Milena Cukic

RACINE - Milena Cukic, age 71, passed away unexpectedly on September 25, 2012. She was born November 21, 1940 in the village of Visevac in the country of Serbia to Vitomir and Stanica Milosevic. In 1958, she alongside her Mother, immigrated to the United States to rejoin her father and has made her home in Racine ever since. Milena was united in marriage to Vojislav Cukic in 1960. In the 3 years that followed they had two children, daughter Juliana and son Aleksandar, and a new family in a new country proudly began. Without so much as a spoken or written word in her English vocabulary, this ambitious girl from a tiny, but proud farming village a half a world away, set her sights on securing a job, establishing her presence in Racine’s expanding Serbian Orthodox community, and raising her children in this new and exciting world. The new world, this Free country, she would say, contains endless opportunity if you are willing to commit to it. She quickly immersed herself in learning a new language, understanding a new culture, while never straying an inch from her native culture and core beliefs—God, Family, Friendship and Hard work, the rest will take care of itself. She strived to impart these values in her children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews and to all young children who were fortunate enough to know her. She always led by example. Her first and only non-family job in this country was as a Seamstress at Rainfair Corporation, where she worked tirelessly for 42 years. Those that knew her best would attest to the fact that she missed less than dozen days of work during her tenure. Over and above her day-job, she poured countless hours attending to the family’s side-business of rental properties located throughout the North side of Racine. This, on top of her commitment to St George Serbian Orthodox Church, where she was a very active member, board member and past president of the Serbian Sisters organization. Her duties as a Mother, Grandmother, Wife, Daughter, Sister, Friend, Neighbor or Volunteer, were always handled with tremendous care, compassion, comfort, and grace. Her cooking and gardening skills were enviously described by all that knew her. She proudly raised one of the finest gardens in Wind Point. Her boundless energy and mental fortitude would help her overcome tremendous hardships later in life—hardship that would challenge the will of even the strongest soul. Milena will be dearly missed, but never forgotten, by all who had the good fortune of knowing her. May she rest in peace. Surviving is her son, Aleks Cukic, grandson Ryan Vukovich, brother, Milutin Milosevic, son-in-law, Todd Vukovich, nephew Milun Milosevic, niece Milijana Zravkovic and special cousins Rade, Svetlana, Maria and Andriana Gavrilovic, and many Kumovi and God-Children. She is preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Vojislav, daughter Juliana, father Vitomir, mother, Stanica, brother Milosav and her loving niece, Ivanka. Funeral services will be held at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, 826 State Street, Monday, October 1st, 2012, at 10:00 A.M. with Rev. Dragan Mitrovic officiating. Interment will follow at Most Holy Mother of God Cemetery, Third Lake, IL. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Sunday from 5:30 until 8:30 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. MARESH-MEREDITH AND ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME 803 MAIN ST RACINE, WI (262) 634-7888