Josephine E. Baranauskis

Josephine Elizabeth (Alis) Baranauskis passed away Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at the age of 101.
Beloved wife of John Baranauskis; loving mother of Mary (David) Monchak and Deanna (Tom) White; grandmother of Michelle, Lisa, Scott, Heather and Suzie; Great grandmother of Adam, Lance, Kyle, Eric, Ryan, Julia, John, Thomas, Josephine, Evelyn, Tanner and Brayden.
Josephine was born in 1920 in Beloit, Wisconsin. She grew up with her mother, Maria, her dad, Sebastian, her sisters, Dee and Katie and her brother, John in Rockford, Illinois. Her sisters were her best friends and they did everything together. In fact, all three sisters married best friends from the neighborhood. Josephine married the love of her life, John, on October 4, 1941. They were married 39 years until John passed away in 1980. Josephine spent her days cherishing family time. The three “golden girls” raised their families together forming an always growing circle with cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandchildren. Gatherings were frequent and laughter could be heard as “sugo” was spooned generously onto pasta noodles. A shared cottage on Pleasant Lake provided time for fishing, swimming, and meals filled with love.
All who knew Josephine recognized and were drawn to her deeply compassionate soul. She was a model of joy and faith. She will be deeply missed as the matriarch of our family. Yet, she leaves a legacy of love.
Visitation will be Monday, January 31, 2022 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 1010 Ferguson St, Rockford, IL. Mass of Christian burial to follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church. Burial at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for a cause to be determined.