Rachel Deneen
October 23, 1946 - January 08, 2024
Obituary
Rachel Deneen, 77, passed away on Monday, January 8, 2024, following a period of decline inflicted on her by dementia. She was born on October 23,1946 to Francis Finnegan and Gilda (Howell) Finnegan and grew up in Fennimore. Rachel was a cheerleader, and she enjoyed roller skating and going to the Friday night dances with friends. She loved American Bandstand and learning the new dance steps. Rachel was an excellent student and graduated from Fennimore High School in 1964.
After high school graduation, Rachel enrolled in the University of Wisconsin – Platteville, with plans to become a teacher like her mother and sister. It was here that she met future husband, Edward Deneen. She graduated with an English major and a Phys-Ed minor and started her teaching career as a Phys-Ed teacher at Platteville High School. Ed and Rachel were married on December 27,1968 at St. Mary's Church in Platteville.
Rachel and Ed have three children, and after their first was born, she left teaching to stay at home. Although Rachel loved raising her children, she still missed teaching, so once all her kids were in school, she began as a substitute teacher in the Platteville School District. Rachel still loved dancing too, so she and Ed would often get a babysitter for a night out. She also taught Jazzercize (dance/exercise) classes. In 1989, Rachel returned to teaching full time, as a Social Studies teacher at Platteville Middle School. She remained in this position until retiring in 2011. And then, deciding that she wasn't quite ready to stop teaching, she became a substitute at Platteville High School for many more years.
Rachel is survived by her husband of 55 years, Ed; three children, Amy (Todd) Johnson, Bridget Hinton, and Chad Deneen; grandchildren, Riley, Connor, and Brady Johnson, and Jada and Jaylon Hinton; sister, Marcia Wilkins; brother, Peter (Renee) Finnegan; brother-in-law, David (Lynn) Deneen; sister-in-law, Rita Deneen; and much-loved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.
A private celebration of life will be held on January 27th at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, Wisconsin. Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the establishment of the Rachel Deneen Memorial Scholarship Fund, for students at Platteville High School. These can be mailed to Amy Johnson at 2034 N 115th St., Wauwatosa, WI 53226 or contribute online at https://rachel-deneen-memorial-scholarship-fund.cheddarup.com/