Gordonna Marija Komassa

For 77 years, Gordonna M. (Gordie) Komassa, read aloud to her students–both inside and outside the classroom–from the whimsical storybook of her life.

From incredible adventures, epic treasure hunts and loving family moments, her family and friends hung on her every word as she told a story filled with her infinite curiosity and her boundless love of life and learning; her life leaping off the page as she intertwined sage allegorical wisdom with her singular brand of humor and charm.

On the evening of August 19th, 2025, the last page turned in Gordie's storybook, as she passed peacefully into Christ's kingdom and the start of a new neverending story.

Gordie's story would simply not have been possible without a trusty sidekick, and she found the best one in the world in her loving husband and tireless, pun-wielding other half of more than 53 years, William J. (Bill), who survives her.

Gordie was also a wonderful mom and teacher to her son William E. (Will) and his wife Katy, and to her daughter Alexandra (Ali) Katula and her husband Sam, and they were usually red-faced and rolling with laughter as they joined Gordie on her next every-day adventure.

But more than anything, Gordie relished her role as a storybook-perfect "GG" to her grandchildren William O. (Liam) and Robert (Beau) Komassa, and Lawrence (Law), Elizabeth (Elle) and Guinevere (Gwyn) Katula, all of Brookfield. She doted on her grandkids every chance she got, plied them with candy and treats, and generally corrupted and spoiled rotten each and every time she had the opportunity… just like a GG should.

She is also survived by her brother Dany and his wife Debbie, of North Prairie, her brother Mick and his wife Jelena, of Hartland, and her sister Bogie of North Carolina. And yes, they're all characters who could easily have their own series of books, too. And then there's the "couldn't write it any better than reality" cast of characters of brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, along with a veritable encyclopedia of nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.

Gordie was preceded in death by her father Milan and mother Marija Kapetanovic, who started her story as they emigrated to the Milwaukee area from Yugoslavia by way of Italy when she was two years old. Gordie was very proud of her Serbian heritage (cough, and her occasional "Serbian temper,") and spoke Serbian fluently with her family and Serbian friends and acquaintances. She was also a gifted cook who painstakingly prepared incredible bureks, sarmas and other traditional Serbian cuisine for many family gatherings throughout her life.

And, of course, Gordie worked tirelessly as an actual elementary school reading teacher for more than four decades, spending over 30 years in Milwaukee Public Schools before "retiring" and continuing to work at St. Dominic's School in Brookfield until she *actually* retired in 2015 to become a full-time "GG" for her grandkids.

She gave the gift of reading to thousands of children throughout her career, and collected hundreds–perhaps thousands–of children's books during her tenure as both a mom and teacher. She absolutely adored reading to her students, children and grandchildren, and "literally" had the perfect book for every occasion.

Her love of teaching and of reading did not go unnoticed by her students, and Gordie was given proof of that when she was honored by former student Many Yom as the inspiration for the teacher character in Yom's 2021 children's book "Nami's New Friend."

Outside of work, Gordie loved spending time cultivating her magazine-worthy perennial flower gardens, and doing her fairly bad impression of a person "relaxing" in Door County and in her childhood family vacation spot in Boulder Junction, Wis. Gordie loved those places very much, and loved them even more when she could share them with her family, even then turning those vacations into little adventures to the "secret beach," or "the most haunted house in Wisconsin," among many others.

She also loved and excelled at real-life "treasure hunting" for "tchotchkies" of all shapes and sizes, but had a particular affinity for antique pewter, Blue Willow China and handmade European Christmas decor, and her meticulous decorating adorns two beautiful homes in Brookfield and Boulder Junction.

It's perfectly fitting that Gordie's one-of-a-kind spirit lives on; only now as a legendary story told by all of us who knew and loved her. We will do our best to honor her memory and love for us all by retelling her story: the vivid details of her many quirky adventures, the downright goofy explanations behind her myriad riotous catch phrases and aphorisms, and most of all, by living our lives paying heed to her many wonderful, caring lessons.

Gordie made it very clear: no funeral! But she didn't say we couldn't have a party… so we are!

We hope you'll all join us anytime between 2-4pm on Saturday, September 20th for a few tasty beverages and delightful Hors D'oeuvres at:

Maxie's

6732 W Fairview Ave

Milwaukee, WI 53213

Don't bring anything except yourselves and your best Gordie Stories!