Edwina “Ma”, “Aunty Beanie”, “Pickle Lady” (Ostrenga) Lealiou
Edwina “Ma”, “Aunty Beanie”, “Pickle Lady” (Ostrenga) Lealiou, 88, a lifelong resident of Green Bay passed away Sunday, December 20, 2020, following a brief illness. She was born April 9,1932, in the Town of Eaton to Walter and Anna (Jurczykowski) Ostrenga. Edwina married Richard Lealiou on May 25, 1957. They spent 60 colorful and eventful years working hard and raising their family.
Edwina was a simple woman proud of her Polish heritage. She was a woman who could visit with anyone and make them feel comfortable like she knew them all of her life. (A positive trait she passed on to her kids). She was also someone with a heart of gold as witnessed in her love for her grandkids. With “Ma”, what you saw is what you got, no pretenses. She always lived life with the hand she was dealt, and her Catholic faith played a big part of her love of God.
As well as raising her family, she worked in the Dean Foods Pickle Factory pickling those pickles. She was the family chief Booyah chef. According to her, her booyah style was the “right way” to cook it. Whenever she went for a “ride”, whether with someone or by herself, it meant going to an Oneida casino to enjoy a couple of hours pulling the slots. She rooted for the Packers, enjoyed betting on football numbers, took Sunday rides with Dad to visit relatives and friends, and even took pleasure with a beer or two at the local taverns. And, of course, she loved watching Let’s Make a Deal and The Price is Right as part of her daily ritual. The Dick Rodgers TV show and Polkas on the radio were a Sunday “must do” staple in our house. All of us are very grateful we had this wonderful woman in our lives for her 88 years. Still, it was not long enough for us.
Edwina is survived by her sons, Joe (Enri) Ostrenga, Donald (Kathy) Lealiou, Thomas (Lynn) Lealiou and John Lealiou; her daughters, Mary Lealiou (Gordy), Julie (Ted) Wiesman; her grandchildren, Jason Lealiou, Adam (Fatma) Ostrenga and Aaron Ostrenga, David (Katie) DeRoche, Joey DeRoche, Julie Anna (Mike) Schaefer, Danny Lealiou (Morgan) and Maddie Lealiou, Kayla Wiesman (Jake) and Amanda Wiesman (David). her great-grandchildren, Ezra and Eloise (with two more on the way – one real soon and one in 2021); her sister, Rita Kaster; a brother Ray (Rita) Ostrenga; nieces, nephews, other relatives and very good friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; her parents; many brothers, sisters, and other relatives.
Friends may call at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 720 N. Baird Street, Saturday, December 26th from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at the church with the Rev. Jose Lopez officiating. Burial will be in Allouez Catholic Cemetery. The services will be livestreamed and can be viewed by going to Proko-Wall Funeral Home’s Facebook page. On-line condolences may be given by going to www.prokowall.com.
Many thanks to Bellin Hospital and Unity Hospice for their care. But SUPER thanks to granddaughter nurse Kayla. Our family was blessed knowing that Grandma had the best care possible from you and your Bellin co-workers with her time at Bellin.