Katherine Djuric

DJURIC, Katharina (Nee Wink), aged 92 found peace and shelter in her loving Mother's arms in her Milwaukee home on the 1st of September 2014. Khati was born on a Donauschwaben farm in Mrzovic, Jugoslavia in 1922. She was preceded in death by her industrious and devoted husband of 49 years Dragoslav (Fritz), her hardworking parents Joseph and Anna Wink, her sister Anna, baby sister Elizabeth, and two baby brothers both named Joseph. Miraculously survived by her loving children and caregivers Maria DeSpears, Stephen (Michele) Djuric, and Joseph Djuric. Proud grandmother of Tina DeSpears, Noah (Laurel Smith) Djuric, and Autumn (Ryan) Ozechowski. She was also overjoyed by the birth of her first great-grandchild, Aubrey Ozechowski. Khati was an independent woman with the courage of a lioness and the heart of a saint. Near the end of the war when the Communists were taking over Jugoslavia, rather than leave her aged grandmother in the care of relatives in a country that was turning against its own people, she chose to leave with her Grandmother Becker and youngest sister Theresa on a perilous journey to freedom by train, while the rest of the family traveled by wagons to safety in Austria. Overcoming starvation rations, Allied bombings, and threats to life and limb, she succeeded in planting new roots six months later in the relative safety of West Germany, where she married, had her children, and later emigrated to the United States. Khati was a master gardener, a talented seamstress, and a jack of all trades when it came to keeping the family household afloat. Words alone cannot express enough gratitude for the years of attention, duty, and sacrifice she gave to her family, including her elderly parents near the end of their lives. She was an amazing human being. She will also be missed by her sisters Barbara (the late Karl) Thiel, Mary (the late Joseph) Stanisic in Australia, Theresa (Joseph) Wiluth, and a special group of nieces, nephews, and family members. Our special thanks to our "Angel on Earth" Aunt Theresa for her devotion and concern these past few years as mom's Dementia advanced. Family services to be held.