Aurora
Derdzinski
Derdzinski, Aurora
Aurora Derdzinski (Navarro) died June 25, 2026 at age 92. Married to Kenneth for almost 73 years. Daughter of Rafael and Aurora (Cardenas) Navarro. Sister of Mary, Rafael, Olga, Edna, Consuelo, Herberto, Alicia, Yolanda and Armando. All deceased. Further survived by her nine children: Michael (Karen) Derdzinski, Patrick (Mary) Derdzinski, Debra (Steve) Matt, Donna (Michael) Esser, Denise (Michael) McHugh, John (Robin) Derdzinski, James Derdzinski, Therese (Alex) Renk and Joseph (Kathy) Derdzinski. Grandmother to 21 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Graduate of St. Henry’s grade school and high school in San Antonio, Texas where she also attended Lady of the Lake University. As a mother of nine, Mom was well organized and measured in her desire for well mannered children that were free to explore their varied interests and activities. Mom was social by nature and was noted for regular trips to the zoo, library and museums. Spontaneous summer picnics were always joyous occasions. While raising nine children had its challenges, she recognized and supported the unique needs and talents of each child.
As children grew older and moved out, Mom welcomed others to fill the empty rooms including foreign exchange students and temporary workers from other countries. Her religious faith fueled and provided direction for all her activities. A product of Catholic education from primary school through college, she raised her children in a similar fashion. Often holding leadership roles, Mom was active in Home and School, CFM, Christian Women, Scouting and the St. Thomas More High School Board of Directors, among others. She made a positive impression on everyone she met; including the Monsignor, who married Mom and Dad on July 10, 1953, in San Antonio, Texas. He traveled by train in 1963 just so he could check in and see how the young family was doing.
Noted for her homemaking skills, she made many of her children’s clothes; most memorable was set of matching madras shirts and shorts (along with crew cuts for boys) on a family trip to Texas. Mom taught everyone basic skills (including the boys): cooking, canning, cleaning and “darning” socks. Mom will be missed as our beautiful confidant, educator, creative muse and faith filled role model.
A Visitation will be held on Friday, July 10, 2026 from 9:30AM-11AM at St. Alphonsus Parish (6060 W. Loomis Rd, Greendale, WI. 53129) followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11AM. Private burial will be held at a later date at St. Adalbert’s Cemetery.
Memorials will be sent to St. Thomas More High School and it’s Aurora Navarro Derdzinski Memorial Fund: 2601 E. Morgan Ave., Milwaukee, WI. 53207.
HERITAGE FUNERAL HOMES
Lovely picture and obituary! Aurora was so kind and welcoming to everyone. She passed on that trait to her children! I remember some fun pool parties at their house in Greendale. One year John sprayed the grannies with the hose so they could enjoy the fun! My condolences to the family and especially Ken. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Aurora’s light will forever shine bright through her remarkable and colorful legacy! As my mother-in-law, she was both an inspiration and a great source of support. May she now rest in peace.
What a gorgeous young lady, Aurora was! It is no wonder Ken fell head over heels for her. I met Aurora while getting to know her daughter, Terri, as a freshman at St. Mary’s Academy. She was a beautiful mom, with a bright lovely smile and always kind tone to her voice (something notable in parents of high schoolers). Way back then I remember thinking how wise Aurora was, but never pushy with her advice. Aurora loved to laugh and smile and had a wonderful wry sense of humor that she famously passed onto her children! She and Ken laughed a lot with my folks, Norm and Diane, who described my dear friends’ parents as both having “personality plus!” I am grateful that my contact with Aurora continued long after Terri and I graduated from high school. Over the years my whole family and I have enjoyed seeing her alongside her beloved Ken at many community functions, especially those in the Polish community (thanks to Aurora’s son, James). It was a pleasure to learn from Aurora about her heritage, too. I recall having a joyful visit with Ken and her at an Our Lady of Guadalupe fiesta held at Blessed Sacrament about 12 years ago.
One of my most precious memories of becoming a mom for the first time includes a call I made to Aurora for sewing advice while working on a crib bunting. I had been working hard for hours and had no idea what was causing a problem I was having. I knew she was an amazing seamstress. Aurora was so sweet and kind and knew in an instant what my problem was – not my very marginal skills, but probably just a bad spool of thread! Aurora was the kind of “salt of the earth” mom who cared not only for her own kids, but who also mothered her kids’ friends. God bless all of her family, especially Ken, in this difficult time. Aurora’s passing will no doubt leave a big hole in that big beautiful family she and Ken created, but her wonderful God-given gifts live on in each of you!
Mike,
My sincere condolences on the loss of your Mother. Thoughts and prayers for your family as you celebrate her life! .
The Koch family “adopted’ me through my friendship with Liz (Wilke), and I became friends with all the family. I saw at Mary (Koch) and Patrick Derdzinski’s wedding. During many gatherings I got to meet Ken and Aurora, including one memorable picnic when my parents, who were visiting me from San Antonio, met Ken and Aurora and they began reminiscing about Del Rio Texas and Ciudad Acuna (Mexico). What a lovely and giving person, Aurora was!
My heartfelt condolences to all the Derdzinski clan on the loss of this matriarch.
Should say I SANG at Mary and Patrick’s wedding….
The loss of a parent leaves a void, where words cannot fill. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. Your cousin Eve
Our deepest sympathy to Ken and the family on Aurora’s passing. Ken and I worked together for many years at First Wisconsin Trust in Wisconsin and Florida. We have always had the highest regard for the Derdzinski family and are so saddened at this loss..
A very special woman blessed our lives! She will be missed & remembered for generations to come. My love goes out to my Derdzinski family.
Josie and I feel so blessed to have known Aurora and the entire family. As a new teacher at Pio Nono with a young family, the Derdzinski’s “adopted “ us and made us feel welcome. When we needed a break from the kids, Aurora offered to take care of them at their home allowing Aimee and Kevin to become part of the amazing Derdzinski extended family.
I will always be grateful to Aurora for the love and care she showed us as well as her dedication to St Thomas More. Her work on the Board of Directors was outstanding and she devoted countless hours volunteering when we needed help with the early auctions and numerous projects..
On behalf of my family and all the wrestling families, former Board members, volunteers,
Faculty and staff, parents and students who were blessed by her kindness and love, I thank you Aurora for touching our lives in such a meaningful and positive way..
I am sorry I can’t be at the service in person to express my sympathy and gratitude to the family, but rest assured Aurora and your entire clan will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
Tom Knitter
Past President
STM
Mike, sorry to hear of the passing of your Mother. My mother is also 92. Although the passing is difficult, we are lucky to have enjoyed their love and company for these many years. Let all af those great memories carry you through this difficult time. 🙏🙏🙏
Mike, Sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing. My mother is also 92, so we’ve been lucky to have had their love and company for these many years. Let all of those great memories carry you and your family through this difficult time
Joe and your siblings your mom was a wonderful person. God bless her. I know she went straight to heaven.
Dear Mike and Family, My sincere condolences on the loss of your Mother. Thoughts and prayers for your family as you celebrate her life! .
Dear Mike and Family,
My sincere condolences on the loss of your Mother. Thoughts and prayers for your family as you celebrate her life! .
Rest in Peace Aunt Tootsie, You will be missed by all those who loved you!
I wish we could’ve made your service.
Love Herbie