Marianne Unger, age 71, passed away on Sunday, May 8, 2022, at her residence in Salem Lakes, WI.

Born on December 7, 1950, in Milwaukee, she was the daughter of the late Raymond and Veronica (Rosolek) Unger.

She began her college education at Marquette University, then transferred to Alverno College. It was there that she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education with a minor in music and theater.  She furthered her education at Loyola University Chicago with a master’s degree in pastoral studies. She was a lifelong student always learning, in an academic environment is where she was most comfortable.

Marianne started her employment with teaching various studies including music in elementary schools in Waukesha, later with Kenosha Unified School District and other various schools. Later she was an Adjunct Professor with Concordia University in Kenosha and Carthage College in the sociology department. Marianne continued teaching as a substitute teacher with various Kenosha County Schools until her retirement. Marianne was an advocate for social justice and gained great fulfillment in helping others, she also worked as a home caregiver for several years.

She enjoyed classical music and theater; often playing the piano at Mass for various parishes. She sang and performed with Alverno Madrigal Singers, Theater Alverno and Milwaukee’s Florentine Opera Company. Her musical passion transferred to her family, especially her daughter, Emily. She had a love of horses, training and riding as a rodeo barrel racer earning many ribbons in her younger years. Her best friends had four legs and a wagging tail: mostly German Shepherds. The passion she had for dogs led her to volunteer for animal shelters. Family time, which she cherished, was spent going to the pool, watching movies, going to the fair and walking along Lake Michigan.

A big heart with an inquiring mind, a soul who lived many lifetimes, an opera singer in Milwaukee, a cowgirl in Montana, a professor, a minister and a loving mother, a true original who leaves her legacy with her children, Justin Unger, Emily (Daniel) Evans and her granddaughter, Lauren Unger, along with her rescue dogs, Athena and Belle.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family would be appreciated.

Service Info

Marianne will be laid to rest next to her father on Friday, May 13, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Cemetery, 7301 W. Nash Street, Milwaukee, WI.