Thursday, January 23, 2003

Obituary: Delores "Dee" (Launder) Starkey Class of 1956

MADISON - Delores "Dee" Starkey, age 64, of Madison, died on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2003, at her home, due to breast cancer. She was born on Sept. 7, 1938, in Madison, to Arnold and Agnes Launder. Dee graduated from Madison Central High School in 1956. She married Ronald Starkey on April 12, 1956. Dee was a devoted mother and grandmother. She was an avid sports fan and enjoyed birds, arts and crafts. Dee is survived by her husband, Ron of Madison; five children, Cindy Starkey, Kathy (Joe) Waite, Laura (David) Laundrie, Tanya (Jim) Zempel and Ronnie Starkey; eight grandchildren, Sheena and Cody Starkey, Patrick and Kallie Waite, Tyler and Sara Kaech, and Courtney and Riley Zempel; two brothers, Dick Launder and Bob (Pat) Launder; and many nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Susie "Bean" Launder. She was preceded in death by her parents. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24, 2003, with Father Tony Schumacher presiding. Burial will be in Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. A special thanks to Dr. Dan Barry, Dr. William Rock, Dawn Hennesly and the Hospice staff, especially Linda, Mary and Jennifer., May the roads rise up, to meet you May the wind be always, at your back May the sunshine, warm your face And until we meet again, May God hold you, in the palm of His hand. "Grandma, you were the best Grandma anyone could ever have. We are lucky to have had you in our lives. You will always live on in our hearts. Love, your grandchildren. Gunderson East Funeral Home (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 23, 2003

Sunday, January 12, 2003

Obituary: Loraine Solveig (Neesvig) Stevens - Class of 1929

MADISON - Loraine Solveig Neesvig Stevens, age 92, passed away Friday, January 10, 2003, at St. Marys Hospital surrounded by her family. She was born April 19, 1910, in Milwaukee to Leonard and Petra Neesvig. In her youth, her family moved to Madison where she remained the rest of her life. She graduated from Central High School in 1929. She married Rudolph S. Stevens in 1933. She had great faith in God and was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, was an active member in the ladies aid, a talented and accomplished artist, and lived and surrounded herself and her family in the old Norwegian traditions. In 1936, Stevens Super Market was started which later became Stevens Restaurant under her son Robert. Rudolph Stevens opened Stevens Dairy Bar in 1940, and on this same location he opened Stevens House of Gifts in 1961. She is survived by her loving and devoted sister, Otella Cook; daughters Marilyn (Richard) Blaschke, Alayne (Don) Macaulay; son Robert L. Stevens; 17 grandchildren, Peter (Elizabeth) Jensen, Dr. James (Sue) Jensen, Marilyn Jensen Vorpagel, Steven (Karen) Blaschke, Ellen Blaschke, Faith (Harry) Blaschke Kirch, Amy Blaschke, Dr. Grant (Kalina) Macaulay, Erik Macaulay, Susan (Bob) Macaulay Kouwe, Mark (Mary) Macaulay, Brent (Vicki) Stevens, Bradley (Kim) Stevens, Nicole Stevens, Robbie (Elizabeth) Stevens, Scott Stevens, Sarah (Jamie) Stevens Rabbitt; and 18 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rudolph S. Stevens; parents Leonard and Petra Neesvig; sister, Bernice Bjornstad; brother, Robert Neesvig; daughter, Delores (Stevens) Jensen; and son Rudy Stevens. The family would like to give special thanks to her granddaughter, Amy Blaschke and Marc Iverson for their dedicated and loving care of Solveig and for the compassionate care by the staff on 5 S. West at St. Marys Hospital. Funeral services will be held at HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2670 Milwaukee St., Madison at 12 noon on Monday, January 13, 2003, with the Reverend Mark Bartels officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Park. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until time of service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Dane County Humane Society, 5132 Voges Rd., Madison or Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 2670 Milwaukee St., Madison. Gunderson West Funeral Home 7435 University Ave. Middleton, Wis. (608)831-6761

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 12, 2003

Tuesday, January 07, 2003

Obituary: Robert Eugene Gallagher - Class of 1964

SAUK PRAIRIE – Robert Eugene Gallagher age 56, died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003 at the Veterans Hospital in Madison. He was born in Reedsburg, Wis., on April 15, 1946, the son of Eugene and Loretta (Cassidy) Gallagher. Bob attended St. Aloysius School in Sauk City and graduated from Madison Central High School in 1964. Following a four-year enlistment in the Air Force, Bob returned to Madison, where he worked with his brother, John at IBM. He spent the next 27 years in Florida. After being diagnosed with cancer in 2002, he returned to Wisconsin. Bob was a member of the American Legion. He was an avid football fan and since his return to Wisconsin he never missed the Packers or Badgers on TV. Survivors include a sister, Eileen (Harlan) Klepper, Merrimac; a niece and a grand-niece, Terri Klepper Harris and Danielle Harris; and nephews, Kevin Klepper and John Klepper. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, John. Funeral services will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, at GNEWIKOW-HOOVERSON FUNERAL HOME, Sauk City, Wis. Burial will be in the Resurrection Cemetery, Madison. Friends may call on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the funeral home. The family would like to thank the staff at the VA Hospital. The nurses in the ICU showed Bob kindness and eased the pain in his final days. An Irish Blessing May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, May the rains fall soft upon your fields, And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hands.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 27, 2003