Verda Jean Grabinski

1943 - 2025

Verda Jean Grabinski

January 24, 1943 - March 13, 2025

LA CROSSE - Verda Jean Grabinski, age 82, of La Crosse, passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2025, in her home. She was born in La Crosse, Wis., on January 24, 1943, the daughter of Dorothy (Lepsch) and Verdon Grabinski.

Verda attended Holy Trinity Grade School and graduated from Aquinas High School in 1961. After high school, Verda moved to Kenosha, Wis., where she attended nursing school. Verda later worked as a housekeeper for the priests of Notre Dame Catholic Church in Chippewa Falls, Wis. She was known quite well for her cooking skills at the rectory. Verda later moved back to Kenosha, Wis., where she worked at St. Joseph's Nursing Home. In 1979, she moved to La Crosse, Wis., and was Dad's caregiver until 1980. She also worked at the YMCA in the Kids Gym. The noise of 50 children never bothered her as she became totally deaf. Verda was known to be fun, loving, and kind and sometimes the kids didn't want to leave. Her goal in life was to own her own home, and after receiving her Early Childhood Development degree, she was able to purchase her home and start a daycare called VG Kids Club. For many years, she enjoyed teaching children sign language, cooking, knitting and stamping. She also took the children on field trips to the pool and often treated them to lunch at McDonald's.

Verda had a zest for life and a love for God, family, children, Aquinas High School, and Culver's and was an avid Packers fan. Verda enjoyed helping people out and taking care of them when she saw that they had a need. At church, Verda always had a bag of suckers with her and enjoyed handing them out to the kids after Mass.

Verda had a deep faith in God and was raised as a devout Catholic. She attended Mass weekly on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and had a strong devotion to praying the rosary (oftentimes praying many rosaries a day) for family, parish friends, and medical staff who took care of her. In her later years, her sight grew dim, but she insisted on staying in her own home. With the help of special home care provider, Kendra Peterson and "Verda's Village" friends, that was made possible.

Verda is survived by her siblings, Gerald (Chickie) Grabinski, Judy (Jerry) Eckert, Genie (Bill) Applebee, Carlota Grabinski, and Archie (Tracey) Grabinski; 36 nieces and nephews, many great-nieces and nephews, wonderful friends and her special emotional support dog, Tansy.

In addition to her parents, Dorothy and Verdon Grabinski, Verda was preceded in death by her sisters, Colette (Robert) Finley, Sue (Bill) Leary, Denise Grabinski, Zita Grabinski-Clack, and Mary Grabski.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, April 7, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Mary, Mother of the Church, 2006 Weston Street, La Crosse, Wis. Rev. Brian D. Konopa will officiate. Burial will be in the Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. at the church before Mass.

Online condolences may be made at www.blaschkeschneider.com.