VERONICA ALISCH GRELE
96 YRS., 5 MO.
Verna’s long, fruitful life finished on May 15, 2008 in Seattle, WA. Her legacy is one built upon an absolute system of morals, values and Catholic faith. She used this as the foundation for the lives of her four children, Rose Sivak (Dennis), Seattle, WA, Lorena Evans (Alan) Roundup, MT., Spencer Alisc (Rae), Pullman, WA., and Paul Alisch (Judy), Chester, MT. Her children brought her 13 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
At an early age, Verna’s first husband Russell Alisch died, leaving her with four young children and little or no safety net other than that of their small farm community and church parishes. None the less, the family stayed together in Culbertson, MT. and made a successful life. All four children grew into their adult lives, and all have productive professions and fine families.
Verna was born 12/17/11 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Paul and Laura (Tock) Kielpinski. She was the oldest of seven siblings, two surviving, Rose Milder and Lawrence Kielpinski. She is also survived by one sister-in-law Elaine Portra. She was raised on the family’s dairy farm and attended grade and high school at Ogdenburg, New London, and Manawa, WI. She then completed normal school at Steven’s Point, WI and taught elementary school for seven years.
July 20, 1938, she married Russell Alisch and began married life on a wheat farm near McCabe, MT. Given the itchy feet of youth, they moved to the Spokane, WA area for a time, but then returned to McCabe. In 1955, Russell died from a heart attack. Times were tough for the family, but they all took a part, and all four children graduated from high school in Culbertson, MT. She supported her family by working for ASCS for the next seventeen years.
Verna married Isidore (Issy) Grele, on August 13, 1966. The two took several trips and enjoyed life until March 20, 1973.Then, Issy passed away.
Verna stayed in Culbertson for five more years. She then moved to Seattle, WA to be with her oldest daughter, Rose and husband Dennis Sivak, and to enjoy the milder winter climate that she had learned to love. She has lived in Seattle continuously since, for 30 yrs.
Services are planned at St. Frances of Assissi in Burien, WA. at 12:00p.m. May 19, 2008. A Wake is planned at the funeral home in Culbertson, MT. on the evening of May 21. Internment will follow with graveside services at the Froid Cemetery Froid, Montana, 10:00 a.m. May 22.
A long productive life—very well lived!