Maureen T. Chekouras

Maureen Theresa (Byrnes) Chekouras passed away on Saturday, September 15 in Green Bay, WI.  She was born on July 11, 1929 in Reedsburg, WI to Patrick and Mary (Clippert) Byrnes.  She was the 7th of 10 children.  Maureen attended Reedsburg schools and received her teaching certificate at Sauk County Teachers College in 1949.  She taught school for over 25 years predominately in the Catholic Parochial Schools in Beloit & Janesville, WI and in South Beloit, IL.  She spoke fondly of her first year in teaching at a one room school house in Sauk County as her best teaching experience.  She enjoyed working outside of the home after retiring from teaching at the family business Chekouras Furniture (Clinton, Janesville & Beloit, WI) and at Sergenian’s Floor Company in Madison.  Even after retiring from business, she continued to volunteer as the Playground Supervisor at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic School.  Maureen believed in having a purpose and to getting something accomplished each day.

Maureen moved to Beloit and married John E. Chekouras in 1952. They were married 62 years until his death in 2014.  She was a devout Catholic, receiving her first sacraments at Sacred Heart Church in Reedsburg, WI, a member of St. Thomas Church and Our Lady of the Assumption Congregation in Beloit.  Maureen’s greatest love of all was being with family and friends.  The Byrnes’, Chekouras’, Bacon’s, CADS and beyond all knew that she deeply cared for them.  Everyone was welcome at her home and she looked forward to gatherings at the holidays especially the annual Byrnes Family Reunion.

Maureen was preceded in death by:  Her Mother – Mary (Clippert) Byrnes, Reedsburg, WI; Her Father – Patrick Byrnes, Reedsburg, WI; Siblings – Bernice (Byrnes) Fike - Beloit, WI; Bernard “Bernie” Byrnes – Waunakee, WI; Kathleen “Mickey” (Byrnes) Meister - Beloit, WI;     Raymond “Ray” Byrnes – Mauston, WI; Donald “Donnie” Byrnes – Reedsburg, WI; James “Jimmy” Byrnes – Reedsburg, WI; Lawrence “Larry” Byrnes – Beloit, WI. Husband – John E. Chekouras – Beloit, WI; Son – John F. Chekouras – Thiensville, WI; Foster Son – Philip Bacon – Beloit, WI.

Maureen is survived by: Sister - Patricia (Byrnes) Hale, Reedsburg, WI;  Brother – Patrick  Byrnes, Milwaukee, WI; Her daughter – Mary Chekouras Beardmore, Green Bay, WI; Daughters in Law – Rosemary (Broderick) Chekouras, Grafton, WI; Kris (Sands) Bacon, Beloit, WI; 8 Grandchildren and 11 Great Grandchildren.

Maureen's Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 624 N. Willow St, Reedsburg, WI, on Friday, Sept. 21 with visitation at 11:00 am, 12:00 noon Mass, burial at Calvary Cemetery in Reedsburg and luncheon to follow.  A memorial is being established in her name.

Special thanks to the caring staff at Bishop’s Court in Green Bay, WI, - Dr. Williams, Emily, Tom, Janet, Sheretta and Rose; to the staff of Heartland Hospice, you are truly “angels”; to the entire Bacon family for the compassion and care you gave to Maureen (and John) in Beloit; to Maureen’s Granddaughter  Kate Beardmore for helping care for Maureen in her home; to Maureen’s niece Bonnie (Meister) Paul for your support to Maureen and Mary especially while she lived in Green Bay; and to Kira Chekouras Testin for sharing your guidance and knowledge of elder care.

Maureen's Memorial Mass will be 1:00 p.m. on Friday October 5, 2018 at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 2222 Shopiere Road, Beloit, WI with a brief reception to follow. Please share a memory or a condolence with the family on our website.

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