Ivanka Nagode Rojina

Ivanka Nagode Rojina, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2026.

Born on June 6, 1940, in Novi Svet, Yugoslavia (now Slovenia), to Franc and Štefanija Nagode, Ivanka grew up alongside her brothers Franc and Polde during the hardships of World War II, an experience that deeply shaped her character and resilience. She earned an Associate’s Degree in Economics and began her career as an accountant in Ljubljana. There she met her future husband, Franc (Frank) Rojina, through a mutual friend, and they married on May 16, 1964. Their first daughter, Ursula, arrived later that year.

In 1971, Frank immigrated to the United States, sponsored by his sister Meta Kryger, and settled in Decatur, Illinois. One year later, Ivanka and Ursula joined him. The family eventually moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where they became part of a close-knit community of Slovenian families that included her Aunt Mary Nagode, cousin John Nagode, and his wife Dorothy and daughters Julie and Jennie. Together they preserved the foods, music, and traditions of their homeland while creating new family rituals in America. Their second daughter, Kathy, was born in 1973.

Ivanka devoted herself completely to her family, teaching her daughters the Slovenian language and customs and ensuring those connections remained strong with relatives overseas. She had a keen eye for beautiful jewelry, furniture, and history, which led her into buying and selling antiques before she enjoyed a successful decade in retail sales at Evan Picone and Madeline, where she took genuine pleasure in helping clients find special outfits for meaningful occasions. Above all, she placed family first, offering her daughters and grandchildren unwavering love and support. As “Babi,” she cherished her four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter, delighting in their milestones and watching them grow into independent adults.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 61 years, Frank; daughters Ursula Boyd (Bret) and Kathy Rojina; grandchildren Dr. Frank Boyd (Mary), Christian Boyd (Gaby), Jack Boyd (Alexia), and Gabrielle Boyd; and great-granddaughter Elizabeth Maria (Ellie) Boyd. In her later years, Ivanka faced the difficulties of dementia and Type II diabetes with the loving care of her family and dedicated caregivers.