Marianne H. Cannestra

Marianne Cannestra peacefully passed away on August 3, 2026, in Madison, WI, just prior to her 92nd birthday. The oldest child of the late Marion and Elizabeth (Skubal) Smrz, she was born August 16, 1934, in Milwaukee, WI. Marianne obtained her B.A. in Elementary Education from the Wisconsin State College-Milwaukee. She was united in marriage with Joseph Cannestra on June 29, 1957, eventually settling in Elkhorn, WI.

Marianne felt her most important callings were to God and as the mother of five children and nine grandchildren. A graduate of the first Certified Lay Ministers class at St. Francis Seminary, she ministered at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Elkhorn, WI before becoming the RCIA Coordinator and Adult Education Committee Lead at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Eagle, WI. Marianne was also actively engaged in the community through Elkhorn Jr Women’s Club, Meals on Wheels, Walworth County Fair, and Girl Scouts. A life-long fiber artist, she was an exceptional seamstress and quilter.

Marianne’s last moments were saying farewell to her family: Robert Cannestra of Greenville, MI and his son, Caleb; Beth Cannestra of Madison, WI and her daughters Ava and Sarah; Amy (Dan) Bladow of Walkerton, IN and their daughters Sage (Jeremy) and Tess; Laura (James) Conklin of Kohler, WI and their children Megan (fiancé Robert), James, and Joseph; and Jennifer (Jodi Frangiamore) Cannestra of Denver, CO and their daughter, Samantha. She is further survived by four sisters: Eileen (James) Kaiser, Carol Roszina, Leonna (Robert) Borneman, and Diane Mazurek, and many other relatives and friends. Marianne’s final wish was to be reunited with her loving husband of 59 years, Joseph, who preceded her in death.

A memorial mass will be held on September 1, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Theresa of Avila Catholic Church Eagle, WI with Fr. Mark Payne officiating. Following the service, inurnment will be at St. Theresa Catholic Cemetery Eagle, WI. Visitation will be at the church at 9:30 a.m. until the time of mass. The Cannestra family is being assisted by Haase-Lockwood and Associates Funeral Homes and Crematory with an online guestbook at www.haaselockwoodfhs.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations could be made to Heart of the Nation at heartofthenation.org.