Fannie "Oma" Perz, 88, Howard, was called to Heaven by God. Born into a farming family in Kerndorf, Gottschee (a small community in present day Slovenia) her parents, Andreas and Elizabeth Kraschowetz, named her Stephanie. She met the love of her life, Franz "Frank" and the two married in 1944. Not long after, the two were separated while Frank was interred in a Russian prisoner of war camp for four years after The War. It was not until his release that Fannie knew if he was alive or had perished. Their love endured. In November of 1951, now living in Austria, Fannie and Frank welcomed their first and only child, Reinhard "Ron". The following year, the family of three boarded a plane and immigrated to the United States settling in Chicago, IL. On Oct. 8, 1957, Stephanie, Franz and Reinhard became citizens of their adopted country and Americanized their names to Fannie, Frank and Ronald. They returned to Austria once in 1996 to visit family. Fannie and Frank lived in Chicago for 45 years until 1997 when they moved to Green Bay, WI, to be closer to their son. For many years Fannie was an avid gardener and lover of her back yard wildlife. She manicured her gardens and lit up the borders of her plantings with her favorite flowers, marigolds. Birds would flock to her feeders and squirrels knew they could count on her for a treat. She even had one special squirrel that would come in through her open window and wait on the ledge inside until she produced a snack. She loved "Laurel and Hardy," "The Honeymooners" and "I Love Lucy." She welcomed family, friends and neighbors to her feast of specialties: plum dumplings, chicken paprekash, goulash, chicken soup and gugelhupf. Her loving and giving heart filled all who stopped by with flavors and memories that will last forever. Fannie is survived by her loving husband, Frank; a son and daughter-in law, Ron and Kathy Perz, all of Howard; her grandchildren, Brian and Sarah Perz; a sister, Marie Widmer of Ohio; a brother-in-law, Andrew (Gitta) Perz of Illinois; nieces and nephews, Phyllis and Arnold Bergman of Indiana, Andy (Patti) Perz of Illinois, Jeannette (Bob) Sinickas of Illinois, Albert (Kay) Widmer of Ohio and Arlene (Ernie) Zadell of Ohio; and many great-nieces and great-nephews. European relatives include her sisters-in-law, Sophie Hillepold, Erna (Rudi) Vorwalder and Frieda Wakonig; and nieces and nephews, Gerhard (Anita) Wakonig, Gert (Walpurga) Vorwalder, Angelika (Ewald) Wernig, Edeltraud (Horst) Fruth, Kurt (Efa) Vorwalder, Andreas and Stephan Hillepold. Fannie was preceded in death by her parents, Elizabeth and Andreas Kraschowetz; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Magdalena and Andreas Perz; her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Erich Widmer, Helen and Philip Bergman, Friedl Hillepold, Max Wakonig, Johanna Perz, Marie (Hans) Krause and Eduard Perz. The family expresses its sincere thanks to the Red Cross volunteers and phone staff who kindly provided transportation for Frank while Fannie lived at Woodside Lutheran Home. Thank you also to Rita Novak who provided rides, meals and company for both Frank and Fannie. We would especially like to extend thanks to the wonderful staff of Woodside Lutheran Home for the loving care everyone provided for our "Oma." We were blessed to have you help us care for "Oma" and are appreciative for your thoughtfulness of Frank. Friends may call at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 2597 Glendale Ave., Howard, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. John Bergstadt officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established. Blaney Funeral Home, Green Bay, is assisting the family.