Obituary: Gertrude Banaszak

Gertrude Banaszak, of Waukesha, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Oct. 10, 2013, at St. Camillus Assisted Living, Wauwatosa at the age of 93 years. 

Gertrude was born in Milwaukee, on January 24, 1920 the daughter of Steven and Mary (Budnik) Mrozinski. Growing up on Lincoln Avenue on the south side of Milwaukee, Gert is fondly remembered as a “city girl” who had an “open heart-open home” policy when it came to welcoming her children’s friends and other family. Gert enjoyed nothing more than a marathon night of card-playing with family and friends, and is remembered as a master when it came to playing Pinochle, Cribbage, Sheep’s Head, Canasta and Euchre. Over the years Gert also enjoyed working at the old Gimbles Department Store delicatessen and later at Michaels Department Store in downtown Waukesha. Gertrude was united in marriage on February 22, 1941 at St. Josephat’s Bascillica to Stephen Banaszak. They lived in Milwaukee until 1955, when they then moved to Waukesha. Her grandchildren remember regular excursions to Dairy Queen with “Nana” as well as her fun-loving give-and-take when it came to a good joke and affectionate teasing. Gert was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. As a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Christian Women’s group, Gert was always ready to step in to cook and otherwise assist in meeting the practical needs of fellow parishoners. At the time of her death, Gert was looking forward to the upcoming arrival of her seventh great-grandchild.

Gertrude will be deeply missed by her children, Allan (Geraldine) Banaszak of Jefferson, Sharon (Eckhard) Schleicher of Brookfield, Roger (Kathy) Banaszak of Waukesha, Gregory (Jane) Banaszak of Waukesha, Mary (David) Schmidt of New Berlin, and Rene (John) Ranic of Mukwonago; loving Nana to Lisa (David) Holzman, Peter (Mary) Schleicher, Katie (Tyson) Wenger, Laura (Matt) Weimer, Lea Schmidt and fiancé Lou and Trevor Schmidt, Nick (Leilani) Banaszak, Becky and Daniel Banaszak and Corinne and Joshua Ranic; Great-Nana to Jacob, Danielle and Paige Schleicher, Katherine and Callie Holzman and Brayden Weimer. Also surviving are nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Stephen, parents, two brothers, Ervin and Eugene Mrozinski and by one sister, Magdaline.

The visitation for Gertrude will be held on Monday, October 14, 2013 from 9 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 225 S. Hartwell Avenue, Waukesha, WI 53186. The Reverend Howard Haase will be officiating. Entombment will immediately follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Gertrude may be given to the  Food Pantry of Waukesha County, 1301 Sentry Drive, Waukesha, WI, 53186, St. Camillus Assisted Living, 10100 Bluemound Road, Wauwatosa, WI, 53226, VITAS Hospice Service, 2675 N. Mayfair Road, Suite 500, Wauwatosa, WI, 53226, or to the American Cancer Society, N19W24350 Riverwood Drive, Waukesha, WI, 53188.

The family of Gertrude would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at St. Camillus Assisted Living and VITAS Hospice Service for the compassionate and professional care provided to their mother. 

Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, Cremation and Pre-Planning Services are serving the family.  For the online obituary or to leave a condolence, please visit http://www.WaukeshasFuneralHome.com, or call 262-542-6609.