Effie JoAnn Cartrette

With her family by her side, Effie JoAnn Cartrette, age 77, passed away peacefully Monday evening, June 23, 2025 at her residence. Effie was born in Whiteville, NC on May 12, 1948, daughter of the late Richard “RB” and Claire (nee: Ward) Harrelson.

Effie moved to Racine in 1997. Effie was united in marriage to Francesco “Frank” DeRango in Racine on August 30, 2016. In her spare time, she enjoyed cooking, going for rides in search of new meals, wrestling and spending time at home with her family.

Effie will be dearly missed by her husband, Frank DeRango; children, Donna Nellis and her son, Josh Mueller, Tammie (Frank) Valente and her children, the late Giovanni DeRango, Carter Rivera -Santiago, Nicco DeRango Sr and his children, Mila, Nala and Nicco Jr., and Donald Cartrette Jr. and his children, Brandon, Zachary and Logan; and their newest addition to the family, great granddaughter, Autumn Grace Cartrette; Frank’s children, Frank (Jessica) DeRango Jr. and his children, Madeline and Luigi; brother, Bruce (Kathy) Harrelson; -in-laws, Rose (Jerry Lloyd) DeRango, Nancy DeRango, and Tony (Brenda) DeRango and family; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, Effie was also preceded in death by her siblings, Richard (Claire) Harrelson and Joyce (Charles) DuBoise; her grandson, Giovanni DeRango; her daughter-in-law, Tina Cartrette; and her former husband and friend, Donald W. Cartrette Sr.

Per Effie’s wishes, private family services were held with entombment at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Effie’s caretakers who she affectionately nicknamed, Red, Big Momma and Cupcake, for their loving and compassionate care.