Marianne Cannestra peacefully passed away on Aug. 3, 2026, in Madison, just prior to her 92nd birthday. The oldest child of the late Marion and Elizabeth (Skubal) Smrz, she was born Aug. 16, 1934, in Milwaukee. 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.
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, before becoming the RCIA Coordinator and Adult Education Committee Lead at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Eagle. 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, son Robert Cannestra of Greenville, Michigan with his son Caleb, daughter Beth Cannestra of Madison with her daughters Ava and Sarah; daughter Amy (Dan) Bladow of Walkerton, Indiana with their daughters Sage (Jeremy) and Tess; daughter Laura (James) Conklin of Kohler with their children Megan (fiancé Robert), James, and Joseph; and daughter Jennifer (Jodi Frangiamore) Cannestra of Denver with 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 Sept. 1, 2026, at 11 a.m. at St. Theresa of Avila Catholic Church in Eagle, with Fr. Mark Payne officiating. Following the service, inurnment will be at St. Theresa Catholic Cemetery in Eagle. 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. Online guestbook is available at www.haaselockwoodfhs.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations could be made to Heart of the Nation at www.heartofthenation.org.