Loretta "Lorie" Slesarenko, 91, passed away, peacefully, at the Woods of Caledonia, on Wednesday,

February 28, 2018, with her son Jay and nephew Fred at her side. She was born in Mandan, North Dakota the daughter of the late Mathias and Katherine (nee: Wetzstein) Reisenauer. Mrs. Slesarenko moved to Racine as a young girl and lived next to St. Rose Church and School. She stayed after school to learn English, because, all she knew was German. Mrs. Slesarenko finally made it through school after 12 years. She wound up being a elementary school secretary, for over 36 years at Hansche School and Dr. Jones School, which she enjoyed immensely.

On August 7, 1948, in St. Rose Catholic Church, she was united in marriage to Fred Slesarenko who

preceded her in death on January 17, 1979. She was a graduate of Washington Park High School, Class of 1944. Mrs. Slesarenko was a member of St. Lucy Catholic Church, where she was active with the Luciniors, planning different dinner outings.

Surviving are her two sons, Gary (Alice) Slesarenko, of St. Peters, MO, and Jay Slesarenko, of Racine, grandchildren, Sarah (Billy) Aldridge, Carrie (David Harris) Laehr, Fred (Jaisey Peskie) Laehr, Anh (John) Gross, Matt (Donna) Slesarenko, and Kristine and (Constance) Borjes Slesarenko; great grandchildren, Ian, Aaron, Kandace, Kelsey, Chloe, James David, Matthew Jr., sister-in-law, Karen Reisenauer, of Racine and Don and Meta Larsen of Racine, Delores Monnier of Kenosha, and Ester Pischke, of Racine. In addition to her parents and her beloved husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Lynn Helland, and brother, Frank Reisenauer.

Special thanks to Trudy Rozzoni and Deb Peterik for all the help they gave Jay.  Also, to Home Harbor, the Woods in Caledonia, and Grace Hospice for taking care of Mom.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to St. Lucy's Church.

Her Mass of Christian burial will be held in St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Ave., on Friday, March 9 ^th , at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Javier Guativa officiating. Visitation will be in the church on Friday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Entombment will follow in Calvary Cemetery Garden Crypts.