Charles “Bob” Grno, age 85 of Kenosha, died on Sunday, May 31, 2015 at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital with his loving family by his side.

Born on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1930 in Racine, he was the eldest of three sons born to the late John and Pauline (Lidik) Grno.

His family moved to Waukegan, IL for a short time.  They then settled in Kenosha on the shores of Lake Michigan, where his father set up a shoe repair shop, with the family home attached to the store.  It was here that Bob developed many lifelong hobbies and interests including sailing, boating, photography, carpentry, astronomy and music.  Bob mastered whatever he undertook – he was a Renaissance man!

At age 16, he met the love of his life, Emma Faraca at Art’s Lunch Box, where she was a waitress.  After a persistent courtship, they were married on October 29, 1949 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church.  Their union was blessed with 65 years of marriage.

He enlisted into the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and was a photographer.  Daughters, Jeanne and Joanne were born during these Navy years.  After his discharge, daughter Joy arrived.

Professionally, Bob’s careers had involved his creative nature.  He worked as a carpenter and home builder and built his family’s dream house.  He was also a cement contractor and excavator.  His business expanded to include a gas station, mini-mart, car washes and laundromat under the name of Mid-W Enterprises with his partner Robert Ventura.  In the 1970’s Bob took up downhill skiing and became a ski instructor at Wilmot Mountain.

He was very interested in camping and Bob and his wife traveled across the U.S. and north to Canada.  Camping trips allowed Bob to photograph many of the National Parks.  Music was always a source of enjoyment for Bob.  Throughout his life, he continued to love music and electronics and was always on the cutting edge of technology.  Photography was always a passion and he participated in many Midwest art fairs and filled a box with award ribbons.

He took up stained glass and created beautiful artwork for many to enjoy.

Over the years, Bob’s entire family was fortunate to travel together and celebrate milestones.

He will forever be in the hearts of those he loved especially his super loving wife, Emma Grno; his three daughters, Dr. Jeanne (Raul) Medina of Milwaukee, Joanne Boysen of CO and Joy (Douglas Czerwinski) Lane of Verona; his nine grandchildren, Matthew, Meryl and Martin Medina, Jill Ingenito, Joseph Boysen, Jenny Dahl, Michael Lane, Lindsay Stenson and Robbie Lane; his seven precious great grandchildren; his brother, George Grno; and many loving nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, John Grno.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, The Kenosha Fire Department and United Hospital Systems-Kenosha Hospital ER for the special care they provided to Bob.

Service Info

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 5, 2015 beginning with a prayer service at 9:45 a.m. from Piasecki-Althaus Funeral Home, 3720 39th Ave., Kenosha, WI. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 2224 45th Street. Entombment will follow with full military honors in Sunset Ridge Memorial Park.