Breezy's travel partner was Judy Meisner, mother of hall of fame accordionist Steve Meisner.  Steve and his family became close friends with Breezy. Another one of Breezy's favorite musicians was George Staiduhar who wrote "Breezy's polka" in honor of her.

Every Thursday, Breezy would go to Malicki's Piggly Wiggly for the Veterans coffee clutch where she became good friends with owner Ralph Malicki.  Even though Breezy was not a veteran she joined the vets for coffee and donuts and made several new friends. She made weekly trips to Goodwill and made friends with the manager, Randy. It was at Goodwill where Breezy bought her faithful companion Buddy, the stuffed dog for $1.99. Buddy accompanied her everywhere she went and was faithfully next to her when she passed.

Breezy was not afraid to go anywhere alone. She never missed a festival. If it was in Milwaukee, she would go to the park and ride and take the bus. Polish Fest and Italian Fest were her favorites. Breezy always had a camera in hand to take pictures of everyone and everything she did.

Breezy drove her car until she was 90 years old when her son Rich decided to pull the car keys and Tina volunteered to take her wherever she needed. The family didn't think it would go over very well until one day Breezy said "boy is this ever wonderful, I have my own personal chauffeur". Breezy's neighbor Lee also drove her to Hardee's every other week and ALDIs. Dennis and Patti, next-door neighbors always kept a watchful eye on Breezy.

After doctor's recommendations at age 92 Breezy moved to Home Harbor.  The family thought once again that Breezy was not going to be happy leaving her family home and moving into an apartment.  She walked into the new apartment, and not only fell in love with it, but also with all of the residents that lived there.  The staff members were amazing and loved Breezy too. Bus trips to Wal-Mart is where she met Doug another wonderful friend that worked there who always watched out for her. After almost 4 years at Home Harbor Covid hit and the facility was forced to stop all visitations.  Breezy's daughter Tina asked if she would like to come live with her and her husband Ronald at their home and she said yes. Ronald cooked up her favorite homemade pancakes every day.  After six months, they made the decision that Breezy would stay with them and give up her apartment. Breezy's favorite spot was in a recliner in front of the picture window, watching the neighbors. One day she asked for a pair of binoculars. Ronald got Breezy the binoculars and she became the neighborhood watch lady, especially keeping an eye out for Peter who lived up the street.  Breezy loved hats, and at one time she owned 18 hats. Tina's friend Debra started making Breezy personalized bedazzled hats which she adored. Breezy's favorite show on TV was Lawrence Welk and she had 90 shows of his taped, which ran daily along with polka specials with Steve Meisner.  Her favorite restaurant was Polonez owned by her friends George and Aleksandra and her favorite meal there was czernina (blood soup).

You never knew what Breezy was going to say or do. During the three years of living there, she asked Ronald weekly has he ever been married.  He would tell her that he was never married and had no kids. She would bat her eyes and say "then I still have a chance?"  Breezy adored her son-in-law Ronald. After one year of living with Tina and Ronald, Home Harbor called and said they were lifting the covid restrictions and Breezy could move back.  Tina told her mom that her room was still available and she could move back to Home Harbor and Tina would go back to visiting her daily. Breezy said "I love it here and I'm not going anywhere!"  It all worked out great.  Rich would come weekly to help Tina so she could have a break. Great grandson Andrew could always be counted on for assistance as well.

Breezy is survived by her son Richard Corona (Sonya Sotelo), daughter Tina (Ronald) Jensen, grandchildren Raymond (Nicole) Jensen, Andrew (Terri) Jensen, Adam (Beth) Jensen, Taylor Corona, Kayla (John) Hagen. Breezy is also survived by several great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.  She is also survived by extended family The Groh's – Tony, Ellen, Stephanie (Olivia), Josie (Roderick) and Alex all from Arizona.

Breezy was preceded in death by her parents Vincent and Anna Tomczak, her prior husband Sebastian Corona, her brother Melvin, brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws, and great granddaughter Juliana Rae.

The family would like to thank Aurora hospice for their loving care especially Kathryn, Katherine, Shirley and Kate

Breezy and her family were blessed with more than three amazing years making wonderful memories together. There were countless photo shoots and videos dressing up and putting smiles on hundreds of faces throughout those 3 years.  What a ride it was! Breezy was an amazing mother and friend to many.  She touched so many people's lives along the way. She always said "never feel sorry for me.  I had two wonderful children and I've seen it all and done it all".  "I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck".

Service Details

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday May 3, 2023.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 o'clock Noon at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church 6400 Spring Street, Mt. Pleasant, WI.  A visitation will take place at the church on Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of Mass.

Memorial Suggestions

In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances to either Special Olympics WI, 2310 Crossroads Drive, Suite 1000, Madison, WI, 53718 or to WI Humane Society Racine, 8900 16 ^th St., Mt. Pleasant, WI 53177 would be appreciated.