Obituary of Edith Paszko

Edith Paszko (née Hedegard) died February 22, 2019. She made it to 95 ½ as a result of undaunted positivity and a great love of cocktails.  

Born July 29, 1923, Edith spent her early years in Indianapolis in the extended family closeness of a newly emigrated Danish family. Her childhood cemented her “Hygge life” – one marked by warmth, inclusion, coziness, and contentment. Her family defined ‘family’ broadly, and so did she. The stories she cherished most revolved around boating, card playing, eating (So. Many. Pastries.), and laughing with the people she loved.

She met the love of her life in the Chicago suburbs, and married her sailor Henry (“Hank”) on her 21^st birthday in 1944. Lore has it he asked what she wanted for her birthday, and she said, “You.” For a profoundly easy-going woman, Edith almost always got what she wanted – it was kind of magical to witness.

With the determination of first-generation immigrants, Hank and Edith both did what they had to do to make a living and raise a family. As a war bride, Edith had her first child while living with her parents in Elkhorn, WI and waiting for her sailor to come home. Never shying from work, even as a young mother of three, Edith found jobs as a secretary, bookkeeper, and support staff to a number of businesses, including the two she helped start with her husband. They ran Lakeland Marina and Lakeland Sport Shop, both in Fort Atkinson, WI. She eventually retired from Citizens State Bank & Trust (now Badger Bank) in Fort Atkinson, WI.

Edith and Hank raised three children – Carole, Debbie, and Mark. Upon retirement to the house they built in Fox Lake, WI, they were active grandparents to 8 and great-grandparents to 10 more. She presided over slumber parties, fishing, crafting, trips to Rippin’ Good Cookies, and more.

She never met a new experience she didn’t like, embracing everything from family vacations down the Mississippi with a toddler tied on board to playing the slots in Ho-Chunk. She also never met a morning she didn’t hate. A night owl until the end, Edith indulged her passion for all things Game Show Network, with special affection for Cash Cab and Steve Harvey’s Family Feud. A voracious reader her entire life, she began with dime store novels and magazines as a teenager and eventually moved onto the entire romance section of Goodwill in her later years. She will also be remembered for her fear of ever running out of Viva, which she hoarded in her walker and pockets, and her passion for shopping for hidden finds at resale shops.

Edith is survived by daughters Carole Braig (Michael), Debbie Floerke (Larry), and a slew of grands and greats. Husband Hank and son Mark predeceased her. She also leaves behind the care team of her sweeties at Fairhaven Senior Services, charming them all with smiles and impromptu singing until her last breath.

A memorial and celebration of her profoundly upbeat life will be held at Fairhaven Senior Services on Tuesday, March 19 at 3:30 in Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Fairhaven Senior Services.