Obituary" Dorothy (Engel) Slotten - Class of 1943

MADISON - Dorothy M. Slotten, age 79, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2005, at St. Marys Care Center, Madison. Dorothy was born on Dec. 2, 1925, in Madison, the daughter of Frank and Gertrude (Hank) Engel. She was raised by her grandmother, Sophie Hank. Dorothy graduated from Central High School in 1943. On June 7, 1947, Dorothy and Sylvester "Stub" Slotten were married. Dorothy worked for the state of Wisconsin for more than 38 years. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church. Dorothy is survived by her husband, Sylvester "Stub;" two brothers-in-law, Eugene (Marie) Slotten and Grant Slotten; two sisters-in-law, Dolores (Lowell) Hanson and Kay Elding; several nieces and nephews; and by a special friend, Margaret Courtney. She was preceded in death by her parents; her grandparents; her brothers, Robert and James Elding; and a brother-in-law, Orvin (Shirley) Slotten. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Feb. 25, 2005, at ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 322 E. Washington Ave., with Pastor Allen Wahl officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church on Friday. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Paul H. Hinderaker and Dr. Frank Kilpatrick. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wisconsin Heart Association, 202 S. Park St., Basement Level, Madison, WI; and HospiceCare Inc. 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711-5395. Cress Funeral & Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on February 24, 2005

Obituary: Clyde E. Bay, Jr.

VERONA - Clyde E. Bay Jr., age 62, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2005. He was born in Madison on Dec. 7, 1942, the son of Clyde and Siverdean Bay. Clyde attended Madison Central High School and lived at Orchard Hill. He moved into an apartment until he became ill and then moved to Badger Prairie Health Care Center. Clyde, known to his friends as C.E. was an avid Badgers fan. He had season tickets to Badger football games for many years. C.E. loved to get his hair cut to look like Elroy Hirsch. He was also a lifelong Cubs fan. C.E. was devoted to watching Soul Train on Saturdays and to dancing the Watusi. He is survived by two brothers, John Bay of Auburn, N.Y., and Ted Bay of Jamesville, N.Y. According to the family's wishes there will be no services. Memorials may be made to Rise Up Inc., 122 E. Olin Avenue, Madison, WI 53713. The family would like to express a sincere appreciation to the staff of Rise Up Inc. and to Badger Prairie for their professional and loving care of C.E. Cress Funeral & Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on February 16, 2005

Obituary: Katherine Clara "Kate" (Wergin) Hardy

MADISON - Katherine Clara "Kate" Hardy was born in Madison, on July 9, 1907, to John and Clara Wergin. She grew up in Madison, where she attended Holy Redeemer Elementary School and Central High School. In 1926, she married Kenneth Hardy. Kate entered the workforce as an employee of the USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. She spent the majority of her career at FPL, retiring from the computing section after 30 years of service. But Kate had too much energy and drive to stay retired for long. She accepted a part-time position with Strang Architects and, predictably, was soon working full-time. Eleven years later she retired again. During her many years of employment, Kate and her husband also owned and operated a mink farm and glass business in Middleton and the Lakeview Drive-in on Madisons Northeast side. In addition, she sold real estate and helped develop the Larwood Hills subdivision on the site of her grandparents' farm in Westport. In her 80s and 90s, she helped distribute books on card-playing written by her brother. Kate lived on her own well into her 98th year. Despite failing eyesight and other age-related problems, she had a wonderfully positive attitude. She was a kind, humble person who could always be counted on to lend a hand or write a check for someone in need. She maintained an active social life with frequent telephone calls and meals out with family and friends, Saturday trips to Edwards of Hilldale Hair Salon, and occasional excursions to Ho-Chunk Casino. She was proud of having voted in every presidential election for which she was eligible, including November 2004 when she went to the polls with her wheelchair and oxygen tank. Kate was blessed with a remarkable memory. One of her last projects was to record recollections of life in Madison from 1907 to 1920. Kate is survived by her brother, Joseph Wergin, Madison; sister, Julia Harris, Spring Valley, Calif.; daughter, Marjorie Schneider, Phoenix, Ariz.; granddaughter, Pamela (Gary) Mork, McFarland; granddaughter, Patricia Dawson Phoenix; grandson, David Schneider, Phoenix; and several great and great-great-grand-children. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; grandson, Thomas Harrison; sisters, Agnes Goede and Martha Koch; and brother, Gary Wergin. Kate was lovingly supportive of her family until her death at Hebron Oaks Nursing Home (Oakwood) on Jan. 16, 2005. She was cherished by her nephews and nieces and many dear friends.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on February 13, 2005

Obituary: Lisetta Dorothea (Graves) Lautz - Class of 1930

MADISON - Lisetta Dorothea Graves Lautz, age 92, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2005. Lisetta was born in Prairie du Chien, on May 16, 1912, the daughter of Attorney and Mrs. William R. Graves (Martha Horsfall). She attended elementary schools in Prairie du Chien and high schools in Prairie du Chien, Miami, Fla. and Madison. She was a 1930 graduate of Madison Central High School. She graduated from UW-Madison in 1935 with a B.A. degree in botany. While at UW, she was the social editor for the Daily Cardinal, having a column called "The Rambler." She taught grade school in Wauzeka for two years, and then married Harold L. Lautz of La Crosse, on Aug. 14, 1937, in Prairie du Chien. She was a long time member of Luther Memorial Church and a past president of its Dorcus Society. She was also a member of the Altar Guild and the Lutheran Women's Organization. She was a life member of Monona Chapter No. 5, Order of the Eastern Star, with dual membership in the Prairie du Chien chapter, a member of Antioch Temple No. 113, Daughters of the Nile and of Zor Auxiliary. She was an active member of the AX chapter of PEO, the DAR and past president of the Patroness Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity. She was also a member of the American Association of University Women and a life member of the Wisconsin Alumni Association. She was also president of the Randall School PTA where her children attended. While at UW, she was president of Phi Omega Pi sorority, which later merged with Delta Zeta. As an alumna, she was active in both alumnae groups. She and her brothers owned the Horsfall Lumberyard in Prairie du Chien, Bridgeport and Wauzeka. She enjoyed playing bridge, dancing, attending musicals, following the activities of her children and grandchildren and traveling many parts of the world on ocean cruises. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Harold; sons, William of Madison, and Donald (Maureen) of Racine; daughters, Suzanne (James) Machan of Waukesha, and Beverly (Robert) Haimerl of Madison; granddaughter, Jennifer Lautz (Brad Hightdudis) of California; grandsons, Greg (Ann) Lautz of Racine, Roger (Dawn) Lautz of Madison, Steve Lautz of Milwaukee, Kevin (Stacy) Machan of Menomonee Falls, Brian (Jaye) Machan of New Jersey, and Derek (April) Machan of Waterford; great- grandson Nicholas Hightdudis; and great-granddaughter, Katherine Lisetta Hightdudis. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Florence; and brothers, Roswell and David. Funeral services will be at LUTHER MEMORIAL CHURCH, Madison, on Friday, Feb. 11, 2005, at 2 p.m. with Pastors Shelley Bobb and Timothy Dean officiating. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery following the service. There will also be a reception at the church following the service. Visitation will be on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2005, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. Friends may also call at the church from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at the church. Memorials may be made to the Shriner's Hospital or to Luther Memorial Church. Cress Funeral & Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on February 10, 2005

Obituary: Russell Riley

MADISON - Russell C. Riley, age 87, passed away on Monday, Feb. 7, 2005, at the Meriter Health Care Center. He was born in Madison, the son of Carl and Vera (Salter) Riley, on Jan. 19, 1918. Russ graduated from Central High School. He then served with the Merchant Marines during World War II. Russ was united in marriage to Dorothy Walczak on June 20, 1953. He began his apprenticeship with Gisholt, from there he primarily worked for the University of Wisconsin Chemistry Department as an instrument machinist, retiring in 1987. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Dorothy; sons, Alan and James Riley, both of Madison; and a sister, June Harrison. He is further survived by many friends and family. Funeral services will be held at HIGHLAND MEMORY GARDENS CHAPEL, 3054 County Highway BB, Madison, on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2005, at 11 a.m., with Monsignor Michael Hippee presiding. Visitation will be on Thursday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services at the chapel. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Center 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on February 9, 2005

Obituary: Vincent James Valenza

MADISON/ BEAVER DAM - Vincent James Valenza, age 74, of Beaver Dam, died on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2005, after a long battle with cancer. Vince was born in 1930, to Beneditto and Rosalia Valenza, in Madison. He grew up in Madison's Greenbush neighborhood and was very proud of his Italian heritage. Vince attended St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School and graduated from Central High School. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he was a front-line tank mechanic. After returning to Madison, Vince married Jeannine West. They had four sons, Steve, Ron, David and Michael. Later they divorced, and he married Sally Wilcox. Vince was a printer by trade. He retired from the state of Wisconsin in 1995, and moved to a home on Beaver Dam Lake, where he lived until recently. Vince was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, and golfing. He was also a boisterous fan of both the Badgers and Packers. As a hobby, Vince played the guitar and he instilled a love of that instrument in his children. He was a member of V.F.W. Post No. 1163. Vince also enjoyed cooking and he was very good at it. His trademark dish was authentic Italian spaghetti sauce with meatballs made using his mother's recipe. Vince also loved to prepare the wild game he hunted, and he grilled wonderful steaks, chicken, and ribs. In addition to his children, and granddaughters, Chandra, Samantha, Briana and Allyssa, Vince is survived by his brothers, Sam, Tony and Ted; a sister, Vita; as well as numerous nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sally; his parents; brothers, Joe and John; and a sister, Mary. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. JAMES CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1128 St. James Court, Madison, at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2005, with Monsignor Thomas Baxter presiding. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. During the last year and a half of his life, Vince had a special friend, caregiver and companion in Phyllis Masino of Verona. Phyllis helped to give Vince an incentive to fight for life, and made his final days as comfortable as possible. The family also wishes to thank the staff at Four Winds Nursing Home in Verona for their dedication, and attention to Vince's needs during his final months. Vince's wonderful smile and quick wit will be missed by all he leaves behind. Anytime we gather around the table, we will miss his call to "mangia, mangia." Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Center 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on February 3, 2005