Our mom, Emily B. Lyskin passed away on August 14, 2021. She was born on December 30, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois to Emil and Alice Kostka. The family soon moved to Wilber, Nebraska, a small community of mostly Czech immigrants, where she grew up. Emily did not learn to speak English until she went to kindergarten. She was very active in Sokol Gymnastics for many years and graduated from high school in 1947. After graduating from college and getting a teaching credential, she became an elementary school teacher in California.
She married Victor Lyskin in 1960, and together they had four children and started their business, Vic’s Supply Company in Ventura. Mom split time taking care of the kids and helping Dad operate the store, where she worked for over 50 years. She was cook, chauffeur, bookkeeper, maid, disciplinarian and cheerleader. She rarely missed a game, and with four kids...there were a lot. Whether it was baseball, soccer, softball or basketball, she could be found on the sidelines or in the bleachers cheering on her kids, and in recent years, her grandkids.
She enjoyed bowling, gardening, Bingo, trips to the lake and Sunday family dinners. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 71 years. Mom was very proud of her Czech heritage, and was affectionately known as “Babi” to her grandkids.
Mom was preceded in death by our dad, Vic, her parents Emil and Alice, brother Bohoslav Kostka and his wife Florence, and sister Blanche Rodgers. She is survived by her son Andy and wife Lana, son Mike and wife Colleen, daughter Kathy and Jim Mora, and daughter Vicki and Travis Jones. Her grandchildren Nick and wife Callie Lyskin, Lauryn and husband Andrew Leahy, Connor Kernochan, Katrina Kernochan, Brittany Smith, Brandon Smith, Miranda Lyskin, Chase Lyskin, and brother-in-law Dr. John H. Rodgers. Mom also has a large extended family including nephews Duke Lyskin and his wife Lori, Steve and Lea Kostka, John and Lainy Kostka, Jim and Theresa Kostka, Mark and Leanne Rodgers, Paul and Lauren Rodgers, and nieces Peggy and Randy Meyer, Bobbie and Greg Treadwell, Sarah and Curtis Nunn and Martha and Paul Boyles and many, many grand nieces and nephews. Mom will be missed more than she could ever imagine.
Services will be held Saturday at 12:30pm at the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE in Ventura on August 21 with burial immediately following at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park . The family would like to thank the past and present employees at Brookdale/Camarillo Senior Living and especially Fernando De La Cruz for helping with her care the last few years.
Arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.