Frances Marie Petrowski

Service Details

Service: Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at 6:00 pm in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home

Visitation: Wednesday, June 7th, from 4:00 – 6:00 pm in the funeral home

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Racine- Frances Marie Petrowski (nee: Michalewicz), age 89, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded with the love of her children, on Friday, June 2, 2017.

She was born on November 4, 1927 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of the late Joseph and Anna Michalewicz (nee: Zajdel). On November 3, 1947 she was joined in marriage to Philip John Petrowski at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cassel, Wis. Frances and Philip were married for 62 years before his passing on November 22, 2009.

Surviving are her children, Kenneth (Joan) Petrowski, of Antioch, IL, Rodney “Ron” (Sally) Petrowski, Glenn Petrowski and Connie (Randy) Thompson all of Racine;11 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, sisters; Florence Weisenberger, Marathon, Wis, Agnes (Jack) Needham, Chicago, IL, and brother Edward (MaryLou) Michalewicz, Las Vegas NV. In addition to her parents and husband Philip, Frances was preceded in death by her daughter Deborah Petrowski on Feb 22, 1965, her brother Stanley Michalewicz sisters; Sophie Stanley, Marie Simon, Lottie Burger, & Josephine Adamski.

Frances worked very hard in her 89 years. On the family farm there were many chores that had to be taken care of and Frances was the one that helped her Pa get them done. When she was only eleven years old she worked as a nanny for a family in Wausau. When she lived in Chicago she worked at a needle and at a basket factory. After moving to Racine, Frances cleaned private homes & also at Bohm Electric. She took in laundry and worked a full time job at Oneil Leather. Even after her precious daughter Debbie passed away, Frances continued to keep busy. She taught herself how to crochet. There wasn’t anything Frances couldn’t duplicate with her crochet skills. She made tablecloths, afghans and beautiful Christmas ornaments.  Frances had a huge heart. Always kind and caring, she babysat for many children in her home. Almost everyone would come to know her as “Grandma Fran”. She said her “door was always open” and she meant it! Frances was a devoted wife and Mother. She and Philip traveled to many places together.  They went to LasVegas, bus trips to the casino and on many camping trips with the family. Frances also played bingo with her best friend Marion (Sissy) West.  Never one to sit still Frances helped relatives and friends get back on their feet by having them come live with her and Philip.  Frances enjoyed being a homemaker. She actually loved to do the laundry. Her favorite was to be able to hang them out on the clothesline. Even when it became more difficult for her to get around she would still enjoy washing clothes. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren.  She especially looked forward to her goodnight snuggle from her treasured cat named Dude.

Funeral services will be held in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at 6:00 pm. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Wednesday from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. Private interment will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32.

The family would like to thank Frances’ wonderful neighbors who came to visit, kept an eye on her and surprised her with treats. We would also like to acknowledge the awesome and tender care that her son Glenn gave to her over the past six years. Many thanks to him for his patience, care and understanding of her illness (Your promise to Mom to stay with her until the end was fulfilled) The family would also like to thank the nurses as Ascension Hospice, her church family at St. Lucy’s and her former daughter in-laws; Linda (West) Fonk and Mary Petrowski.