Ivka Perica
Alton | Save
Ivka “Eva” Perica, 94, died on Monday, June 25, at home, under OSF Hospice care and her family.
Ivka (Eva) Vuco was born December 22, 1923, on the family farm, in Vojnic, Dalmatia, Yugoslavia. One of nine children of Marko and Ana Vuco; she attended the village school and began working on the farm, tending to her lambs and turkeys. She worked as a domestic as the siege of World War II occupied her country. Escaping to Italy she met her future husband, Nick, an OSS/ US Army agent soldier. They married in Torre di Mare, Bari, Italy on April 2, 194, returning to Alton, to work.
Nick worked and retired from Laclede Steel Co. Ivka worked as a homemaker, seamstress, and school cafeteria worker at Marquette High and Alton District 2, ending at East Jr. High. She raised her garden, vegetables and flowers, and canned tomatoes in October 2017. She was a great cook, baker, and loved to feed and give food to everyone she met. She
Her favorite love was her family, here and abroad, including her 5 sons and their families. She attended night school in order to receive her proud USA citizenship.
She was a devout member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alton, from her arrival into the USA. She educated her 5 sons through Saint Mary’s School. She was a member of the Saint Ann’s auxiliary, and loved to cook and bake for the priests and brothers. She was a member of: Life Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary 1308; AFSCME Retirees; Disabled American Vets; Hospitalized Veterans USA; St. Jude’s Children Silesians Missions; Padre Pio Foundation; and Franciscan Friar of the Atonement/ St. Anthony Devotions.
She is survived by her 5 sons: Marion (Kathleen) Perica, Nick (Jan) Perica, Bob (Melissa) Perica, David Perica, and George (Patricia) Perica; grandchildren: Michelle, Liz Perica, Jennifer (Todd) Russell, Amy (Leonard) Madalin, Stephanie (Daniel) Fitzgerald, Nichole (Brandon) Danielle, Alex, Leigh, and Tess; great grandchildren: Gavin, Lenny, John, Andrew, Daniel, Katherine, and Mary. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Nick Perica, September 22, 2010; her four brothers: Stanko, Slavko, Luka, and Nedjelka; and her four sisters: Ana, Marta, Luca, Pera.
She will be forever remembered for her love and kindness, Faith Roman Catholic, strength, and hard work as a great devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend.
Visitation is Friday, June 29, 2018 from 2:00 until 4:30 P.M. at Staten Fine Funeral Home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, June 29, 2018 at 5 P.M. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alton, IL.
Burial will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Godfrey, IL.
Memorials may be made to St. Judes Children’s Hospital, Silesian Missions, or St. Mary’s Church.
Staten Fine Funeral Home & Crematory
