Shirley J. Chmielewski

Shirley J. Chmielewski (nee Krebs), age 91, went home to the Lord on September 13, 2026, with her daughter by her side.

Shirley was born June 8, 1935, in Sidney, Ohio, the oldest child and only daughter of Eugene and Velma (Liess) Krebs, who raised her alongside her three younger brothers on the family dairy farm. She and her brothers were active in 4-H, showing cattle at county and state fairs, a real family affair that gave her lifelong pride in her Ohio roots.

Shirley was a graduate of Holy Angels High School in Sidney, Ohio, where she was an honor student. Though offered a scholarship to Mt. St. Joseph, she turned it down to pursue a career in the airline industry, attending Humboldt Airline School in Minneapolis before accepting a job with North Central Airlines, later Republic Airlines, at Mitchell Field in Milwaukee. It was there that she met her husband. She retired after five years to marry and start her family.

On June 22, 1957, she married Carl F. Chmielewski at Immaculate Conception Parish in Botkins, Ohio. After 28 years of marriage, they divorced but remained good friends for the rest of their lives.

Together, they had four children: Jeffrey (Kandie) Chmielewski; Cynthia Becker (Bob K); Kristine (David) Ricchio; and Peggy (MSG Brian) Naseman.

She was blessed with eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Her greatest love was her grandchildren. She took great pride in watching them grow and mature, graduate from high school and college, and begin their careers and lives. Although their accomplishments sometimes meant less time spent together, she always looked forward to seeing what they would accomplish next. She said, “I am proud of all of them. They each shine in their own light. May God always be with you.”

Shirley also worked for many years at The Grand on Mitchell Street in the credit and collection department, at JI Case in the purchasing department, and part-time at Lepps Department Store, before beginning a real estate career that spanned more than 30 years serving the Racine area. In real estate, she received the Hall of Fame Award from RE/MAX, served as past president of the Board of Realtors, was named Realtor of the Year several times, and chaired numerous committees during her tenure.

Her retirement years were devoted to volunteerism. She often said, “that if just one person gave an hour a day or a week, it would make the world a better place”. She volunteered for more than 25 + years, volunteering at All Saints Hospital, serving as Chairman of Women of St. Ed’s, two years as President of Volunteers in Partnership, past secretary of the Plum Ridge Park Association, President of the Women’s Civic Council, and was active in the Catholic Women’s Club and the Zoological Society. She served as a trustee of her parish for eight years, sat on the Common Council for many years, and was treasurer of Women of St. Ed’s.

Music and singing brought her joy whenever she could indulge in them, and she loved plays, shows, and musicals, a passion that led her to the Racine Theatre Guild, where she cherished the variety of productions. Additionally, she participated in Capers which included singing, dancing, and performing.

Travel was one of her great delights. In her younger years, she journeyed with friends and groups throughout Europe, including the Netherlands, London, Amsterdam, Germany, and Italy, as well as China and 34 of the United States. She always hoped to visit Washington, D.C. but never made the trip.

Among her fondest memories were the summers she spent, while her father was still living, at a dude ranch in Wyoming and Colorado with her mother, several nieces and nephews, and her daughter. She loved horseback riding in the mountains and always said, “it was the closest thing to heaven, being at the top of the Great Divide”.

Friendship meant everything to Shirley, and she was known for her loyalty and warmth toward the many friends she gathered over a lifetime, from her parish, her Bunco and card-playing circles, the Racine Theatre Guild, and her 30-plus years in real estate.

Shirley is survived by Jeffrey (Kandie) Chmielewski; Cynthia Becker; Kristine (David) Ricchio; and Peggy Naseman.

Her eight grandchildren Angie (Phil) Ricchio, Bridget (Douglas “DJ”) Ricchio-Schneider, Emily (Myles) Spiegel, Shelby (Cody) Dummer, Kelly (Nick) Schwalbach, Lindsey (Zach) Wilson, Cole (Sydney) Naseman, and Carter Naseman.

Her great-grandchildren Payton, Taytum, Camden, Ruby, Nora, Mila, Teddy, Tucker, Levi, Danica, Brayden, Taylor, Austin, and a new great grandson is expected to arrive in December.

She is also survived by her brothers, Leo (Paula) Krebs and Robert (Barbara) Krebs, and sister-in-law Judy Krebs, all of Ohio, along with many nieces and nephews throughout Ohio, Illinois, Tennessee, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her ex-husband, Carl; her youngest brother, Wayne; her son-in-law, MSG Brian Naseman; and Bob Kniebuehler.

A visitation will be held Friday, October 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., with a service following at 11:00 a.m. at St. Edward Catholic Church, 1425 Grove Avenue, Racine, WI 53405.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Nancy Wiese, Sienna Center and St. Croix Hospice Care for their kindness and compassion.