Sharing a Legacy of Gratitude, Bob and Mary Karisny

It was a lesson they didn’t simply teach their children and grandchildren; they lived it every day. For the Karisny family, a legacy has never been measured by dollars alone. It is measured by the lives touched, the people helped, and the kindness passed from one generation to the next.

Bob and Mary did not come from generational wealth. They built it together through hard work, faith, and a genuine desire to help others. Bob began his career as a teacher while Mary devoted herself to raising their family. After moving from Oconto to Menasha, Bob transitioned into real estate and joined his brother-in-law, Jack Drzewiecki, during the early days of Acre Realty. They started with little savings, but Bob had a big goal – to give $1 million to local organizations and causes that mattered to their family during his lifetime. Through determination and generosity, Bob and Mary achieved that goal.

Their giving continues today through the Bob and Mary Karisny Family Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, which has supported organizations including Pillars, Fox Valley Veterans Council, Harbor House, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and many others. The family also has three designated funds within the Community Foundation to support charitable causes. But perhaps the greatest gift Bob and Mary left behind is not the fund itself. It is the example they set and the desire they instilled in their family to continue caring for others long after they were gone.

“Mom and Dad taught us that giving comes in many different forms and is a genuine way to connect with others to show you care,” said their son, Mike Karisny.

That lesson continues to show itself in everyday acts of kindness. When a devastating tornado destroyed Manderfield’s Home Bakery in Menasha, Bob and Mary’s daughter, Jennifer, felt an immediate need to help. Manderfield’s was more than a local business – it was part of the neighborhood where she grew up. Jennifer purchased donuts from another Manderfield’s location and shared them with neighbors and volunteers working tirelessly on storm cleanup. Mike also quickly organized a donation site at Acre Realty, collecting essential items such as water, Gatorade, and diapers for families affected by the storm. These acts reflect exactly what Bob and Mary taught their children – when someone needs help, you show up.

Their legacy is also being carried forward by their grandchildren. Every Christmas, the grandchildren gather to choose causes that are meaningful to them. Together, they have supported warming shelters, food banks, women’s shelters, and other organizations serving people in need.

The family finds inspiration in other philanthropic leaders within the community. “We are so lucky to live in an area where we get to see philanthropic leaders like Jim Keller and Mary Beth Nienhaus provide a blueprint for giving,” said Mike. “Their example is very motivational for us.”

For Jennifer, the words of her father remain a guiding force. “Dad always said ‘Remember where you came from and more importantly, be nice. Give what you can to help others.’ This is our family’s legacy, and it gives us great joy to honor and carry out our parents’ wishes with support from the Community Foundation Team.”

For help with your charitable giving goals, visit cffoxvalley.org/giving.