Martha “Marty” Zenisek (nee Swearingen), 80, of Racine, Wis., died Sept. 26, 2011 after a prolonged struggle with pulmonary fibrosis.
Ms. Zenisek was born in Oak Park on July 3, 1931 to Ralph A. and Lois Powers Swearingen. She graduated from Riverside-Brookfield High School in 1948 and received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Illinois in 1953. She married her husband, Robert Zenisek, on Dec. 27, 1953.
The couple traveled extensively, visiting 50 countries while making their home in Champaign, Berwyn, Riverside, Connecticut, California, Virginia, Texas and Milan, Italy. They relocated to Racine to be near their only daughter and grandchildren.
Ms. Zenisek will be remembered by family as a loving mother and grandmother and a devoted friend.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Zenisek; her daughter, Diane (Jorge) Garces; her grandchildren, Luis, Jason, Kristina and Karla; her sisters-in-law; and her nieces and nephews.
Ms. Zenisek was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Ralph Lynne (the late Hazel) Swearingen; her brother-in-law, Richard Zenisek; and her great-nephew, Brendon Anderson.
A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, Oct. 9 at 1 p.m. at Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home, 80 E. Burlington St. in Riverside.
Memorial donations are appreciated to The Pulmonary Fibrosis Research, c/o Abbe Temkin, University of Chicago Medical Center, 1170 E. 58th St., Chicago, Ill. 60637.
