Stella May Pelikan

Racine - Stella May Pelikan, 95, passed away peacefully at Aurora St. Luke's South Shore Hospital in Cudahy on Wednesday April 17, 2013 with her loving family by her side. Stella was born in Racine on May 24, 1917, the daughter of the late Iva (nee: Jacobson) Anderson, graduating from Washington Park High School in 1935. A devote Catholic, she believed in the Lord God as her Savior & was very proud of her Danish heritage. In her early years she worked at J.I Case Company until 1947 when she met & married Allen (Ely) A. Duffeck. Their marriage produced four children. Allen died prematurely in 1955. After Allen's passing, she was employed for many years with Lehmann's Bakery where she affectionately called everyone 'honey'. In 1979, Stella married Milton Pelikan, a U.S. diplomat whose post was the American Embassy in Mexico. Milt passed away in 1981 after a wonderful three years of marriage. Stella devoted her life to her children & was instrumental in helping them achieve success in their diverse lives. Mom always had a smile on her face, a wonderful sense of humor & a beautiful singing voice. Stella enjoyed many activities, doing crossword puzzles, watching movies. Every book was the "best book she ever read"! A voracious reader of both classic & contemporary novels, she also enjoyed stimulating conversations about current events. Mom loved cooking & creating new recipes. Loved her Packers & always looked forward to watching Sunday afternoon games. Stella leaves behind a brother, Harry (Ruth) Anderson of Racine; four children Michael Duffeck (Martha) of Columbia Mo., David (Valerie) Duffeck of Racine, Mary (Robert) Nelson of Racine, & Robert (Suzanne) Duffeck of Waukesha; grandchildren, Tony & Sarah Duffeck, David & Daniel Duffeck & Adam (Shereen) Schmidt; great grandchildren Nic & Alex Schmidt & many other extended family members. Stella was preceded in death by her enduring sister Doris (Myron) Payne, grandson "her angel" Shaymus Guinn & her beloved cat Molly. Funeral services in honor of Stella will be held at Wilson Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 12:00pm with Fr. Terry Huebner officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery-Hwy. 32. Relatives and friends are invited to meet the family on Tuesday at the funeral home from 10:00am until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Shaymus Guinn Foundation, www.shaymusguinnfoundation.org Stella lived life to the fullest & was quite frankly the kindest person you would have ever met. She will be sadly missed by her family all who knew her. Many thanks to all her St. Luke's caregivers for their kindness & support & her Bay Pointe home staff & caregivers.

Stella May Pelikan

May 24, 1917 - April 17, 2013