Genevieve M. Hostak

RACINE - Genevieve M. Hostak (nee: Pribyl) 95, passed away on December 4th, 2025, at St. Monica’s Assisted Living and Memory Care with family by her side.

She was born on May 26, 1930, in Tisch Mills, WI to George and Tillie (nee: Stangel) Pribyl. Gen was raised on the family farm, and stated “I’ll dance with farmers, but I will never marry one.” After Kenneth Hostak returned from the Korean War, they were married on August 20, 1955, and they shared 50 years of marriage until his death in 2005. Gen loved to travel, and together Gen and Ken traveled to 26 countries. After Ken’s passing Gen continued traveling including an African safari and the Costa Rican rainforest.

Genevieve attended Milwaukee Teachers College and obtained a bachelor's degree in early childhood education. In order to attend college, she lived with her aunt and uncle, and her mother saved money from egg sales to help pay her tuition. Gen was a member of the Sigma, Sigma, Sigma sorority. After graduation, Gen taught kindergarten at schools in Madison and Milwaukee until the birth of her children.

Gen was a multi-talented woman. Her talents and skills were varied including gardening, sewing, quilting, genealogy, and cooking. Gen sewed clothes for herself and her daughters. Her quilting skills were only surpassed by her roomful “stash” of fabric and quilting supplies. During the Christmas holiday, Gen baked thousands of cookies every year and the brandy ladened fruitcakes. Gen was blessed with a green thumb and could preserve her own fruits and vegetables. Her jams and jellies were especially delicious.

Gen was the family historian of her generation. Gen would gather family facts and photos at every family gathering. She amassed a huge collection and made sure her children knew their ancestors who emigrated from Bohemia to Wisconsin.

Gen enjoyed sports. She played basketball with her high school friends at lunch time break. She was an avid tennis player and later loved golfing. Gen also swam regularly at the YWCA.

Gen had been a member of St. Mary’s by the Lake Catholic Church until she moved to St. Monica’s and attended masses in the chapel on site. She was active in many activities and clubs including: American Association of University Women (AAUW), the Women’s Philanthropic Education Organization (PEO), Racine Garden Club, Lighthouse Quilters, Meadowbrook Country Club, and the prior North Shore Tennis and Swim Club.

Survivors include her three daughters: Diane (John) Jens of Racine, WI; Karen (Joseph) McCusker of Naples, FL; and Mary (Genichi) Kakefuda of Chapel Hill, NC; and six grandchildren: David (Aliza) Jens of Mequon, WI; Katherine Jens of Middleton, WI; Joseph (Rose) McCusker, Jr. of Detroit, MI; Anne McCusker of Washington DC; Taiyo Kakefuda of Tonami, Japan; and Seiji Kakefuda of Raleigh, NC. In addition, survivors include a sister-in-law Annette Pribyl of Brookfield, WI; and brothers and sisters-in-law: Marietta Hostak of Houston TX; Alban (Irene) Hostak of DePere, WI; and Mary Ann Hostak of Santa Fe, NM, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Gen was preceded in death by her parents, in-laws Edward and Vivian Hostak; two brothers: Donald Pribyl and Marvin Pribyl; sister-in-law Rita Pribyl; brothers and sisters in-law: Joseph Hostak, Leon (Doris) Hostak, David Hostak, James (Mary) Hostak, Madonna (Lee) Michaletz, and Richard Angelos.

The family would like to thank St. Monica’s Assisted Living and Memory Care, as well as St. Croix Hospice for the phenomenal care provided to Gen during the last years of her life.

A private family memorial service will be held in the future in Naples FL.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Monica’s Assisted Living, St. Croix Hospice or American Association of University Women (AAUW) of Racine Scholarship fund.