Staff members at Sturino’s Funeral Home welcome visitors to their new entrance. From left, office manager Sharon Baldukas, funeral director David Herbst, funeral director and owner Darryl Sturino and administrative assistant Shannon Free.
BY KATIE MATTESON
Darryl Sturino is proud of his funeral home’s legacy and is excited to show off the latest improvements to the 112-year-old landmark building.
The stately home at 3014 Northwestern Ave. across from Racine Country Club was built in 1906 for Arthur and Margery (Wustum) Janes. The two-acre estate was originally part of the Wustum farm.
Edward “Bucky” Hanson purchased the property in the fall of 1972 and after an almost two-year renovation and expansion project, he opened Hanson Funeral Home’s new location early in 1975.
The original family business was founded in 1897 by Bucky’s grandfather, A.C. Hanson. The Danish immigrant established the A.C. Hanson Furniture and Undertaking Company at 1006-1008 State Street, later moving to corner of Lafayette Avenue and Liberty Street (now known as Memorial Drive).
In the 1920s, A.C.’s son Steve joined the business and his son Bucky became the third generation to come onboard in 1949.
In 1989, Sturino joined Bucky and his two sons in the family business. After working with the Hansons for 18 years and virtually becoming part of the family, Sturino and his wife Jeana purchased the funeral home on June 8, 2007.
At that time they made updates to the building and grounds, as well as changing the name to Sturino Funeral Home.
Eleven years later, Sturino has just completed an eight-month project to create a new entryway featuring a canopy, a larger lobby area, additional family meeting rooms, an ADA-compliant family restroom and an updated chapel. The project also included an expansion to the parking lot, and the addition of an additional garage, new sidewalks and landscaping.
“We’ve preserved the beautiful historical charm of the building, eliminated the stairs and provided shelter from the weather to make it much more welcoming.” Sturino said.
Sturino and his staff will host an open house on Sunday, June 3 from 1-4 p.m. to welcome the public to tour the home and enjoy refreshments. Those who are unable to attend the event are welcome to stop in anytime.
For more information, call (262) 632-4479 or visit sturinofuneralhome.com.
https://view.publitas.com/belle-city-magazine/2018-june/page/18-19