Stella S. Machkovech, age 90 of Beaver Dam, was called by Jesus to Heaven on Friday, April 13, 2012.

She was born on May 31, 1921 with Mary and Joseph Czajka as her parents. Stella was the fourth of eight children. She grew up on a farm in the Beaver Dam area.
On May 21, 1949, Stella was united in Marriage to Earl Machkovech at St. Michael's Catholic Church. They started their new life together farming in Beaver Dam but after a few years, they were able to purchase an eighty acre farm in Markesan. Being a farmer's wife, she practiced the basics in life as "living off the land," through gardening and canning fruit and vegetables. Stella was also a talented seamstress and baked specialty cakes for her two granddaughters. For 23 years, she was a dedicated employee of Green Giant in Beaver Dam.

Throughout Stella's life, she had a love for dancing, especially polkas, and one of her favorite songs was "Roll Out The Barrel." She had a joy for life, a love for family and always looked forward to spending time with her special friend, Lawrence Blaik, who was an inspiration to her.

Stella was also an active member of St. Katharine Drexel Parish, where she attended Mass every week. Even when she moved to Hillside Manor, she would come down for Mass every chance she could.

In her later years, she was an avid bingo player and always loved to feed the ducks at Hillside Manor.

Her words of wisdom, "Do the best you can!" has always inspired her daughter, Louise.

Stella is survived by her daughter, Louise Raker (David Gannon) of Monona; granddaughters, Dana Raker of Middleton, and Danyelle (Tim) Oestreich of Marinette; great-grandchildren, Melissa Maye, Derrik Maye and Austin Maye all of Marinette. She is also survived by her siblings, Wanda Ferron of Beaver Dam, John Czajka of Beaver Dam, Mary Czajka of Beaver Dam and Harriet Wierich of Appleton; and her Godchildren, Danyelle Oestreich, Tanya Kircher, and Louis Wierich.

Stella is preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Joseph Czajka; her former husband, Earl Machkovech; sisters, Josephine Czajka and Lucille Hoch; and brother, Edmund Czajka.

A Memorial Service celebrating Stella's life will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 135 Keller Blvd. in Beaver Dam with a visitation two hours prior to the service beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Cornerstone with Fr. Mike Erwin officiating. Inurnment will take place at St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery, Beaver Dam.

A very special thank you to Dr. Xiaogang Zhang, the Beaver Dam Community Hospital staff and the staff at Hillside Manor for their comfort and care.

Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Beaver Dam is honored to be serving the family.