Cora Gianoli

Cora Margaret Gianoli passed away at the age of 89 at Aspirus Hospice House on Monday, June 22, 2015, after a brief illness. Cora was born on August 24, 1925 in Marathon City, Wisconsin, the daughter of Adolph and Margaret (Gottung) Gruny. Cora grew up in Marathon City, graduating from Marathon High School in 1944. Cora always valued her high school friendships and through the years was a faithful organizer of her class reunions, delighting in her classmates having a wonderful time together. After graduating from high school, Cora went to Wausau, working first as a waitress at the then Brownie's Restaurant. She later met a young man, Louis Gianoli, from Genoa, WI, who had moved to Wausau after the end of World War II. Cora married "Louie" on her 21st birthday, August 24, 1946, at St. Mary's Church in Marathon City. Cora and Louie lived all their lives in Wausau. When Louie was a young Wausau City Policeman, Cora was one of the organizers of a police wives card club, called the "Police Club." Cora was very proud of the fact that the card club met monthly for over 50 years. Some of her closest, life-long friends were part of the card club. Cora worked at JC Penney in her early years, and when Louie became Sheriff of Marathon County, Cora worked for 16 years as the food director at the Marathon County Jail. She planned and cooked meals for an average of 65 prisoners every day. There was even a story widely held that, at one time, a former young prisoner broke into the jail at Christmas time so he could again taste Cora's good cooking! When Cora's husband Louie became president of the National Sheriff's Association, they traveled across the U.S. meeting President Ronald Reagan and other dignitaries. Cora also traveled to Chile, the Azores, Portugal, and Switzerland, visiting family and friends.

Cora enjoyed ice skating as a young woman and for many years was in a bowling league. She was an active member of the Church of St. Anne for over 65 years. She was a member of St. Anne's Fatima Council, the Catholic Order of Foresters, and volunteered for many years at Colonial Manor and Marywood/Benedictine Nursing Home. Up to the time of her illness, Cora was still helping with bingo at Benedictine-enjoying providing monetary prizes for the residents. Cora loved playing cards all her life—especially Canasta, Sheepshead and Phase 10. She was an avid Word Search puzzler, loved going out to eat at different restaurants, and, of course, loved "spinning the wheel" at 2510. Cora was an avid Milwaukee Brewers fan and always had a bet going with her oldest grandson, Andy, when it came to World Series time. Cora and Louie were widely known as "Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus" in the Wausau area—visiting nursing homes and care centers.

Cora will be remembered for her lifelong remembrance of family and friends with her greeting cards sent for birthdays, anniversaries, and deaths. She always valued the importance of thank you notes to be sent for even the smallest kindness. She was a true friend to many. Cora loved taking pictures of her family and family events all her life and was known to many as "Kodak Cora." When Cora became a grandmother, she loved spending times with her grandchildren, traveling to wherever they lived and loving the grandchildren's vacations at her and Louie's home. Her love of strawberry picking lasted many years and she provided delicious strawberry shortcake for family gatherings, along with her scrumptious banana nut muffins. When family visited, she frequently had a pot of chili and Zillmann's sausage ready for them.

Cora is survived by two daughters, Sandra (Larry) Smith of West Des Moines, IA and Linda (Dr. Roger) Krogwold of Dublin, OH. She is survived by four grandchildren, Andy (Danielle) Krogwold of Indianapolis, IN, Heidi Krogwold of Bellbrooke, OH, Lisa Krogwold of Richmond, VA, and Nathan (Shellie) Smith of Iowa City, IA. Cora's four great-grandchildren include Isaac, Cora & Samuel Smith and Benjamin Krogwold. Cora is also survived by Dr. Aracelis Amadori of Santiago, Chile, who lived with the Gianoli family as an exchange student in 1963/1964. Cora will also be remembered as a very special aunt to her nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Agnes (Charles) Gianoli of Athens.

Cora was preceded in death by her parents, husband Louie, brothers, Alfred and Adolph Gruny, Jr., and her sister, Ludmilla Mallak.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 29, 2015, at St. Anne Parish, 700 W. Bridge St., Wausau, with Rev. Alan Burkhardt officiating. Visitation will begin at 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 28 at Helke Funeral Home, Wausau, and continue at the church on Monday beginning at 9:00 a.m. Parish Rosary Service will be at 6:00 p.m. Sunday followed by a time to share memories and stories. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, town of Texas.

You may sign the family guestbook at www.helke.com.

Memorial contributions can be made to either Newman Catholic High School or the Church of St. Anne both of Wausau.

The family would like to thank the staff and volunteers of Aspirus Hospice House who provided incredible loving, tender care of Cora and support for the family. Thanks for those ever-present cookies, too!

Mom, we'll continue the Sheepshead games…we'll get the quarters ready.