Sunday, December 12, 1999

Obituary: Thomas J. Stanek - Class of 1966

MADISON - Thomas J. Stanek, age 52, died on Saturday, December 11, 1999 at the Veteran's Hospital after a brief illness. He was born on July 9, 1947 in Madison, the son of Idell "Betty" (Merklein) Stanek and the late Edward Stanek. Tom was a 1966 graduate of Central High School and then served in the U.S. Navy. He was formerly employed by the U.S. Postal Service. Tom loved the outdoors, camping, boating, vegetable gardening and animals. Tom is survived by two daughters, Ginny (Thomas) Hoven of Oregon and Amy (Troy) Enloe of Verona; a grandson, Mason Hoven of Oregon; his mother, Idell "Betty" Stanek of Madison; his aunt, Elizabeth Stanek of Madison; two brothers, James (Pam) Stanek of Newport, Rhode Island and Joseph (Carol) Stanek of McFarland; aunts, an uncle, a niece, cousins, special friends, Carl Ihm and Rich Bennett; many friends, and his dog, Pluto. He was preceded in death by his father, Edward. Funeral srvices wil be held on Tuesday, December 14, 1999 at 2:00 p.m. at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery. Family will greet friends one hour before the time of the service on Tuesday. The family would like to give special thanks to the doctors and nurses of the Veteran's Hospital for their excellent care and support. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to the Dane County Humane Society building fund.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 12, 1999

Friday, December 03, 1999

Josephine M. "JoJo" (Namio) Terzich - Class of 1967

MADISON - Josephine M. "Jojo" (Namio) Terzich passed away on Monday, December 1, 1997 at home. She was born in Madison on June 1, 1949 to Joseph and Caroline (Vitale) Namio. She was the third of four daughters and her father's namesake. JoJo graduated from St. Joseph's Grade School, Central High School in 1967, and attended Madison Area Technical College. She worked most of her life in the family restaurant, Namio's Supper Club. More recently she owned and operated Park Street Pets with the help of her children and sisters until shortly before her death. JoJo was a daughter, sister, niece, mother, cousin, and loyal friend. She structured her adult life around the well-being of her children. She loved golf, breeding exotic birds, all outdoor activities, and being with her family. She is survived by two children, Joseph and Tina Terzich; her parents; and her three sisters, DeDe (Richard) Munz, Jane Lien, and Kathy (Stan Reed) Namio. She is also survived by her dear friend and companion, Dave Ruhland; aunts and uncles, Sam J. Namio, Steve and Ann (Namio) Caravello, John (Evelyn Parkhurst) Namio, Frances Buscemi, Vicky Pellitteri-Stassi, and Catherine Gianquinto; and several cousins, nieces, nephews and three great-nephews. A memorial service will be held on Friday, december 5, 1997 at 1:00 p.m. at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3618 Speedway Road. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to an account at the Park Bank for her children Joseph and Tina Terzich, P.O. Box 8689, Madison, Wisconsin 53708. Attention: Lora. JoJo wanted us to thank the patrons of Park Street Pets, The Macaw Club, and a special thank you to the Gynecological Oncology Staff at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and the HospiceCare Staff who showed her and her family that even when there is no hope there need not be despair.
There is no greater battle fought than the battle a mother fights to stay alive for her children. God bless you, JoJo. We love you. We know you are waiting for us, whole again and at peace.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 3, 1997

Wednesday, November 10, 1999

Obituary: G. Stanley Custer - Class of 1934

MARSHFIELD - G. Stanley Custer, M.D., age 84, of Marshfield, Wisconsin, died on Sunday, November 7, 1999. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 11, 1999 at 11:00 a.m. at the FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, Marshfield. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 10, 1999 at REMBS/KUNDINGER FUNERAL HOME, Marshfield, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., and the family will receive relatives and friends at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Dr. Custer is survived by his childrem, Stephan Gregory Custer of Bozeman, Montana, Luise Melanie Tygiel of San Francisco, California, and Katherine Elizabeth Pierch of Puyallup, Washington; his seven grandchildren; and his brothers and sisters, Frank S. Custer of Madison, Wisconsin, Rudolf P. Custer of Atlanta, Georgia, Maja Olsen of Banks, Oregon, and Ebey Joy Dakin of Dallas, Oregon. Memorials may be made to the Palm Sunday Concert Organization in care of Marshfield Community Foundation; The First Presbyterian Church, Marshfield; Wisconsin Choral Directors Association; or Marshfield Clinic Medical Research Foundation. Rembs Kundinger Funeral Home, 300 South Oak Avenue, Marshfield, Wisconsin 54449, 608-387-1242

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on November 10, 1999

Wednesday, November 03, 1999

Obituary: Katherine Pelton Smith Snell - Class of 1927

MADISON - Katharine Pelton Smith Snell, age 89, died on Wednesday, October 27, 1999 in Madison. She was born on November 8, 1909 in Madison, the daughter of Harry Gray Smith and Jessie Mary Pelton Smith. She attended Doty grade school, Madison Central High School, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison with a bachelor's degree in botany in 1931. She was elected to Phi Beta Kappa honorary society in 1931. She earned a master's degree in the same subject in 1933. While a graduate student, she met her husband, John Morphy Snell of St. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada. They were married on July 20, 1935 at the bride's home at 4257 Mineral Point Road, Madison. She lived a few years in the east with her husband, until his death in 1941. After that, she moved back to Madison and has lived there ever since. She retired in 1975 after working 20 years as assistant curator of the herbarium at the University of Wisconsin. Katharine was a direct descendant of William Bradford, Miles Standish, John Alden, and Richard Warren of the Plymouth Colony of 1620. Katharine was a third generation member of First Congregational Church of Madison, and was active there over the years as a nursery attendant, Sunday school teacher, cradle roll keeper, and a member of section 11. She was also an active member of the AAUW, and a member of their antiques club. Katharine lived at 228 East Sunset Court for 52 years, before moving into Oakwood Retirement Home in December 1992. Katharine was preceded in death by her husband, John M. Snell; by her brothers, Robert Standish Smith, and William Bradford Smith; and by her sister, Merian Bradford Smith. She is survived by her two children, John Bradford Snell (Jeanie) of Lake Elmo, Minnesota, and Mary Evelyn Snell Fish (Lawrence) of San Francisco; six grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and also by a sister-in-law, Betty Smith of Madison. Burial will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park, and a memorial service will be held at OAKWOOD MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 6201 Mineral Point Road, at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 6, 1999. Friends may call one hour before the time of service at the chapel. Cress Funeral Service 3610 Speedway Road.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on November 3, 1999.

Katherine Pelton Smith Snell's class year is based in information in the 1927 Tychoberahn, where she is pictured among the graduating seniors.

Friday, July 02, 1999

Obituary: Stephen Rahn - Class of 1967

MARATHON, FLORIDA/ MADISON - Stephen F. Rahn, age 50 of Marathon, Florida and formerly of Madison, died on Tuesday, June 29,1999 at 4:15 a.m. in the intensive care unit of Fishermen’s Hospital, Marathon, Florida, following an automobile accident the day before on US Highway 1, MM 58 Grassy Key, near Marathon. Stephen was born on September 15, 1948 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, son of Alice T. (Fisher) Rahn of Madison and the late Douglas A. Rahn, Sr., who died in 1964. He was a lifelong resident of Madison and while a youth was a proud member of the Madison City Boys' Choir. He graduated in 1967 from Central High School, Madison and lettered in varsity swimming, track and cross country. He then attended the University of Wisconsin, Platteville for two years before voluntarily enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1969. He served the Corps proudly and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal with one Star, a Presidential Unit Commendation Ribbon and a Purple Heart for injuries suffered in combat. He was honorably discharged from the Marine Reserves in May 1974. After returning home he worked in his vocation of restoring classic automobiles and enjoyed his avocations of deer hunting, deep sea fishing, sailing, boating, Karate and Tae Kwan Do. Five years ago his love and the call of the Atlantic brought Linda and Steve to Marathon, Florida. Steve’s many friends saw him as a special person who always seemed to bring out the best in people. In their relationships, whatever they might have been, people of all walks of life and he seemed to get along together. Surviving in addition to his mother in Wisconsin, is his wife, Linda L. (Sugden) Rahn, whom he married on May 21, 1983 in Madison: a stepson, Justin S. Sugden of Sun Prairie; two brothers, Douglas A. Rahn Jr. and his wife, Ann, and Nicholas T. Rahn: a niece, Michelle Rahn; three nephews, Brenton, Douglas III and Andrew Rahn; and a godson, Andrew Kalin, all of Madison; three aunts; and an uncle. The family wishes to share a quote that Stephen lived by and often said, “You can not go back, you have to go forward.” Following cremation, there will be a Memorial Gathering on Friday, July 2, 1999 at 5:00-p.m. at SAN PABLO CATHOLIC CHURCH, Marathon Shores, Florida, where friends may gather until 7:00 p.m. Memorial Services will be held at a later date in Madison for friends and relatives there. In lieu of flowers, those desiring are asked to remember Steve with a contribution to the charily of their choice or to his wife, Linda in Marathon, at P.O. Box 500623, Marathon, FL 33050. Cremation and arrangements have been entrusted to the MARTIN-VEGUE FUNERAL HOME, 2901 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050.

Originally published in The Capital Times on July 2, 1999. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968).