Violet Strnad-Pivo

Violet B. Strnad-Pivo of LaGrange Park, IL, and Middleton, WI, passed away May 9, 2026, in Madison, WI. She was born July 6, 1926, in Cicero, IL, the only child, of Joseph and Ruth Benes.

Vi has shared many stories of her years growing up. Our favorite is how she met our Dad, John Strnad. They grew up on the same block, but attended different elementary schools. When attending Morton High School, they met through a mutual friend and fell very much in love. When our Dad finished serving in the Air Force, they married on May 15, 1948. They moved into their new home in 1954, in LaGrange Park, IL. There they raised their four children in a home filled with love and laughter. Vi loved being a Girl Scout leader, sewing clothes for her daughters, gardening, and was a devoted fan of LaGrange Park baseball. Before children she worked for Western Electric in Cicero, and when the kids were old enough to trust alone at home she returned to work at Moticka and Ralph Accounting in Brookfield, IL. After Dad passed away in 1978, Mom downsized and moved to a condo in Indian Head Park, IL. In 2009, Vi moved to Middleton, WI, to live close to two of her children. She enjoyed her 16 years living at Middleton Glen. She enjoyed the community, bridge and knitting groups.

Vi is survived by her four children, Joan Richner (Bill), Judy Strnad (Pat), John Strnad (Kathy), and Jeff Strnad (Stacy). And, she is further survived by a step-daughter-in-law Bridget Pivo. She is also survived by an abundance of grandchildren and great-grandchildren! Grand children include Mark Richner (Evie), Tom Richner (Steph), Kristin Canniff (Jake), Johnny Strnad (Annie), Travis Strnad (Bianca), Jordyn Heller (Allison) and Nate Strnad (Agata). Her step grandchildren include Jim Pivo (Tracy) and Kim White (Andy). And she loved her great-grandchildren Norah Lee and Twyla Richner; Luka and Beckett Canniff; John, James, Charlie and Olivia Strnad; Elva Strnad; and Sawyer and Sutton Heller. Step-grandchildren include Ethan and Riley Pivo, and Connor White.

Vi was preceded in death by her parents, and her beloved grandparents, John and Pauline Steinkraus. She was also preceded in death by her husband, John Strnad, and by her second husband, Joseph Pivo, and his children Joe Jr and Pam.

We would like to thank the staff of Brookdale West and the staff of SSM Hospice for their compassionate and gentle care.

Mom was so grateful for her family! Please take a moment to think about what you are grateful for and share your love! Vi's funeral will take place at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church in Western Springs, IL, on May 29, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. with the Mass to follow. Interment will be at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, IL. Cress Funeral Home, Madison, WI, is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Mom loved children.