Isabelle Ptaschinski, 97, of 1016 Madison Street and Charleston House Memory Care passed on to her heavenly home on September 6, 2014.
Isabelle was born at home in Beaver Dam on September 3, 1918 to Victor and Mary (Parecki) Klukaczewski. She attended school in Beaver Dam and St. Mary’s Catholic School in Colby, WI. At age l5 she returned to Beaver Dam and lived and worked with the Manthey Family looking after their children and helping cook for the thrashing crews at South Beaver Dam. She worked at Weyembery Shoe Factory from l944 until her retirement in l976.
On January 27, l945 Isabelle married the one love of her life Ray “Happy” Ptaschinski at St. Michael’s Church in Beaver Dam. Together doing everything from putting up walls, making cupboards, mixing mortar, laying hardwood floors, they built the home that they lived in together for 61 years. Issy enjoyed tending a huge garden and giving family, friends, and even strangers produce all summer. She enjoyed sewing and crafts.
In l976 Issy began her most beloved of all careers-babysitting daily for her two grandchildren. After they were older, Issy and Happy volunteered at their niece’s Earthshine Candle Shop wicking thousands of votive candles a day. Isabelle was a member of St. Katharine Drexel Parish, the Daughters of Isabella, a volunteer for parish funeral dinners, and a Hillside Manor volunteer.
Isabelle is survived by her daughter Sandra (Harold) Kaul, grandchildren Stephanie (Paul) Dobek and Christopher (Amanda) Kaul, great grandchildren Katie Dobek, Nathaniel Kaul, and Jaidelynn Wheeler, sister Verna Barodte of Sterling Heights Michigan, sister-in-law Jean Wadleigh, brother-in-law Clarence Cullen, nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 2005 and brothers Joseph and Edward and sisters Helen Frost, Viola Zimmerman, Lucille Hill, Mary Trexler, and Phyllis Cullen.
In keeping with Isabelle and her family’s wishes there will be no visitation. A special intention Mass will be said on Monday, October 13, 2014 at 8:20 a.m at St. Katharine Drexel Church. Memorials in Isabelle’s name may be given to St. Katharine Drexel or Trosten Haus.
