Lorraine Pavelcik

Lorraine Pavelcik passed away peacefully at home on October 5, 2024.

Lorraine was born in 1933, in rural Kenosha Wisconsin to Anthony and Rose Mary (Mueller) Denig, however she lived most of her life in Racine Wisconsin. She attended St. Mary’s Grade school and St. Catherine’s High School. She later went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, and a master’s degree from Northwestern University in Evanston Il.

Lorraine married her high school sweetheart, Joseph Pavelcik in 1957. After their wedding they spent 10 weeks touring 7 countries in Europe, mostly staying in youth hostels. Lorraine spoke fondly of that trip her entire life.

Lorraine taught 1st, 2nd or 3rd grade for more than 30 years. Lorraine’s teaching career included working five years at Lincoln Elementary School in Kenosha, and then 29 years in Racine at both Roosevelt Elementary and Wind Point Elementary Schools. Lorraine retired from teaching in the late 1980’s.

Lorraine and Joe spent many summers at their cottage, which had been built by her father and brother on Lake Winnebago. She loved reading, sitting on the pier watching sunsets at the cottage and enjoyed the company of her neighbors and friends there.

Lorraine was a long-time member of St. Rita’s parish, where she taught CCD classes for 22 years, and sang in the church choir. She enjoyed other volunteer work helping at the Racine Area Marian Center and the Racine Literacy Council. She supported charitable organizations including environmental groups, missionary groups, and religious groups. She especially endeavored to help educate poor children in various underdeveloped countries by supporting missionary schools.

Lorraine loved her nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and tried to stay close to them throughout her life.

Some of Lorraine’s greatest interests were reading, music, theater, bridge, history and travel.

Lorraine is survived by her Sister, Roseanne (the late John) Worrell; Nieces, Paula (the late Jon) Barrett, Susan (Jim) Behling; Nephew, James (Kay) Denig, Great Nieces, Megan (Jahir) Drago, Karisa Denig, Savannah (Zach) Barnes, Freya Krupp (Rain Hunter), Rachel Krupp (Dan Sargent), Great Nephews, Sawyer Denig, Tony Krupp, Corey (Kelli) Krupp; And many nieces, nephews, and other relatives from her husband’s side of the family, as well as many dear friends. Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents, Rose Mary Denig, Anthony Denig; Husband, Joseph Pavelcik; Brother, John Denig; Sister-in-law, Loretta Denig; Brother-in-law, John Worrell.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St Rita Church 4339 Douglas Ave, on Tuesday October 15, 2024, 5:30 p.m.. Visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. until time of Mass at 5:30 p.m. Entombment will take place at Holy Cross Mausoleum in Racine In lieu of flowers donations in Lorraine’s honor can be made to St Rita Catholic Church, 4339 Douglas Ave, Racine WI, 53402 or to The Pillars at Crystal Bay in Racine (attn: Rachel Herzog) 3950 N. Main Street Racine, WI 53402 for the benefit of the caregivers who became like a family to Lorraine.