Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Obituary: Julie Ann (Harrington) Washa

MONONA/NORTH FREEDOM - Julie Ann Washa passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011.

She was born on June 14, 1952, the daughter of John and Harriet Montague Harrington. Julie attended Central High School. After Central closed, she graduated from West High School in 1970. She loved cardinals and collected anything with a cardinal on it. Julie enjoyed crossword puzzles, word search puzzles and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoyed the simple things in life.

Julie is survived by her sons, Frank Washa (Doreen Brokmeier), Jeremy (Toni) Washa; significant other, Gary Morgan; grandchildren, Courtney, Austin, Cade and Ryne; brothers and sisters, Gina Emmerson, Jim (LouAnn) Harrington, Barb (William) Miller, Susan (Sonny) Cliffcorn; sister-in-law, Maria Harrington; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Geraldine Eagan; and brothers, Ron Harrington and Jack Harrington.

A memorial service will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011. Visitation will be at the church from 1 p.m. until the time of service on Saturday.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 21, 2011 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968)

Julie Ann (Harrington) Washa is a Madison Central High School alumna because she attended CHS for several years prior to transferring to West because Central closed in 1969.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Obituary: Richard L. Huff - Class of 1944

MADISON - Richard L. Huff passed away on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011.

He was born on May 6, 1927 in Madison, to Forrest Gibbs Huff and Lucille Beimborn Huff. An only child, he graduated from Central High School in 1944, received his B.S. degree from the University of Wisconsin, graduating with honors in 1951. He was united in marriage to Harriet Willis on July 26, 1959, in Des Moines, Iowa. Dick taught school in Georgia until a friend suggested he learn television directing, which took him to WKOW-TV where he worked in the earliest days of television. In 1957, he was hired as a producer for television syndication business, which he purchased several years later.

Dick was active in various community organizations. In 1968, he served as one of the Wisconsin delegates to the Republican National Convention. He also served as volunteer chairman of the Dane County Children's Service Society and chairman of the UW Medical School Ophthalmology Advisory Board.

Dick was a gifted artist, and prolific writer. He loved music, books and acquired a great passion for painting. He published several poems, wrote several novels and wrote and co-produced a science fiction motion picture titled, "The Giant Spider Invasion". Along with his work in syndicated television, Dick wrote a book for the National Association of Realtors, published a marketing magazine and taught screen writing at the UW Extension. Dick was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Harriet; three children, Mary Lee "Molly" (James) Miller of Brookfield, William Gibbs (Sue) Huff of Minneapolis and Peter Bashford Huff of Sun Prairie; and seven grandchildren, Daniel James Miller, Sarah Emily Miller, John Willis Miller of Brookfield, Joseph Hunter Huff, Samuel Gibbs Huff of Minneapolis and Elizabeth Frances Huff and Anna Grace Huff of Sun Prairie.

As a child and teenager, Dick loved fishing with his father and uncles and later with his sons, in Boscobel and Prairie du Chien and the rivers there inspired a life-long love for the Wisconsin landscape. A private burial will be at the Huff family lot in Boscobel, where five generations of his family are buried.

A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monana Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011, with the Rev. John Swanson presiding. A luncheon will immediately follow the service. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethel Lutheran Church Media Ministry, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, WI 53703 or HospiceCare Inc., 5395 East Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 18, 2011 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968).

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

Obituary: Adella T. Kohl - Class of 1948

MADISON - Adella T. Kohl, age 81, of Madison, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, at UW Hospital.

She was born on May 10, 1930, the daughter of Karl and Theresa (Reinhardt) Popp. Adella graduated from Madison Central High School in 1948. She married Jerome Kohl on Oct. 21, 1950. Adella loved to sew, and was a fantastic cook. She will always be remembered for her pies and dynamite pie crust. While raising her family, she was active with Brownies and Cub Scouts and was a room mother at their schools. Adella enjoyed taking day trips with Jerry and sharing the simple joys of seeing new sights. But her true joy in life was being surrounded by her family. Adella gave all her attention and love to her loved ones.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years and best friend, Jerry; daughter, Kathy Edwards of Monona; sons, Mike Kohl of Baraboo, and Dave (Christine) Kohl of Wautoma; two grandchildren, Stacy (Michael) Rich and Kristine (Chris) Wright; and five great-grandchildren. Adella was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters; and two brothers.

Private services were held. The family would like to express their gratitude to everyone at Rest Haven for all their loving care.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 7, 2011 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968)