June 3, 1933 – February 6, 2026
Marianne Ironside, 92, of Kenosha, WI, passed away peacefully at Parkside Manor on Friday, February 6, 2026.
Born in Fayette County, IA, on June 3, 1933, she was the daughter of the late John W. and Helen (Fitzpatrick) Finnegan. Her heart never left Iowa.
Marianne lived a life of service and devotion to her family, faith, friends, and community. She raised 6 children, who were her greatest legacy and topic. Her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren always made her proud and put a smile on her face. Family gatherings were her favorite pastime. She instilled in her family the philosophy “Do all you can for others, but stop and smell the flowers.” She had a career that spanned 48 years, which included Kenosha Memorial Hospital, St. Catherine’s Hospital, Dr. Rafferty, Witt, and Azuma’s office, Concordia University, Kemper Center, her own, Aunt Mollie’s Creative Curtains, and the co-owner and proprietor of Library Square Bed and Breakfast.
Marianne’s mission was to give all she could to her community, and she volunteered at a long list of organizations in Kenosha since her arrival in the 1950s, including PTA president at Columbus School, Girl Scouts, St. Catherine’s Hospital, Hospice Alliance, the Literacy Council, Pollard Gallery, local museums, and many more.
She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and a former member of St. Thomas and St. Anne, where she served those faith communities in many capacities.
She developed friends from day one of moving to Kenosha through Welcome Wagon, who are still friends today, many of whom are Red Hats. She enjoyed Bridge and golf with her friends, and she was an avid walker and swimmer.
If you knew her, you’d know her Irish eyes were always smiling, often with a bit of feistiness and sass. The “wearing of the green” at the funeral would definitely make her smile all the way from heaven.
Marianne is survived by her children, Terri (John) Clarke, Tim (Debbie) Ironside, Ted Ironside, Todd Ironside, Tracie (David) Clanaugh, Tami (John) Rakow; grandchildren, Amy (Joe), Ellen (Adam), Allison, Amber (Jake), Andrew (Collette), Mari (Gill), Helen, Arryn, Kelsi (Ryan), Ian (Emma); and great-grandchildren, Colt, Layla, Jack, Ben, Liam, Addie, Emma, Freya, and many nieces and nephews.
Marianne is the last of her generation. She is preceded in death by her former husband, Jerry, her siblings and their spouses, Jean (Wes) Schultz and Michael (Patricia) Finnegan; her in-laws, Jim (Dorothy) Ironside, Joe (Donna) Ironside, Catherine O’Rourke, and Eloise (Cliff) Stockwell. She is also preceded in death by her great-granddaughter, Mackenzie Ironside; her nephews, Larry, Michael, and Mike; and her nieces, Martha and Kathy.
A memorial visitation will be held at Proko Funeral Home on Thursday, February 12, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. An additional visitation will be held the next day, Friday, February 13, 2026, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 7307 40th Avenue, from 10:00 a.m. until the Memorial Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the Kemper Center or St. Mary Catholic Church in her memory.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Marianne, please visit our Tree Store.
Events
Visitation
Thursday, February 12, 2026
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Proko Funeral Home & Crematory
5111-60th Street KENOSHA, WI 53144
Second Visitation
Friday, February 13, 2026
10:00 am – 11:00 am
St. Mary’s Catholic Church
7307 40th Avenue Kenosha, WI 53142
View MapTextEmail
Memorial Mass
Friday, February 13, 2026
11:00 am
St. Mary’s Catholic Church
7307 40th Avenue Kenosha, WI 53142
