Leonette Kernan
Leonette Julia Kernan, 100, of Wexford died Monday, July 1, 2019 at Thornton Manor, Lansing. Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, July 6 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wexford with Rev. John Moser as the Celebrant. Inurnment followed at Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery, Wexford.
Leonette Julia Mullarkey was born May 23, 1919 to Michael and Mary (Brennan) Mullarkey in Wexford. She graduated from high school in Lansing.
Leonette was united in marriage with Francis Kernan July 30, 1940 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Wexford. Six children were born to this union. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wexford.
Leonette was a strong and capable woman who weathered many adverse times in her 100 years. She was always comforted by her faith and love of family. She was forever the teacher of how to make tough tasks into fun “Bees,” whether it was butchering chickens, freezing corn, making pies, cutting wood, etc.
The door was always open at the Kernan farm for parties of all kinds. She loved “commotion” and always felt better having something to look forward to. Leonette thrived on situations like housing and feeding 20-plus unexpected guests at the drop of a hat. She loved to laugh, play a great game of cards, tell witty stories and make everyone she came in contact with feel important and loved. She will be dearly missed. It’s up to us now to remember and practice all the lessons that she taught us.
Leonette is survived by her four children, Jack (Mary Ann) Kernan of Winter, WI, Jerry (Anne) Kernan of Stoddard, WI, Marilyn Clarkin of Onalaska, WI and Denny (Jami) Kernan of Minneapolis, MN; her daughter-in-law, Mary Kernan of Lansing; 17 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and two siblings, Eleanor O’Neill of Waukon and Carl (Mona) Mullarkey of Wexford.
Leonette was preceded in death by her husband, Francis Kernan; her sons, Bob Kernan and Bill Kernan; her parents; two sons-in-law, Al Wagner and Dave Clarkin; and her siblings, William Mullarkey, Evelyn Delaney, Marguerite Manning, Catherine Dowd and Leo Mullarkey.
Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Lansing assisted the family with arrangements.
