Sophie L. Ronkowski Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

(nee Grabczyk) Passed away peacefully July 8, 2019 at the age of 99 years. Loving mother of Kathie (George Schmitz) Obermann, Christine (Peter) Mueller and the late Carole (Tom) Plewa. Dear grandma of Cherie, Joe, Deb, Dawn, Brian and Julie. Great grandma of Cyrene (Amanda), Alicia, Anna, Asher, Matthew, Cece, Ellie and Billy. Great-great grandma of Zander, Cambree, Naomi, Jedediah, Elias and Shaelyn. Further survived by many nieces and nephews. Sophie was preceded in death by her parents Michael and Apolonia Grabczyk; her husband of 57 years Frank; brothers Ziggy, Ed, Harry, Teeter, Tate and Tony; sisters Stella, Elsie, Helen, Mickey, Marion and Dorothy. Sophie always worked outside the home, in either the restaurant business or in retail, where she surely spent her checks on clothes for her girls. Sophie and Frank owned and operated The Homestead Tavern in Oak Creek from 1965 to 1975 until they would "retire" to run a gas station in Minocqua, to be near their daughter Carole and family. They would finally retire to their home on Lee Lake. Never one to sit still, Sophie once said, "Working is my hobby!" She would soon find herself behind the bar at Romy's Holiday Inn Supper Club on Kelly Lake, making friends and funding her yearly trips to Las Vegas. Sophie led a full life after the passing of Frank, moving back to Milwaukee where she enjoyed taking her sisters to their appointments, going to the movies and the casino. Sophie would continue to spend her summers on Lee Lake. The family would like to thank the Virginia Health and Rehabilitation Center and Compassus Hospice for the care they gave Sophie in her final months. Memorial Visitation Wednesday, July 17 at The Rozga-Walloch Funeral Home (4309 S. 20th St.) from 4:00 - 6:00 PM followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 6:00 PM. Private inurnment St. Wenceslaus Cemetery in Brazeau, WI.