Warreen “Reeny” Wiana Kakuk (née White), age 85, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2026. She was born on January 4, 1941, and raised in Marinette before moving with her husband in 1992 to Daggett.
Reeny is survived by her husband of 63 years, Anthony S. Kakuk; sons Shawn Kakuk and Anthony W. Kakuk (Melissa); and beautiful grandchildren Sydney, Chaise, and Avery. Reeny will be reunited in heaven with parents William and Katherine White, brother Wellington “Whitey” White, and sisters Waunita “Pete” Brown and Winona “Noni” Newman; and her parents-in-law, Dorothy and Stephen Kakuk.
A dedicated mother and homemaker, Reeny lived her life selflessly, always putting her family first. She offered love, support, and a listening ear to anyone who needed it, as people easily confided in her. Her quick wit and ability to find humor in everything made her the life of the party. She lived by her mother’s motto, “You better keep laughing or you’re going to be crying.”
Reeny was a member of the first graduating class at Marinette Catholic Central High School in 1959. She remained deeply connected to her classmates and orchestrated every class reunion. Her class reunion planning expertise spread to her husband’s Stephenson High School class as she organized several reunions for his graduating class. She was, without question, the GOAT of class reunion planners.
Reeny was an extraordinary cook, creating most of her recipes from scratch. She also had a passion for yardwork, filling the Newberry Avenue yard in Marinette with marigolds and petunias every spring in the large railroad tie planters that populated the yard. During Christmas season, the yard became a beloved community stop, where she ran the family’s Christmas tree operation. She gave Newberry Avenue an amazing vibe year-round.
Reeny loved “shoppy shoppy” and had an uncanny ability to find the best deals, especially through her mail-order catalogs. Reeny’s thirst for deals spurred her to write a letter to the CEO of Walmart urging the company to open a store in Marinette, and legend has it that Reeny’s letter was instrumental in Walmart’s decision to finally launch a store in Marinette.
She enjoyed music and loved to dance, especially with her husband as the two of them floated across the dance floor in perfect synch. Reeny was also a master of rummage sales, hosting epic sales in Marinette and later in Daggett, each one meticulously planned and wildly successful, earning her the nickname “Reeny Rummage.”
After high school, Reeny worked at the glove factory in Marinette before marrying Tony and becoming a full-time homemaker. While raising the boys, Reeny volunteered as an election judge at the Garfield polling location for 10 years, and when the boys were older, she worked at Flip Side Records on the corner of Main and Wells in Marinette, which was a job she adored and reminisced about throughout her life.
Reeny was the master of organization. She knew every due date and birthday, filed every receipt and invoice, balanced the checkbook to the penny, and kept meticulous records for her and her husband’s construction business. She never used a computer, but eventually became very adept with an iPhone for staying in contact with family and friends and catching up on episodes of “The Young and the Restless.”
Reeny touched countless lives. Everyone adored her, learned from her, and carries a piece of her with them today. Reeny’s legacy is one of love, laughter, devotion, and the quiet, powerful impact of a life lived wholeheartedly for others. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
Service Information
Visitation: Friday, January 30, at Anderson-Diehm Funeral Home, Stephenson, from 3:00 p.m. until the time of the Vigil Prayer Service at 6:00 p.m. led by Father Jamie Ziminski.
Additional Visitation: Saturday, January 31, in the memorial room at Precious Blood Catholic Church, Stephenson, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass.
Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, January 31, at 11:00 a.m. at Precious Blood Catholic Church with Father Jamie Ziminski officiating.
Entombment: Will follow in the Stephenson Township Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in Reeny’s name for some of her favorite charities. Any expressions of sympathy and kindness may be directed to Tony Kakuk.
