Obituaries, April 2020 | Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle

Obituaries, April 2020

Christine Lorraine Abrams

Christine Lorraine Abrams of Waukon, Iowa, died on Feb. 29, 2020 at the age of 73.

She was predeceased by her husband, Jerrald Abrams. She is survived by her children, Micah (Kaitlyn) and Jacob Abrams and her grandchildren, Shay and Anna Abrams, as well as her brother Edwin Zielinski. She is also survived by loving relatives and dear friends in Iowa and Wisconsin.

A graveside service was held on March 2 at Agudas Achim Cemetery. Rabbi Menachem Rapoport and Rabbi Dovid Rapoport officiated the service, with Goodman-Bensman Funeral Home assisting. Memorial contributions welcome to Joseph and Rebecca Peltz Center for Jewish Life, 2233 Mequon Rd., Mequon, WI 53092.

Edward B. Elkon

Edward B. Elkon of Milwaukee died on Jan. 21, 2020 at the age of 97.

Beloved husband of the late Elaine Elkon (nee Gronik). Loving father of Barbara (Glen Kofler) Elkon and the late Arthur Elkon. Proud grandfather of Jacob Sindic. He is further survived by his longtime companion Evelyn Grapek and her son, Howard Grapek.

Edward was born in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. He graduated from St. John’s Military Academy in Delafield and served in Army Infantry during WWII. He met Elaine at University of Wisconsin – Madison, and after they were married, he joined the family business, the Jack Gronik Company, until his retirement in the late 1980s.

He was an avid fisherman and golfer, and got a hole-in-one at age 90. Edward was an active member of Congregation Emanu-El Bne Jeshurun, and especially enjoyed the Men’s Club. He volunteered with the Milwaukee Jewish Food Pantry, the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and Society for Jewish Learning.

Private services were held at Mound Zion Cemetery and Rabbi Marc Berkson officiated. Memorial contributions to Jewish Community Food Pantry, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Milwaukee, WI 53217 appreciated.

Gerald Fishman

Gerald Fishman of Mequon died Feb. 13, 2020 at age 86.

Gerald is survived by loving wife, Carole Fishman (nee Glass). Dear father of Mark (Naureen) Fishman and Howard (Stacey) Fishman. He was the cherished grandfather of Elizabeth, Jane and Cole Fishman. He was preceded in death by brothers Sheldon and Samuel Fishman. Further survived by sister-in-law Bobbi Fishman, other relatives, and friends.

Graveside services, led by Rabbi Marc Berkson, were on Feb. 16 at Spring Hill Cemetery. The family was assisted by Blane Goodman Funeral Service. Memorial contributions are appreciated to the American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association.

Josephine Libetta Grant

Josephine Libetta Grant of Milwaukee died on Feb. 16, 2020 at the age of 90.

Beloved wife of the late Jerome Grant. Cherished mother of Francine Grant, Sandra Grant and the late Pamela Lager. Further survived by six grandchildren, other loving relatives and dear friends.

A graveside service was held on Feb.18, at Mound Zion Cemetery with Rabbi Jenn Mangold officiating. Memorial contributions to Jewish National Fund or the charity of your choice are appreciated. Goodman-Bensman Funeral Home assisted the family.

Marcia M. Katz

Marcia M. Katz (nee Minkin) died March 6, 2020 at the age of 83.

Marcia was the beloved wife of the late Ruby. Loving mother of Lawrence (Lisa) Katz, the late Robert Katz, Helaine (Alan) Ratskoff and Howard (Jill) Katz. She was the proud bubbe of Rebecca, Sarah (fiancé Alex Canter), Hannah Neubauer; Elliot (fiancé Courtney Deer) Katz, Genna (Corey) Friedman; Marlee and Ilana Katz; Hayden and Lily Katz; Jason (Robbyn) Ratskoff. Great-grandmother to Cooper, Charli, Jocelyn Ratskoff, and Leo Friedman. Cherished sister of the late Gilbert (late Enid) Minkin, Sandra (significant other Edward Blumberg) Weinstein and Michael (Janet) Minkin. She was the dear sisterin-law of Rachel (Jerome) Cornfield, Judith Katz and Rosalie (Alan) Pemberton. Aunt of many loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were led by Rabbi Morris Zimbalist on March 8 at The Chapel in Shorewood. Burial was at Anshai Lebowitz Cemetery, Milwaukee. Blane Goodman Funeral Service assisted the family. Memorial contributions are appreciated to the Jewish United Fund in Chicago.

Irven Ladish

Irven Ladish of Milwaukee died Feb. 18, 2020 at the age of 85.

Irven is survived by beloved wife Tamara Rybkina-Ladish, dear brother of Joan (the late Clifford) Keller. He was the loving uncle of Daniel (Veronika) Keller, Richard (Yelena) Keller, Michael Keller and Marla (Thomas) Czechowski. He is further survived by Virginia Little, Werner Benjamin, Al Cohl and other dear friends and loving relatives.

A graveside service was held on Feb. 20 at Second Home Cemetery. Memorial contributions made to the charity of your choice are appreciated. Rabbi Jenn Mangold officiated at the service with assistance by Goodman-Bensman Funeral Home.

Gennady “Gene” Levshetz

Gennady “Gene” Levshetz, of Mequon, tragically died on Feb. 26, 2020 in the workplace shooting at Molson Coors in Milwaukee. He was 61.

Gene worked at Molson Coors as a boiler operator and was educated as an engineer. Gene will be remembered as the best husband, dad and dede. He was a kind, caring and giving person who always put his family’s needs before his own.

Gene was the beloved husband of Alina Levshetz (nee Goldina) and cherished father of Tanya (Steve) Paler and Becca Levshetz. He was the proud grandfather of Hannah Paler and Benny Paler and dear brother of Anna (Moysey) Tsypkin. He is further survived by many other close relatives and friends.

The funeral service was held on March 1 at Congregation Shalom, with Rabbi Noah Chertkoff. The burial followed at Mound Zion Cemetery. The family was assisted by Goodman-Bensman Funeral Home. Memorial contributions to the National MS Society, Congregation Shalom or the charity of your choice would be appreciated.

Lee Singer

Lee Singer (nee Yablansky) of Mequon died on Feb. 7, 2020 at age 104.

Lee was preceded in death by her husband Sol Singer. Loving mother of Jaye (Mike) Joseph and dear grandmother of Barrie (Rob) Henken and Steve (Liane) Joseph. Adoring great-grandmother of Danny (Rachael) Henken, Ben Henken, Rachel Joseph, and David Joseph. She is further survived by many other adoring relatives and friends. Special thanks to Deb Johnson, Patty Loomans, Susan Skirko, and nursing staff at Ovation Sarah Chudnow; Lisa Boerner and Angie Lemke from Horizon Home Care and Hospice and Dr. Dirk Steinert.

Rabbi Steven Adams served the family at a private burial at Mound Zion Cemetery. Blane Goodman Funeral Service assisted. Memorial contributions to a charity of your choice are appreciated.