Grace C. Chmela

Grace Charlotte (Yeske) Chmela, 95, passed away Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023 at home, surrounded by family.

Born Dec. 6, 1927 in West Salem, Wi., to Edwin and Hazel (Thurston) Yeske, the family moved to Chicago, Ill. and then she moved to Marinette where she married her husband, Roy Chmela, on Nov. 27, 1948 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Marinette.

She was a homemaker for her growing family, and worked for many years for the school lunch program at Marinette High School and also worked at the voting polls for the City of Marinette.

She enjoyed crocheting afghans for her family and cherished all visits from family members near and far, but her greatest joy was her family, especially the babies. A member of Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church until her passing, she loved reading her Bible, singing hymns, was very active in Trinity’s Ladies Aide for many years and her faith was very strong, which it sustained her throughout her life. The last several years after Church, Sunday breakfasts at their house became a family tradition that she looked forward to each week.

She enjoyed baking, trying new recipes, was an avid Green Bay Packers fan, cheering them on happily and she loved getting flowers for her birthday, Mother’s Day or anytime. She was part of a group of women called “The Card Club”, which were some of her closest friends and they played a monthly game of pinochle, closing the year out by going to dinner with their husbands and going “Christmas treeing” to see each others homes.

Survivors include her husband of 74 years, Roy; six children, Mike (Linda) Chmela, Linda (Russ) Christensen, Kenneth (Denise) Chmela, Mary Beyer, Amy (Matthew) Vanko and Betty Jansen; 21 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, David Chmela; a son-in-law, Thomas Beyer; a brother, Alfred Yeske and a sister, Vivian Sallgren.

Visitation will be held at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. until the time of funeral services at 11:30 a.m., with Rev. Paul Cole officiating. Entombment will be in Glenwood Memorial Gardens. Hansen Onion Martell Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.