Eunice Mary Pekarske, 96, a resident of Manitowoc, passed in peace at her residence on Sunday, August 1, 2021.
She was born on a stormy night, November 21, 1924 in her grandparent’s farmhouse in Rockland, WI to the late Frederick J. Rappel and Mary K. (Logan) Rappel.
Eunice attended St. Boniface Catholic Grade School, Washington Jr. High School, and was a proud graduate of Manitowoc Lincoln High School’s Class of 1942. She remained active in their reunion planning until there was no one left to reunite.
She met a young man from the Northside of town at Lincoln High and he began to come courting in the winter of 1940. They attended Proms, went to the movies (there were four theaters in Manitowoc then) and began collecting records together. The young man was called to military service in July of 1943 and while on furlough in 1944, he proposed.
On March 5, 1945, Eunice married John “Jack” A. Pekarske at Fort Bliss, El Paso, TX. They enjoyed a 59 year union raising children, running a business, traveling, golfing and listening to that ever-expanding record collection they started back in High School. Jack preceded her in death on February 20, 2005.
They were blessed with nine children, Patricia (Thomas) Ciha, Wooster, OH; Michael (Maren) Pekarske, Appleton; Kathryn (Norb) Masterlark, Manitowoc; Mary (Ron) Lese, Larrabee; John (Estella) Pekarske, Jefferson, GA; Joseph (Mary) Pekarske, Pensacola, FL; James Pekarske, Centennial, CO; and Nancy (Bob) DeWitt, Manitowoc. Eunice was sadly preceded in death by her 3rd born child, Reverend Daniel Pekarske SDS on September 27, 2016.
Eunice was a woman of deep faith who believed in the power of prayer and in treating all things with respect and kindness. She was a long-standing member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish and the St. Clare Society.
She was also a tireless volunteer and so enjoyed giving back to her community. Eunice fostered over 20 children even though she had a houseful of her own, was a Treasurer for Meals on Wheels, volunteered at the Capital Civic Center, sold SCRIPT at the Parish Office, read for Story Time at the Manitowoc Public Library, and donated funds to build wells in Africa. She was unceasingly present for family, friends and strangers alike.
A library book and a thousand piece puzzle were always in some stage of completion at Eunice’s home. She enjoyed her monthly lunch with the Beer Drinking Ladies and watching golf, Badger basketball and Packer football on her small TV.
In addition to her eight children, Eunice is survived by 15 grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, 10 step-great grandchildren, a great-great granddaughter and another on the way. Two sisters-in-law also survive: Dorris (John) Rappel and Bette (Tom) Rappel; along with numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her sister, Dorothy Sepnieski; two brothers, John and Tom Rappel; and her dear grandson, Philip Pekarske.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 9, 2021 at St. Francis of Assisi on Waldo, 1121 North 14th Street, Manitowoc???. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Ben Johnson with burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Manitowoc. A luncheon for family and friends will then be held at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center located on the south property of the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home. The family will greet relatives and friends at St. Francis of Assisi on Waldo on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials in Eunice’s name.
The family wishes to thank the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice Center for the amazing care they provided Eunice which allowed her to stay in the home she loved. Bless you all for the unbelievably challenging work you do.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
