Rosa Izbicki

Rosa Izbicki, 94, of Naples, FL, formerly of Sioux City, IA, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2019.

Rosa was born to Roselena and Jakeem Binitti, on January 5, 1925 in Barletta, Italy. She was one of 19 children.

When Rosa was 23, she participated in the first Olympics after World War II, the Budapest Games, where she won a gold medal in the 800-meter run for her native country of Italy. Because Olympic entry required three events, Rosa tried out for javelin, discus and shotput in addition to pursuing a goal as a sprinter.

About two years after the Gold Medal win, in 1950, she met Abraham Izbicki, a refugee from Poland, and 26 days later they were married. Several years later, they moved to Rome, Italy where three of their four children were born. In 1956, Rosa and Abe embarked on a journey of a lifetime where they sailed halfway around the world, with 3 small children under the age of 5, to start their new life in America. The Izbicki family initially entered the New York Harbor on Thanksgiving Day, before moving to Chicago.

In 1958, the family was sponsored by the Jewish Federation to relocate to Sioux City, IA. The congregation embraced them into their community and Rosa and Abe became active with the synagogue. In 1963, Rosa and Abe welcomed their fourth child, Jack, their first born in the United States.

The Izbicki’s had settled into their new life comfortably, until 1989 when Abe fell ill and passed away. After the death of her husband, and after her children were grown, Rosa took on the role of a foster parent and worked with many young, displaced families.

Rosa embarked on the second part of her life by moving to Naples, FL. She enjoyed riding her three-wheel bike, being a member of the red hat society, playing a mean game of shuffle board and socializing with everyone she came in contact with. She never knew a stranger, as she treated everyone she knew as a friend, looking to repay the kindness she had received in her life.

If ever asked which one of her children or grandchildren were her favorite, she would say, pick a name, she was proud of each one and loved them all. Her other passions included making delicious Italian dishes for which recipes were never found. It was always a pinch of this and a pinch of that, then taste. Rosa loved the outdoors and always had a beautiful garden. She had an amazing green thumb and could grow anything. She also spent countless hours with her grandchildren fishing.

She leaves as her legacy four children: Hyman (Tina) Izbicki of Killeen, TX. Golda (Carol) Trantham of Ashville, NC, Lina (Ray) McMillin of Sioux City, IA and Jack (Mary) Izbicki of Naples, FL. She also leaves to cherish her memory 11 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

A funeral is scheduled for Tuesday, September 17 at 11:00am at Congregation Beth Shalom. A reception will follow after the burial back at the Synagogue.