Milwaukee native Eugene Krasno of Whitefish Bay died of complications from a stroke, Jan. 10. He was 83.
According to his family, he “grew up in [his parents’, Tony and Leah Krasno’s] Krasno Bakery.” A 1941 graduate of North Division High School, he earned a Distinguished Flying Cross as a navigator in the North African and European campaigns in World War II, they said.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he worked briefly in the piano business and then became a builder, they said.
He was a member of Congregation Beth Israel, where he served on the board of directors, and of many other organizations including The Wisconsin Society for Jewish Learning, Jewish War Veterans, Southern Poverty Law Center and Sierra Club.
His family said that he was “a devoted husband, father and grandfather, who always put family first. He was also a strong Milwaukee booster and was very active in the community.” His volunteer work included the Jewish Community Food Pantry and tutoring English as a second language.
“Gene will be remembered for his warmth, his sense of humor, his capacity to enjoy life to its fullest and for his loyalty and devotion to his many friends,” they said.
He is survived by wife Suzanne Biller Krasno; son, Jonathan (Amy) Krasno of New York City and Binghamton, N.Y.; daughter Anita (Dan Hobson) Krasno of Madison; sisters Harriet Schendlinger of Milwaukee and Rhoda Tannenbaum of Phoenix, Ariz.; and two grandchildren.
Rabbi Jacob Herber officiated at funeral services at Congregation Beth Israel, Jan. 13. Burial was in Second Home Cemetery.
Memorials to Congregation Beth Israel or the Wisconsin Society for Jewish Learning would be appreciated by the family.
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