Saturday, April 26, 2014

Obituary: Dorothy M (Pertzborn) Jafferis - Class of 1943

MIDDLETON - Dorothy M. (Pertzborn) Jafferis died on April 23, 2014, at Agrace HospiceCare, following a long illness. She was born at home on July 17, 1925, to Adolph M. and Hedwig (Koch) Pertzborn. Dorothy attended St. James Grade School and Madison Central High School, graduating in 1943. It was while at Madison Central High School that she met her husband and life partner, Tom. They were married on May 17, 1947, at St. James Church. Upon high school graduation, Dorothy was employed for five years at the old Industrial Commission (Unemployment and Workman's Compensation Department). After the birth of her first child, she was a stay-at-home mother until her last child started school. During that time she worked at home, typing many theses for UW students. Dorothy re-entered the workforce, working for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union for 20 years. After retirement from the union, she worked in the office of then Gov. Anthony Earl. Her last employment was at American Girl. A life-long democrat and staunch union advocate, she volunteered for many democratic political candidates at all levels of government. Dorothy also served the City of Madison on the Human Services Board for nine years, Madison Youth Commission for two years, Personnel Board for four years and Hope Haven for two years. Being very active in the labor movement, she served both as vice president and president of the Office Employees Union. She was a board member and secretary of the Labor Temple Association, a delegate to Madison Federation of Labor (South Central Federation) and the Committee on Political Education Steering Committee. Dorothy was an avid UW Badgers fan. She and her family traveled to many Badgers away and Bowl games. Dorothy and Tom were Badgers ticket holders for 50 years. Baking, bingo, crossword puzzles and visiting with her grandchildren were her favorite past times. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Margaret and Esther; grandson, Patrick Costello; two brothers-in-law, John Caruso and Jim Waters; a niece, Susan Wilcox; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Dorothy's generous spirit, devotion to her family, and her work ethic were inspirational to all those whose lives she touched. In addition to her husband, Tom, she is survived by her five children, Christine/Tina (David) Lund, Kathy (Kevin) Costello, JoAnne (Bob) Bradley, John (Kim) Jafferis, and Bob (Marsha) Jafferis; sisters, Rachel Caruso, Alice (Jim) Wilcox, Cathy Waters, and Barbara (Bill) Bougher; grandchildren, Mandy (Erik) Monson, David J. Lund, Chris Larson, Jenni (Chad) Anderson, Justin (fiancé, Lindsey) Jafferis, Jeremy Jafferis, Max Costello, and Antonia "Annie" Costello; great-grandchildren, Michael and Ella Monson, Alexis Jafferis, and Sylvia Anderson; step-grandchildren, Jennifer Tredinnick and Erik Bradley; step-great-grandchildren, Savana Halverson and Grace and Riley Bradley; in addition to many nieces, nephews, and cousins. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, 1126 S. 70th St., Suite S423, Milwaukee, WI, 53214 (www.ccfa.org), or the Society of St. Vincent De Paul. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, April 28, 2014, at 11 a.m., at GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC PARISH at ST. JAMES CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1128 St. James Court, Madison WI 53715, with Monsignor Thomas Baxter presiding. Friends may greet the family from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m., prior to the service.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 26, 2014. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

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