Wanda Caroline Severinsen
KENOSHA, Wis. — Wanda Caroline Severinsen, 101, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, formerly of Rapid River, passed away on January 3, 2025, at Robin Way Assisted Living in Kenosha. Wanda was born Clara Agnes Cieniuch on August 2, 1923, aboard the SS George Washington in New York Harbor. Her family was enroute to Poland for a visit. She spent the first year of her life in Poland and Polish was the first language she spoke. Their family returned to the United States where Wanda grew up on the northwest side of Chicago.
She attended St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Catholic Elementary School and graduated from St. Columbkille High School. As a young woman, when Wanda’s father purchased a tavern and dance hall in the Upper Peninsula, he sent her to run the establishment. It was there she met her future husband, Robert Severinsen, who had just returned from the Army after serving in World War II. Bob followed Wanda back to Chicagoland, where they were married and raised a family of six children. In 1983, after Wanda and Bob retired, they moved back to the Upper Peninsula, settling in Rapid River on Lake Michigan.
Over the years, their home was a favorite place to visit for children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family and friends. Wanda enjoyed knitting and crocheting. Many of her loved ones have afghans, ponchos, hats, mittens, sweaters and stuffed characters (even a happy corncob)!
Wanda is survived by her children, Linda (Frank) Nagatani of Evanston, Ill., Robert (Nancy) Severinsen of Sheybogan, Wis., Steven (Leslie) Severinsen of Gurnee, Ill., Randolph (Elizabeth) Severinsen of Wallace, Mich., Janet (Paul) Brakel of Riverdale, Iowa, and Therese (Karl) Lutz of Libertyville, Ill., 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Agnes (Kaczor) Cieniuch; stepmother, Caroline Cieniuch; husband, Robert Severinsen; grandson, Daniel Brakel; sister, Jean Szatkowski; brothers, Joseph and Robert Cieniuch, and son-in-law, Frank Nagatani.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 2, at the Stonington Community Center. Burial will take place in the Bay de Noc Cemetery in Stonington with a luncheon to follow back at the Stonington Community Center.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Wanda can be sent to: Robin Way Assisted Living,7377 88th Ave., Kenosha, WI 53142 OR St. Croix Hospice, 8825 S. Howell Ave # 102, Oak Creek, WI 53154.
The Anderson Funeral Homes of Escanaba and Gladstone are assisting the Severinsen family with the arrangements and online condolences can be sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralhomes.