Christine Brusha Rice

Christine Brusha Rice, age 96, passed away February 21. 2017 with family near.

Christine was head waitress at Brusha's Club for thirty- three years. Her pastimes included scrabble and cribbage, knitting and crocheting. She also enjoyed cruises with her family as well. Having visited Alaska, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal and Canada. Above all, she was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother who cherished time with her family.

She was born on April 3, 1920 to Gaspare 'Oscar' and Cristina (Cucciare) Brusha, who had immigrated to Racine from Palermo, Italy 17 years earlier.

The middle child of 9, raised above her father's grocery store on State Street. She, too, brought her 4 children up in Racine. Self-reliance was the sum and substance of her life. This quality is instilled in each of her children; Barbara (Richard) Nissen (nee: Smigun) of CA., Joyce (Paul) Weyrich (nee: Smigun) of VA.; Terry (Kathy) Smigun of CA.; and Dale (Mary) Rice of WI., who will miss her dearly.

In addition to her children she is survived by her sister, Rose (William) Ruffalo; 13 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. We wish her peace.

Christine was preceded in death by her parents and brothers and sisters; Katie (John) Onorato, Frank (Frances) Brusha, Sam Brusha, Dorothy (Henry) Geisler, Oscar (Lucille) Brusha, Anne Brusha, Christie (Phyllis) Brusha and her nephews, Jasper Brusha and John and Sammy Onorato.

Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Friday, February 24, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Friday from 3:00 p.m. until time of service at 4:00 p.m. Private interment will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32.