Nellie Jean Kocol was born February 11, 1914, in Rockford, IL, to Stefan and Casimira (Sargenta) Soceka. Nellie moved to Kenosha at age 11. She attended schools in Rockford, IL, and Kenosha, WI. On October 19, 1935, she married Edward J. Kocol at St. Casimir’s Church in Kenosha. Edward passed away in December 1976. Nellie and Edward owned the Country Grocery Store in Paris Corners, WI, from 1942 until 1947. Nellie also worked at Simmons Mattress Company in Kenosha, and Jockey International (formerly Cooper’s Inc.) also in Kenosha. She then became a licensed practical nurse and worked at St. Catherine’s Hospital until she retired in 1979. Nellie was a talented seamstress and quilter. She enjoyed gardening and was also an avid bowler. Nellie loved to spend time with her grandchildren. Nellie is survived by three daughters, Kathryne Rolbiecki of Kenosha, Geraldyne (Len) Hensgen of Manitowoc, WI, and Deborah (Wayne) Ausse of New Port Richie, FL; a son, Michael (Donna) Kocol of Kenosha; a sister, Bernice Babinec of Cedar, IA; ten grandchildren, Rene (Tim) Johnson of Madison WI, Christopher Rolbiecki of Kenosha, Angela (Robert) Hallisy of Kenosha, Katie (Bill) Parise of St. Charles, IL, Brian (Juliette) Hensgen of Schaumberg, IL, Nick Ausse of New Port Richey, FL, Annie (Clennon) Steele of Volo, IL, Abbe Kocol of Kenosha, Samuel Kocol of Kenosha and Philip Kocol of Kenosha; and also had ten great-grandchildren. Nellie was preceded in death by her husband; a sister, Mary Wojnicz; and two brothers, Joseph and John Soceka. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 23rd, at the Proko Funeral Home at 9:45 a.m. Mass will be celebrated at St. Peter Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at St. George Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday, March 22nd, at Proko Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit Nellie’s Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com
Condolences
Annie Sue Wright
March 21, 2010
To The Family of Nellie Kocol. Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of your Mother. I worked with Mrs. Kocol at Saint Catherine's Hospital. She was a very good nurse and she taught me some nursing/caring practices that I still use today. I'm sure you all have your memories of your Mom and it is my hope that those memories will help you to get through this sorrowful time. Annie Sue Wright
Pat Tribbey
March 21, 2010
Aunt Nellie and I shared a passion for quilting. Even though we lived miles apart, we found out we each first learned to quilt from watching PBS's "Lap Quilting with Georgia Bonesteel". What a coincidence, considering she lived in Kenosha and I lived in South Florida.We enjoyed Aunt Nellie's and my mom's (Mary Wojnicz) visit to Florida in 1986. A special time was a nice conversation at a table on the beach in Dania, FL. It was then I found out that Aunt Nellie and Uncle Eddie rode an Indian motorcycle many years ago! Lots of fun stories were exchanged that afternoon.I remember many the time I stayed over at Aunt Nellie's when cousins Kathy & Gerry and I were young. Aunt Nellie taught us all to play Canasta and other card games.I do believe I got my love of sewing & quilting through Aunt Nellie. After I was married, we never lived in the same town, those sewing & quilting genes must have travelled across the miles to reach me.I was so glad that my mom had Aunt Nellie and her family nearby and that they included Aunt Mary in many of their family gatherings.Kathy, Gerry, Debbie and Michael, you are in my thoughts.