Bernadine “Deana” Byrnes, of Mercer, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2026, at the age 91.
Deana Byrnes was born on Jan. 17, 1935, the seventh child born to Frank and Kathryn Ciecka. The Ciecka family lived on a 20-acre farm located on 76th and Howard Street in West Allis. As the United States started to celebrate the end of WWII, her lifelong memory of herding the family’s cows across 76th Street while the cars were sounding their horns will live with the grandchildren. Prior to moving to Mercer, Deana and Jim raised their family on Potters Lake and Lake Beulah for 38 years.
Deana was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Kathryn Ceicka; siblings Clara (Wally) Pedak, Stella (Steve) Kuhs, Frank (Janet) Ceicka, Joan (Rudy) Oswald, Irene Ceicka, and Agnus (Gene) Walsh; and her husband Jim Byrnes.
Deana is survived by Mike (Lori) Byrnes, stepson Jeremy Foss, Jean (Byrnes) Luetschwager, Bradley (Sarah) Luetschwager, Emily Luetschwager, Joe (Karla Keck) Byrnes, Brianna and Nicholas Byrnes, and by many nieces and nephews.
Deana attended Johnson Elementary School in Greenfield and West Milwaukee High School where she met her prom date and high school sweetheart, Jim Byrnes. Deana married James W. Byrnes on Nov. 30, 1957, at Blessed Sacrament church in West Allis.
Deana’s love of teaching kids was the primary reason she went to UW-La Crosse, where she pursued a Bachelor Science teaching degree. She was very engaged in sports at a time when sports for women were extremely limited. Her commitment in teaching Physical Education for 30 years at St. Peters Elementary School fostered lasting relationships. The kids loved to receive the coveted handmade blue, red and white ribbons after each field day event.
Deana’s passion for education continued throughout her career by partnering with parents, coaches, and the East Troy School Board to fund and build eight high school tennis courts. Creating the tennis courts moved the team from Chester Byrnes School where they needed car lights to illuminate the courts for the High School matches.
Deana enjoyed working at Alpine Valley Lodge supporting the front desk, managing lift ticket sales, and answering guest inquiries. She was fond of meeting international travelers. This experience ignited her kids and their friends love for skiing.
Deana participated in the inception of the East Troy recycling center in 1974. She also participated in a bowling league sponsored by the East Troy Trading Post at Lee Shore. She was the treasurer for many years for the league.
In 1998, Jim and Deana sold their home on Lake Beulah and retired to the Turtle Flambeau Flowage in Mercer. Deana quickly became involved in the community, participating in the Master Gardeners club, the Lioness’, the Turtle Flambeau Lake Association and attending the school board meetings.
On her travels throughout the state, she always loved to find a great bowl of soup or have her weekly fish fry dinners. As a genuine Wisconsinite, she cherished watching Packers, Badgers, and Marquette games undisturbed.
Deana loved to travel and took advantage of learning the historical attributes of the areas explored. During the 1970’s, annual Thanksgiving trips up north and National Parks out west were a common occurrence. Deana and Jim’s Alaskan trip in the 1980’s consisted of a reconfigured dodge caravan by navigating the Alaskan Highway, the Interior and Kenai Peninsula for two months. She also made trips to Colorado, Seattle, and Jackson Hole, to visit her grandchildren.
Her life was full of family, holiday traditions, faith, and being with her grandchildren. She loved to attend her kids and then grandkids’ sporting events. She traveled the Midwest to watch many tennis tournaments and sailing regattas.
Her memories will live with her stories she told at least twenty-five times. She loved sending snail mail, often mailing several types of cards that included photos or highlighted newspaper articles she thought the recipient would find interesting. Her love of polkas and waltzes with Jim prior to his passing and continued her enthusiasm for her Polish heritage in attending polka masses, and festivals. Her knack for making small world connections coupled with her gift of gab often resulted in locating long lost relatives.
– A visitation will be held on May 14, 2026, from 3:30 until 7:30 p.m. at Legacy Funeral Home in East Troy. Services will be held on May 15, 2026 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in East Troy, with visitation starting at 11 a.m. until the time of the Mass at 12:30 p.m. Burial will follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery. A reception will be held from 2:30 until 6 p.m. at The Venue in East Troy.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to East Troy Library and the Mercer Library.
Legacy Funeral Services on East Troy is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit www.legacyfuneralservices.com.