On Monday February 12, 2024 Mary R. Sipsma age 95 passed away peacefully at the Legacy at St. Joseph’s in Pleasant Prairie where she resided. Mary was a life long resident of the City of Kenosha and Village of Pleasant Prairie. Mary (Zaleski) met Harold Sipsma at the Eagles Ballroom in Kenosha, eventually marrying on October 27,1951. Mary and Harold were married 69 years until Harold’s death on January 24, 2021. Mary was raised as a member of St Casimir Catholic Church, was a long time member at St Mary’s Catholic Church and more recently attended services at the Legacy of St Joe’s Chapel where she found peace and comfort.
Mary was born in Kenosha to her late parents Louis and Lena (Bellotti) Zaleski.
She is survived by brothers Michael (Sue) Zaleski, James (Beverly) Zaleski and sister Elizabeth Harp. Mary was preceded in death by brother Peter (Marlene) Zaleski and twin sisters Jean (Eugene) Thomas and Joan Curnes.
Mary attended schools in the City of Kenosha graduating from Mary D. Bradford Senior High School in 1946 and received a Library Technical Assistant Degree from Kenosha Technical Institute in 1971. Mary loved books. She loved meeting people, talking with people and helping people. So her occupation as a librarian was a good fit. For many years Mary worked at her favorite position as a Medical Librarian at St Catherine’s Hospital. Mary retired from St Catherine’s in 1987.
Mary was passionate about reading books, newspapers, magazines. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed a good Old Fashion. Mary was however, most passionate and loving of her family. She was very proud of her four children and adored her six grand children and six great grand children. She always took great pleasure in any opportunity to help her children through the laughter and tears of raising their children. Mary also adored her brothers and sisters. A family gathering of her and her siblings was always filled with conversation and laughter.
Mary was preceded in death by her son Ken (Susan Stolen) Sipsma and is survived by her sons Gary (Anne) Sipsma and Michael (Fernanda) Sipsma, her daughter Sue (Miguel) Gesmundo, her grandchildren Amy (Troy Seals) Sipsma, Molly (Tyler Johnson) Sipsma, Kristen (David Case) Sipsma, Erik (Alice Wei) Sipsma, Jack (Cindy) Edquist, Samantha (Chris) Swenson, great grandsons Hudson, Finn and Parker and great grand daughters Alma, Lena and Willow.
Thank you to the Legacy at St. Joseph’s for the compassionate care provided to Mary.
Private Funeral Services for Mary will be held.
