Mitch Moranda

Mitch Moranda, 71, passed away peacefully with loved ones on his side on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at St Paul Eldercare.    Mitch was born in Chicago on December 6, 1949 to Walter “Lefty” and Marie (Czech) Moranda.  On August 22nd, 1970 he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Kathy Biron, at St. Gall Church in Chicago.  Mitch and Kathy celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2020.

Mitch and Kathy met at Chicago State University in the fall of 1967 and married after graduation in the summer of 1970.  Mitch would often tell family and friends that once he learned Kathy had plans to accelerate her coursework and finish college in three years, he would do the same.  That kind of partnership and support of one another was evident throughout their marriage.  Mitch’s degree in math with a minor in science morphed into what was at new career path at the time—computer programming.  His career grew with the computer industry until his retirement from Turtle Wax in 2005.

Mitch was also a tremendous Dad and Grandpa, and very involved in teaching the kids to ride bikes, drive a car, and cook.  He coached their sports and got involved in all the seasonal activities.  Egg dying was a favorite!  (Thank goodness, because Kathy disliked that particular one!)

After retiring, he and Kathy moved to Wisconsin where Mitch took on the role that he penned “Grandpa Daycare,” watching Brody and Drew. His goal was to guide them to independence and he did a great job, enjoying them and “chauffeuring” them to their many activities as they got older.  Mitch followed Carson’s journey to become a hockey player—from the “learn to skate” lessons, through to competitive traveling team sports.  Whenever in the Chicago area, he enjoyed watching Carson learn, practice, and compete.  

Mitch was an avid Chicago Sports fan.  As a South Sider growing up walking distance from Comisky Park, he went to many games and later took the family, who have fond memories of Sox games.  When the stadium was taken down, Mitch and Kathy got two bricks, one which was built into the fireplace of the home they built in Mokena, and one that is still in the family. 

Mitch is survived by his wife, Kathy; three children: Luke (Kimberly) Moranda, Eileen (Jim) Lauer, and Pete (Liz Domagalla) Moranda; three grandsons: Brody and Drew Lauer, and Carson Moranda; his sister, Renee Jurkowski, and his brother Russ Moranda, as well as two sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews.    

Kathy and the entire family would like to thank Mitch’s incredible team of doctors and specialists, and the dedicated nurses, staff, and hospice team at St. Paul Eldercare in Kaukauna, WI, for their compassion, friendship, and skilled assistance.  Mitch enjoyed joking with them and appreciated the attentive care they gave both him and Kathy. 

In keeping with Mitch’s wishes, a private Celebration of Life was held at Vito and Nick’s, a longtime family favorite Chicago South Side Pizza Restaurant.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.verkuilenfh.com

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.