Lois Ann Hrpcek

Racine- Lois Ann Hrpcek (nee: Downie), 72, passed away peacefully in Kenosha at the Brookside Care Center on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 following a 5-year struggle with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer. A lifetime resident of Racine County, Lois was born in Burlington on May 23, 1933 to the late Lawrence F. and Amelia “Mollie” (nee: Isferding) Downie. A 1952 graduate of William Horlick High School, it is during her school age years that she established many friendships that she continued to treasure throughout her life. On February 19, 1955 in St. Patrick Catholic Church-Racine, she was united in marriage with the love of her life, Joseph Michael Hrpcek. Many years ago, Lois was employed by Walker Mfg. As she loved to socialize with others, Lois thoroughly enjoyed her sales career at Johnson’s Home Furnishings for over 18 years retiring in February of 2000. Foremost in her life, she loved her life’s work of being a tireless homemaker, always devoting herself to her family especially to her adored grandchildren. She will be missed immensely by the countless lives she touched. Lois was a proud and longtime member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. Among many of her interests, she enjoyed flower gardening. Her beautiful roses gave her great pleasure. Surviving are her loving husband of over 51 years, Joseph; their children, Stephen (Kathy) Hrpcek of Racine; Scott (Jean) Hrpcek of Brighton; and Jon (Kristie) Hrpcek of Union Grove; grandchildren, Adam and Mark Hrpcek; Brian and Kevin Hrpcek; and Austin and Adam Graf; sisters, Marlene Bednar and Joyce (Ken Hawes) Mielke, both of Racine; brother, Richard Downie of Las Vegas, NV; sister-in-law, Anne Bulik of San Antonio, TX; brother-in-law, Robert Backlin of Astoria, OR; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear and wonderful friends, too numerous to mention by name. In addition to her parents, Lois was preceded in death by her brothers-in-law, Frank Bednar, Rudolph Bulik, Eugene Giese and Joe Kopecky; sisters-in-law, Margaret Backlin and Mary Giese-Kopecky; and by Joe’s parents, Adam and Helen (nee: Zachar) Hrpcek. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 7, 2006 at 11 am in St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St., with Rev. William J. Dietzler officiating and Deacon Willard M. Widmar assisting. Entombment will follow in the mausoleum of Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Visitation will be at the church on Friday from 9-11 am. In memory of Lois, memorials may be made to the Brookside Care Center – Activity Fund in recognition of the tremendous attention Lois received in the past months . A heartfelt note of thanks to Dr. Richard N. Odders, All Saints Cancer Center, Brookside Care Center, and to Hospice Alliance for all their compassionate care and support. Also, many thanks to all of our friends, relatives, and neighbors, who continually kept me in their thoughts and prayers. God bless all of you! – Love, Lois