RACINE – Vondell, "Vonnie" Kis passed away on Friday, May 27, 2022 at Froedtert Community Hospital in Menomonee Falls, with four of her daughters by her side. Vondell was born on May 8, 1930 to Francis and Matilda (nee: Schimmel) Hills. Vonnie was a member of Holy Name Parish for most of her life, where she attended elementary school. She graduated from St. Catherine's High School in 1948. She earned a teaching degree with a double major in math and English, as well as a minor in French from Marquette University in 1952. After graduating, she taught high school in Michigan. When her children were older, she would occasionally substitute teach in Racine.

In 1953 she married the love of her life, Norbert Kis. Together they had eight children. Vonnie often referred to them as the "Great Eight" or in recent years, her eight bosses.

Vonnie was a homemaker and she worked tirelessly to ensure the health, happiness, and success of her children.

Vonnie was awarded Racine's Mother of the Year in 1986, a well-deserved honor.  She was always baking and making lunches for school. Her pierogies and Christmas cookies were the best.  She never complained about cooking for ten and you could always count on a home cooked meal on the table at night.

Together with her husband, she instilled the importance of family, faith, and education in her children. She drew strength to face the challenges of life from her unwavering love for and faith in God.

In her later years she volunteered in the library at Schulte and classrooms at Wadewitz Elementary Schools. She would gather weekly with her many friends to play Bridge or Sheepshead or have a meal out until Covid hit.  Her favorite card game by far was Cribbage. In the last several months of her life, barely a day went by when she didn't play or win a Cribbage game. She enjoyed reading, gardening, and playing other games. She enjoyed an occasional trip to the casino and could be seen wearing a sweatshirt that said, "Keep Grandma off the Streets, take her to the Casino".  She was an avid sports fan and especially loved the Packers, Brewers, Badgers and Marquette basketball.

She loved sitting on her front porch, playing a game of cards and watching the bustle of the neighborhood. She also loved her neighbors and was appreciative of their kindness.

By far, family brought her the most joy. She dearly loved and took great pride in her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Despite the size of her family, she never missed or was late with a birthday card! She was affectionately known by her grandchildren as Grammy, Grandma Marbles, Grandma Flossie or Maa.

Vonnie had a twinkle in her eyes and a glow about her which made her look younger than her years. She will be dearly missed for her laughter, warm smile, kindness, spunk, silly jokes, unending stories, generosity and grateful heart.  Her outgoing and fun-loving spirit will forever have a special place in our hearts and minds.

Vondell was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Norbert in 1995, her brother Donny in 2011, her grandson Thomas Stueckroth in 2021, and her parents. She is survived by her eight children: Karen (Dale) Weber, Barb (Matt) Uselman, Sandy Linskens, (fiancé, Tom Slota), Brian (Sheila) Kis, Holly Brown, Anne (Dave) Simson, Amy (Mark) Stueckroth, Tom Kis, and special friend, Barb Heath. She is further survived by twenty grandchildren: Brad Weber, Stephanie Weber, Elizabeth Weber, Peter (Mandi) Uselman, Tim (Tracey) Uselman, Anna (Becca) Uselman, Melissa (Justin) Wilson, Chris Linskens, Mindi Kis, Lisa (Ben) Filzen, Sam Brown, Kate Brown, Ben Brown, Nicole Simson, Kendra Simson, Emma (Ryan) Lakin, Ellie Stueckroth, Heidi Stueckroth, Sabrina Kis, and Joe Kis, and six great grandchildren Charlotte, Ella, Madelyn, Kylie, Gus, Sammie and Vinny.

A mass of Christian burial will be held on June 10, 2022, at 12:00 pm at St. Richard of Chichester Catholic Church (1503 Grand Ave) with Fr. Juan Manuel Camacho presiding. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the time of the mass. A private interment will take place.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be gifted in Vonnie's name to Catholic Charities or Saint Richard of Chichester Church.

Service Details

A mass of Christian burial will be held on June 10, 2022, at 12:00 pm at St. Richard of Chichester Catholic Church (1503 Grand Ave) with Fr. Juan Manuel Camacho presiding.

Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the time of the mass. A private interment will take place.

You may watch the Mass via livestream by clicking on this link at noon. https://youtu.be/VPG0yEHCuwE