Lena J Raska

Lena Orlando Raska passed away peacefully on Friday, October 17, 2025, at the age of 86. Born on December 31, 1938, in Houston, Texas, Lena was the seventh of eight children born to Michael Angelo and Mary Mallo Orlando. She grew up in Houston’s Fifth Ward, off Lyons Avenue, near the Orlando family grocery store, and graduated from Jeff Davis High School in 1958, where she was a proud member of the Carlton Cadettes band and drill team.

In June of 1960, Lena met the love of her life, Bennie Raska. They went dancing on their first date, and it was love at first sight. After just two weeks, they were engaged and married three months later, on September 4, 1960. Their love story spanned 64 beautiful years, filled with laughter, faith, and cherished memories made with their children, grandchildren, family, and friends.

Lena was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother whose greatest joy came from caring for the people she loved. She dedicated her life to her family, raising her three children with compassion, strength, and an ever-present homemade meal on the table. She served as a homeroom mom, team mom for baseball and football, and the go-to ride to school. Her kitchen was the heart of the home. Bennie tended the garden, and Lena turned his vegetables into meals that brought everyone together. Her favorite dish to prepare was pasta and meatballs with fried chicken, a family favorite.

Affectionately known as “Peewee,” Lena had a natural gift for staying connected. She kept up with everyone’s lives through daily phone calls, and never missed sending a card for a birthday or anniversary. Her thoughtful nature and personal touch made everyone feel remembered and loved.

She enjoyed many summers with family at Inks Lake and, after retirement, traveled across the U.S. with her loved ones. Throughout her life, Lena was grounded in her deep Catholic faith. A parishioner at Assumption Catholic Church for over 60 years, she taught religious education classes, counseled engaged couples, and served as Godmother to many nieces and nephews.

Lena was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bennie Raska; her parents, Michael Angelo and Mary Mallo Orlando; and five siblings: Josephine Hughes, Paul Orlando, James Orlando, Michael Orlando Jr., and Lucille Oliver.

She is survived by her three children: Cheryl Raska Webb and her husband Jeffrey Webb, Benjamin Raska and his wife Lynn (Friedrich) Raska, and Steven Raska and his wife Paula (Zuckero) Raska.

She also leaves behind eight grandchildren: Madelyn Raska, Hannah Morris Raska and her husband Cameron Morris, Alexandra Raska, Kathryn Raska Journeay and her husband Hank Journeay, Isabella Raska, Johnathan Dudley, Phillip Raska, and Benjamin Raska Jr.; and one great-grandchild, Henry Morris.

Lena is also survived by her sister, Elizabeth Robson, and brother, Joseph Orlando.

The family extends our heartfelt thanks to everyone at Harmony Memory Care for the care, kindness, and compassion you showed to our mom. Your dedication means the world to us, and we are truly grateful for the support and comfort you provided.

Lena will be remembered as a kind and loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Her legacy of love, service, and deep faith lives on in all who were blessed to know her.

A celebration of Lena’s life will be held with a visitation on Sunday, October 26, from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. and Rosary Service at 5:30 p.m. at Earthman Resthaven, 13102 North Freeway. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, October 27 at 10:00 a.m. at Assumption Catholic Church, 901 Roselane Street. The Rite of Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. at Resthaven.

Pallbearers: Phillip Raska, Benjamin Raska Jr., Hank Journeay, Cameron Morris, Michael Orlando, Joseph Orlando

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Lena Raska to Assumption Catholic Church, 901 Roselane, Houston, Texas, 77037, Attention: Father Osas Onaiwu, CRS; or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a not-for-profit, section 501(c)(3); st.jude.org.