Grace Slifka, 81

Nov. 26, 1935 —

 April 6, 2017

 

CRESCO -  Grace C. Slifka, age 81, of Cresco, Iowa passed away on April 6, 2017 at Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, Wis.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Cresco, with Father Dennis Cain officiating. Burial was in New Oregon Township Cemetery in Cresco. 

Memorials may be directed to Notre Dame School or Notre Dame Parish.

Grace Catherine Lukes was born Nov. 26, 1935 to Rudolph and Albina (Riha) Lukes in Chickasaw County near Protivin, Iowa. She attended St. Rudolphinium High School, where she was a star player on the women’s basketball team. After graduating in 1954, Grace fell in love with Max Slifka. They were married on Oct. 6, 1956 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. She became the proud mother of four boys and filled her days making her home a special place for family. She found delight in gardening, canning and creating a baking repertoire that included kolaches, chocolate chip cookies and oatmeal raisin cookies.

Grace was a valued worker for the Howard-Winneshiek Community School District for 33 years and at Notre Dame Catholic School for 15 years. Employed as a food service specialist, Grace loved preparing and serving food for children. She cared for the children as if they were her own and is fondly remembered by many whose school days were brightened by her warmth and kindness. 

When Grace was not singing in the Notre Dame church choir, she enjoyed tapping her toes to polka music by the likes of Mollie B. and Daniel O’Donnell. In her free time, Grace collected cardinals and crocheted. Above all, Grace’s pride and joy was her family. It was rare for her to miss the activities and events of her children and grandchildren. She spent many hours cheering at football games, wrestling meets, baseball games, volleyball games, softball games and avidly supporting them at their band and choir concerts.

She is survived by her husband, Max of Cresco; sons, Steve (Sheila) Slifka of Cresco, Scott (Annette) Slifka of Center Point, Iowa, Sam (Sharon) Slifka of Antioch, Tenn. and Terry Jay “T.J.” (Kris) Slifka of Lime Springs, Iowa; grandchildren, Travis (Haley) Slifka, Trevor (fiancé, Skyler Santee) Slifka, Kyle (Stephannie) Slifka, Shan-non Slifka, Megan (Kyle) Michelsen, Brandon Slifka, Max Slifka, Mike (Lauren) Slifka, Kate Slifka, Jack Slifka, Connor Slifka and Matthew Slifka; great-grandchildren, Colton Slifka, Aiden Slifka, Crew Santee, Archie Slifka and Brayden Michelsen; several nieces and nephews; and numerous friends. 

Grace was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Leonard, Alice, Doris and Marvin.