Janet “Gram” Patricia Kraschinsky, age 82, of Marion, passed away at Kindred Nursing Home on September 30, 2016 surrounded by her loving family.
Janet was born on March 28, 1934 in Burlington (Milwaukee), the oldest of 8 children of George and Amanda (LaFleur) Memmel.
She graduated from Messmer High School in Milwaukee in 1952 and married Theodore Kraschinsky in Milwaukee in 1955.
Janet is survived by her five sons, affectionately referred to as “the boys” – John (Aimee) in San Jose, CA, Duff (Margie) in Marion; Jim (Julie) in Milwaukee, WI; Jerry (Marta) in Scottsdale, AZ; Jay (Jennifer Balliett) in Mt. Dora, FL; Grandchildren: Amanda Jones (Matt), Elizabeth Islam (Andrew) Erica Vertar (Jack), Alyssa Babauta (Felix), Justine (Mark Mehicic), Anthony (Morgan Roosa), Nikki, Zander, Zack, Jay, Yvette Espindola, Quinn Carothers, Christopher Carothers; 10 great-grandchildren; former spouse Ted (Linda); sister Judy (Dick), brothers Will (Jan), Tom (Sue), David as well as many friends. Janet was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Lois, Debbie and Caroline.
Janet and Ted moved their family to Marion, Ohio in 1965 and joined St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Her Catholic faith was the foundation for her loving, giving personality and dedication to serving others. As a devoted patron of St. Mary’s, Janet served as a lector and Eucharistic minister, participated in the Bible Study group and led the Neighborhood Soup Supper each month for 27 years. Janet was also very involved in the Respect Life Committee which actively promotes renewed respect for human life as the responsibility of every Catholic and Young at Heart, which provides social activities including luncheons, trips, speakers, and great food for senior citizens.
Janet began the Endow Program at St. Mary’s as a facilitator. Endow is a global program on Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women that prepares study guides for small groups of women that helps them grow in knowledge of and love for their Catholic faith together.
Janet was instrumental in launching the Women of Grace Program at St. Mary’s, a Catholic apostolate whose mission is to transform the world one woman at a time by affirming women in their dignity and vocation as daughters of God and in their gift of authentic femininity.
Janet shined in her work as a dependable and compassionate home health care aide for 29 years and loved caring for people. More recently, she enjoyed volunteering at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop and at the Marion Palace Theatre.
Above all, Janet delighted most in being with her family. Her grandchildren know well the joys of spending time at “Gram’s” including fun (and messy) arts and crafts, walks to The Jer-Zee for ice cream, long playground afternoons, staying up late with cheddar cheese popcorn in wooden bowls, lots of books at bedtime, and, most especially, morning pancake breakfasts. Janet was an amazing host for holidays always making sure that everyone felt welcome, had a gift under the tree and a stocking with their name on it, and, most importantly, enough homemade buckeyes and popcorn balls.
Janet loved her summers in Wisconsin with her family in the Northwoods and Sturgeon Bay in Door County. She always adored planning lovely family reunions (the most recent one was in August in Marion) and bringing together her sons and their families.
Janet cherished her local “family” of friends in Marion enjoying pot lucks, Senior Center activities and trips, exercise at the YMCA, typing email updates to her family and prayer group.
Third only to Janet’s Catholic faith and devotion to family and friends was her loyalty as a fan of the Green Bay Packers and the Cleveland Indians baseball team. Go Tribe!
Janet/Gram/Mom will be sadly missed by family and many friends.
Special thanks to Dr. Lodawala and his Staff, HomeInstead Senior Care, Kindred Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Marion General Hospital Staff and Kindred Hospice for all their loving care and support.
Visitation will be held from 4 until 7 pm Monday, October 3, 2016 at Gunder/Hall & Snyder Funeral Home, 347 W. Center St., Marion, with a Rosary prayer service at 4 pm. A 10 am Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Thomas Buffer Tuesday, October 4, 2016 a St. Mary Catholic Church, 251 N. Main St., Marion. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Janet requested that donations be made in her memory to St. Mary’s Catholic Church (memorial masses), the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (www.themmrf.org) or www.Endowgroups.org.
Gunder/Hall & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the Kraschinsky family. Online memories and condolences may be expressed by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
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