Ivanka (Mikec) Rebrica

Ivanka Rebrica (nee Mikec), 86, peacefully passed away August 8, 2025, with her family by her side.

Ivanka was the beloved wife of 62 years to the late Ignac Rebrica; loving mother of the late Dana Blase (James) and Ann Marie Zajac; proud and loving grandmother of Karl Blase, Emily (David) Schmitz, Jackson Zajac and Jeffrey (Michelle) Zajac; great-grandmother to Christina and Nathaniel Zajac; devoted daughter to the late Ivana and Franc Mikec; dear sister to the late Stanley (Albina), late Frank, Rafko (Toncka), late Joze (Mimi), Peter (Marica), and the late Fanci (Toni) Gregorcic; dear aunt to many nieces and nephews and friend to all.

Ivanka was born in Srednje Laknice, east of Mokronog in southeastern Slovenia. She emigrated to the United States at the age of 16 with her late brothers Stanley and Frank where Ivanka then became a US citizen and settled in Chicago, IL. In 1957, she met Ignac in a Slovenian dance group and on May 30, 1959 they were married.

Ivanka worked at her uncle’s grocery store, Western Electric, and then retired after working 25 years at Weber’s Bakery.

Ivanka enjoyed gardening, baking, cooking, and her favorite craft, making floral arrangements out of seashells and giving them to family and friends. Ivanka liked to play balina (bocce ball) with her friends at the Slovenian picnics. Most of all, Ivanka treasured outings and traveling with her family and their many Slovenian friends, and spending time at the Slovenian Catholic Center. She graciously volunteered her time at her Slovenian church, St. Mary’s Slovenian Catholic Mission in Lemont, as a lector, preparing the priests’ vestments, altar linens, and floral pieces.

She was a member of the Slovenian Catholic Center, Prekmurje Social Club, and Catholic United Financial.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ivanka may be made to St. Mary’s Slovenian Catholic Mission (14246 Main St, Lemont, IL 60439). 

The family invites you to gather in prayer for a visitation on Saturday, August 16, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Slovenian Catholic Mission (14246 Main St, Lemont, IL 60439). The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 a.m. celebrated by Ivanka's pastor and friend, Fr. Metod Ogorevc. At the conclusion of the Mass, we will drive in procession to Ivanka's earthly resting place at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery (7201 Archer Rd, Justice, IL 60458) for a graveside ceremony.

The Visitation and Mass of Christian Burial will be live streamed by clicking here on Saturday, August 16, 2025 beginning at 8:55 a.m.

Services entrusted to Hayes Funeral Service and family friend and funeral director, Marko Čepon 815-715-1389.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ivanka (Mikec) Rebrica, please visit our floral store.