Marilyn C. "Mary" Ahnen

Marilyn Catherine Ahnen, “Mary”, age 81, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at Aurora Medical Center in Kenosha, surrounded by her family. She was born in Racine on May 7, 1936 to Frederick and Constance (Nee: Kessler) Kowalsky.

Mary graduated from St. Catherine’s High School, “Class of 1954.” On November 16, 1957, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, John G. Ahnen, a union blessed with 10 children. Mary was a longtime member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. She enjoyed square dancing, swimming, walking, camping and watching the Green Bay Packers with her family. She excelled at many talents; everything from baking to crocheting to making others laugh with her clever play on words. Above all she treasured anything that involved spending time with her family. She loved to plan and host parties, and made everyone feel so welcome. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who will be dearly missed. She has been reunited with her daughter Rose, who preceded her in death, along with her parents and sister Laurie (Bob) Scholz.

Surviving are her husband of 59 years, John “Jerry” Ahnen, and nine of her children, Deb (Randy) Sell, Dave (Sherry) Ahnen, Lori (Scott) Engelhart, Carolyn (Jeff) Peterson, Ron Ahnen (Angela Canestraro), Dan Ahnen, Ed (Holly) Ahnen, Barb (Karl) aus dem Bruch and Anne (Todd) Stillman. Mary was also blessed with 24 grandchildren, Nikki (Dave) Jodat, Kevin (Amanda) Sell, Corinne (Dan) Crimi, Zach (Lisa) Ahnen, Hannah Ahnen, Jacob Ahnen, Michael Annis, Cassie (Eric) Daft, Alexis Peterson, Pepe Canestraro Ahnen, Sofia Canestraro Ahnen, Lucas Canestraro Ahnen, Josh Ahnen, Kaitlyn (Shane) McQuade, Mario Ahnen, Violet Ahnen, Willow Ahnen, Savannah Ahnen, Noah Ahnen, Cecilia aus dem Bruch, Jonah aus dem Bruch, Gabriel aus dem Bruch, Cole Stillman and Maya Stillman; and 8 great-grandchildren, Owen Jodat, Bryce Jodat, Abigail Sell, Jason Crimi, Jackson Crimi, Emmalyn Crimi, Kimberly McQuade and Braydon Ahnen. Mary is also survived by her brothers and sisters, Elaine (Don) Longmore, Jerry (Gil) Zimprich, Fr. Myron Kowalsky, Carol (John) Pomeroy, and Fred (Andrew Luetgens) Kowalsky, many sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, October 4, 2017, 10:30 A.M. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 1533 Erie Street, with Reverend Steve Varghese officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet Tuesday at Maresh-Meredith & Acklam Funeral Home, 4-7 P.M. and at St. Joseph’s on Wednesday, 9:30 A.M. until time of Mass at 10:30 A.M. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association have been suggested.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Azura for their loving and compassionate care.