Julaine A. Svacina

Sept. 10, 1931 - March 17, 2009

Julaine A. Svacina, 77, of Richland Center, passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 17, 2009, at Pine Valley Rehabilitation Center with her children at her side. She was born Sept. 10, 1931, in Waukesha, the daughter of William and Esther (Schnitzler) Christenson, the eldest of three children.

She grew up on a rural farm in North Prairie. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a bachelor’s degree in home economics. She taught for the Kickapoo School District in West Lima, where she met and married Arnold Svacina. They had two children, Steven and Tammy. She was actively involved in the PTA, Homemakers and various volunteer organizations throughout her life. While no longer in education full-time, she continued her desire to teach by instructing cake-decorating classes part-time at the high school. After divorcing in 1976, she went back to school and graduated with a LPN degree from Southwest Technical College. She loved caring for the elderly and worked at the Bethel Nursing Home and at Richland Hospital, from which she retired. Julaine enjoyed all types of needlework, cooking, sewing, making wedding cakes and gardening.Her greatest joy was being a mom to her children.

Survivors include her son, Steve Svacina of Viola; daughter, Tammy Svacina of West Allis; brother, Charles Christenson of North Prairie; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Janet Smart; and a niece, Jill.

Memorial services will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 20 at the Pratt Memorial Chapel. Burial will be held at the North Prairie Cemetery in Waukesha County. Friends may call from 4:30 p.m. until the time of the services Friday.

Pratt Funeral Service is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.prattfuneralservice.com.