Sunday, May 31, 2009

Obituary: Arthur W. Hilgers

BRADENTON, FLA./ MADISON - Arthur W. Hilgers, age 91, of Bradenton, Fla., formerly of Madison, passed away on Monday, May 25, 2009, in Bradenton. He was born on May 25, 1918, in Madison, the son of the late Mathias and Frances (Bauhs) Hilgers. Art graduated from Madison Central High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1941 until 1945. Art married Ruth Hillestad on Jan. 21, 1947, in Dane. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 24 years, retiring in 1980. Art and Ruth retired to Florida. Art was a member of the Zor Shrine, Madison Elks, Doric Lodge No. 356, and Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bradenton, Fla. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ruth of Bradenton, Fla.; daughter, Barbara (Michael) Nelson of Deerfield; three step grandchildren; three step great-grandchildren; a sister, Shirley (Peter) Christie of Martinez, Calif.; and nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be held at MESSIAH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5202 Cottage Grove Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2009, with the Rev. Jeff VandenHeuvel and the Rev. Vernon Awes presiding. Visitation will be at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Entombment will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Zor Shriners, attention: memorials, 575 Zor Shrine Place, Madison, WI 53719 or a charity of the donor's choice. Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on May 31, 2009

Obituary: Lewis R. Arms

BROOKLYN- Lewis R. Arms, age 82, of Brooklyn, passed away on Thursday, May 28, 2009, surrounded by his family. He was born on March 4, 1927, in Madison, the son of Charles Stepp and Mamie Arms. Lewis was the grandson of Samuel and Mary Ellen Arms (first black settlers in Hillsboro, Wis./Cheyenne Valley). Lewis grew up in the Greenbush neighborhood and attended Madison Central High School. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, from 1945 until 1946. After World War II, Lewis returned to Madison until 1952, when he re-enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving during the Korean War, as a radio telegraph operator. In February 1960, he joined the U.S. Army Reserves and served until 1987, retiring as a Command Sergeant Major. Lewis worked for the Dane County Highway Department for 24 years, retiring in 1990. Lewis was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Sun Prairie. He was a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7591, American Legion Post in McFarland, and Marine Corps League. Lewis served on the board of directors for Dane County Veterans Administration and was post commander of V.F.W. Post No. 7591 for several years. He also was a proud lifetime member of the HOG Chapter. Lewis enjoyed fishing, motorcycling, playing cards, camping, and being with his family. He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Muriel of Brooklyn; six children, Lewis Arms Jr., Rita (David) Witter, Mamie Arms, Paul Arms (Dawn Brandenberg), Nancy (Sean) Arms-Simon, and John Arms; eight grandchildren, Jenny (Bill) Blair, Jake Witter, Ashley Witter, Dianne Gutierrez, Christopher Gutierrez, Lucas Brennum, Colton Arms, and Jack Simon; three great-grandchildren, Destinee Gutierrez, Dominik Blair, and Rylee Blair; and a sister, Nedra "Pearl" Raines. Lewis was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; brother, John Hall; and twin sister, Mary Ellen Arms. Funeral services will be held at OUR SAVIOR'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 550 Lincoln Drive, Sun Prairie, at 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, 2009, with the Rev. David J. Berggren presiding. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery, at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 5, 2009, with military rites. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., with a pass in review conducted by V.F.W. Post No. 7591, at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2009, and at the church, from 2 p.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorials be made to Wounded Warriors Project or a charity of the donor's choice.Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on May 31, 2009

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Obituary: Winifred "Wyn" (Bourke) Everman - Class of 1925

BEAVER DAM - Winifred "Wyn" Everman, age 101, died Saturday, May 23, 2009, at Hillside Manor in Beaver Dam. The former Winifred Margaret Bourke was born on Nov. 29, 1907, in Madison to the late John L. and Gertrude M. (Carey) Bourke. The Bourke family members were pioneers in Madison and were active in city politics in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In 1925, she graduated from Madison Central High School where she had been president of the Girls Athletic Association. Wyn loved sports and was an avid Badgers and Packers fan. In fact, she was at Lambeau field to see Vince Lombardi's first win. While she lived in Madison, she was proud to work for the Neckerman Insurance Agency and she had been a member of St. Raphael's Court No. 118 of the Women's Catholic Order of the Foresters. In 1954, she moved to Beaver Dam where she was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and had been active in the Christian Women. Wyn was also proud to have served as the first lady of the Wisconsin Elks Association. Survivors include her son, Don (Patricia) Everman of Beaver Dam; her daughter-in-law, Angeline Everman of Plover; three grandchildren, Jack (Alexandra) Everman, Rob (Kareen) Everman, and Christine (Bruce) Hollar; seven great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends. Wyn was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, John Everman; two sisters, Alice Lorenz and Betty Doyle; and a brother, Tom Bourke. Visitation for Wyn will be at ST. KATHARINE DREXEL CHURCH, 127 W. Maple Ave. in Beaver Dam on Friday, May 29, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at church on Friday, beginning at 11 a.m. Father Charles Scheuerell will officiate. Burial will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery in Beaver Dam. The family suggests that memorials be made in Winifred M. Everman's name to the St. Katharine Drexel Conference of the St. Vincent DePaul Society, 131 W. Maple Ave., Beaver Dam, WI 53916. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the following people: the staff on the second floor of Hillside Manor's Hillcrest Home Wing where Wyn was a resident for over two years, the nurses at Hillside Hospice, Dr. Jeremy Jaskunas, and to Sr. Priscilla Weber, FSM, the parish nurse at St. James Catholic Parish in Madison who often visited Wyn at her home. Murray Funeral Home Beaver Dam (920) 885-6600

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on May 26, 2009

Friday, May 15, 2009

Obituary: Judith A. (Stone) Selsor - Class of 1958

MADISON - Judith A. (Stone) Selsor, age 69, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 13, 2009, at her home, after a battle with cancer. Several family members were at her bedside. Judy was born in Wisconsin Rapids, on April 11, 1940, the daughter of Ferne (Gibbs) and Richard Stone. She graduated from Madison Central High School in 1958. Judy married Robert Payne on Aug. 2, 1958, at Trinity Lutheran Church. They had a son, Andrew. He preceded her in death in 1967. Judy later married William Selsor on Dec. 26, 1962, in Tulsa, Okla. They had three children, Jerrel, Brian and Stacey, while living in Oklahoma. Judy and her children later moved to Madison. She worked for 33 years at various federal agencies. The last 25 years, Judy worked at William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, as a personnel assistant in the human relations department. She thoroughly enjoyed providing training and counseling to V.A. employees. Judy retired early from the V.A. Hospital in 1994, to provide daytime care for her first grandson, Scott, who was born the first day she didn't have to report to work. She also cared for her second grandson, Sam, who was born in 2003. Judy enjoyed caring for both of them. She was a member of Crosspoint of the Nazarene Church. Judy is survived by two sons, Jerrel Selsor and Brian Selsor (Ellen Carr and her son, Dylan); a daughter, Stacey (Steve) Schultz; grandsons, Scott Horstmeyer and Sam Schultz; her mother, Ferne DeWeese; and a sister, Nancy Stone. She was preceded in death by her father, Richard Stone; and son, Andrew. Funeral services will be held at CROSSPOINT OF THE NAZARENE CHURCH, 5011 Commercial Ave., Madison, at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2009, with the Rev. Sam Starnes presiding. Visitation will be at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crosspoint of the Nazarene Church. A special thank you to Hospice. Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on May 15, 2009

Monday, May 11, 2009

Obituary: William "Bill" K, Hilgers - Class of 1961

MADISON - William "Bill" K. Hilgers, age 65, died peacefully on Saturday, May 9, 2009, at the HospiceCare in-patient facility. Bill was born and raised in Madison, loving the beauty and the bounty of the lakes which he knew so well. He also enjoyed golf and scuba diving and any excuse to be in the great outdoors. His charming, congenial and gregarious personality will be missed by all who knew him. Bill is survived by his sons, Jeffrey and Johathan (Marlo); grandchildren, Kristie, Spencer and Westley; his brothers, James (LaVonne), Richard (Susan) and David (Shirley); many nieces and nephews; and his former wife and forever special friend, Joyce. He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Thelma (Norby) Hilgers; as well as his brother, Jerome and wife, Dorothy. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, 2009, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. A gathering of friends and family will be held following the service, from 4:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the HospiceCare Foundation, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711.Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on May 11, 2009

Note: William Hilger's class year is based on information in the 1961 Tychoberahn, where he is pictured among the graduating seniors.

Monday, May 04, 2009

Obituary: Patsy "Pat" Lee (Hammersley) Matteson - Class of 1964

MADISON- Patsy "Pat" Lee Matteson, age 62, passed away at the HospiceCare Center on Sunday, May 3, 2009, following a long battle with cancer. She was born on Aug. 17, 1946 in Madison, the daughter of the late Lee N. Hammersley and Gladys E. (Carlson) Hammersley. Patsy graduated from Madison Central High School in 1964. She married Leon P. Matteson on April 26, 1975. Patsy retired from Wisconsin Power and Light/Alliant Energy in March of 2006, after 36 years. Upon retirement, Patsy cared for children as a nanny, as children were her love. She enjoyed crocheting, reading, doing puzzles, and babysitting. Patsy is survived by her sisters, Kay (Dean) Hohlstein and Judy Barreau (Don Bukstein), both of Madison; brother, Phil (Mary) Cundy of Oshkosh; step-children, Mark (Joni), Charles (Nora) and David (Yoshie) Matteson; step-grandson, Tyler (Arkeyshia) Matteson and their two sons, Miguel and Marco; nieces and nephews, Gail Hohlstein, Jim (Kristi) Hohlstein, Ben Hohlstein, Deanna (Chris) Campbell and Sheri (Corey) Williams; a special great-nephew, Jakob Williams; several great-nieces and great-nephews; an aunt, Mary (Don) Anderson; many friends, cousins and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leon Matteson; parents, Lee and Gladys Hammersley; grandparents, Charley and Lillian Carlson; her puppies, Tippy and Lilly; aunts, Kora Frogner, Leonore Buri; and uncle, Charles Carlson. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, May 5, 2009. A gathering of friends and family will be held on Monday, May 4, 2009, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the funeral home and also on Tuesday, May 5, 2009, from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Patsy's family wish to thank the staff at HospiceCare and Oak Park Nursing Home for their compassionate care, and all the other many people who came to visit Patsy while she was ill. Many tears are shed, because we have loved one who was special. Now, memories must sustain us. Let them guide you and keep you today and always. For as we remember, we see love's reflection in our tears.Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on May 4, 2008