Vietta K. (Mullen) Einerson - Class of 1948

STEVENS POINT - Vietta K. Einerson, age 76, of Stevens Point, died on Feb. 9, 2006, at St Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield. Vietta suffered complications following cancer surgery. Vietta was born Jan. 29, 1930, in Madison, the daughter of George "Max" and Clara (Bossart) Mullen. She graduated from Madison Central High School in 1948. She then worked at Borden's Dairy and various laundry and dry cleaning businesses in Madison. She married Malcolm H. Einerson on March 22, 1958, in Dubuque, Iowa. After marriage the couple settled in Madison, where she became an excellent homemaker and mother. They moved to Stevens Point in 1964, and have lived at their present address since 1966. Vietta was very active as a fundraiser for Stevens Point Area Senior High School in the SPASH Booster Club in the 70's and 80's. She and Malcolm were great horse racing fans and enjoyed going to different horse racing venues throughout the country. She is survived by her husband, Malcolm; their two children, Dale (Michele) Einerson, Lodi and Karen Einerson, Verona; six grandsons, Justin, Logan, Kasey, Keegan, Peyton, and Bryson; and a brother, Douglas (Shirley) Mullen, Madison. She was preceded in death by her parents. Visitation for Vietta Einerson will be held from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday Feb. 12, 2006, at the SHUDA FUNERAL CHAPEL. There will be no funeral service. Burial at a later date will be at the Veterans Cemetery in King. In lieu of flowers a memorial will be established in her name at a later date. Online condolances can be sent to: einersonservices@shudafuneral.com. Shuda Funeral Chapel 3200 Stanley St., Stevens Point

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on February 11, 2006

Obituary: Ruth "Anita (Conlin) Saeman - Class of 1938

CROSS PLAINS - Ruth "Anita" Saeman, age 85, passed away peacefully on Monday, Feb. 6, 2006, at the Ingleside Nursing Home in Mount Horeb. Anita was born in Madison, on Oct. 5, 1920, to John F. and Mary (Stoppleworth) Conlin. She graduated from Madison's St. Raphael's School in 1934 and from Central High School in 1938. Following graduation, Anita worked for the Milwaukee Road as a freight clerk and attended night classes at Madison Vocational School. On Sept. 13, 1947, Anita married Robert G. Saeman of Cross Plains. She moved from the city to the small town of Cross Plains, where Bob was a partner in Saeman Lumber. Anita continued working until the arrival of the first of their four children. Together, Bob and Anita raised, Robert F. of Cross Plains, Richard (Peggy) of Mazomanie, Rita (John) Librera of Brookfield and Raymond (Barbara) of Cross Plains. Anita was an active member of the following community organizations; St. Francis Xavier Christian Mothers, 4-H Club, Friends of the Cross Plains Public Library and the American Legion Post 245 Auxiliary. Anita's pastime was writing, including notes to people in hospitals and nursing homes. She also wrote letters to her children's friends who were in the armed services during the Vietnam War. For more than 30 years, on behalf of the Legion Auxiliary, she continued writing to the Cross Plains men and women who were serving our country. In addition to her children, Anita is survived by her grandchildren, Chad (Kim) Saeman of Cross Plains, Fred (Stacy) Saeman of Randolph, Jamie (Will) Sindberg of Cross Plains, J.P. Librera of Hartland; two great-granddaughters, Ciera and Kylie Saeman and another great-grandchild on the way; her brother, Fred (Rita) Conlin, of Durand; a sister-in-law, Dottie Conlin, of Renton, Wash.; as well as many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert G. Saeman, on Jan. 25, 2006; a grandson, Bradford Saeman, on Feb. 18, 2003; her beloved brothers, John, Vernon, Charles and Thomas P. Conlin; her beloved sister, Mary "Alice" Hochstetter; and her nephews Bill and J.C. Conlin. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2947 Thinnes Street, Cross Plains, on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2006, at 11 a.m.with Father Tom Kelley presiding. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Family and friends may call on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. The Saeman family would like to thank the caregivers at Ingle Living Communities in Mount Horeb, where Mom and Dad lived since Sept. 2001. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Cross Plains American Legion Post 245 Maintenance Endowment Fund or to HOPES (Helping Others Prevent and Educate About Suicide). Gunderson Cross Plains Funeral & Cremation Centers 2421 Church Street 608-798-3141

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on February 9, 2006

Another Progress Report

There are now more than 150 obituaries in this archive. Thus far, I have only posted obituaries that specifically state someone attended Central High School (or, in a few instances, Madison High School, the school's name prior the opening of a second high school in the city). If you have information about a Central alumnus who died between January 2003 and December 2005, but whose obituary is not included in this archive, please send me an email, so I may include them.

If you have obituaries for people who attended Madison Central High School (or Madison High School) and who died before 2003, please contact me by email, so I may make arrangements to post this information.

Although I haven't been able to solve the problem of how to create links to all the obituaries in this archive, it should be fully searchable by name, and, in some instances, by class. While many obituaries do indicate a graduation year, some do not. If you are able to provide that information for anyone in this archive, again, please contact me by email.

For additional information about how to search this blog, please read the previous post titled "Searching for Someone?"

Obituary: Ellen L. (Eggenberger) Beaulleau

BROOKLYN PARK, MINN. - Ellen L. Beaulleu (Eggenberger), age 81, our beautiful mother, started her new journey on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2006. She went peacefully, at home, surrounded by loved ones. We will miss her generous spirit. She was born in Madison and had many interests such as dance and playing the clarinet. She graduated from Madison Central High School and went to work at the Madison Telephone Co. She then began working at Robertson Transportation, where she met and married her husband, Clifford. They moved to Minnesota together, only to have it cut short by the death of our beloved father, Clifford, in 1967. She did a fabulous job of becoming a mother and father to her adoring children. We were blessed to have such a dedicated, loving mother. Her passions in life were her grandchildren, NASCAR racing, and Bruce Springsteen. She felt blessed to be able to work full time for Medical Arts Press until fall 2005. We feel such a loss in our lives, for our mother is part of our souls. We feel comforted knowing we will be eternally connected. We love you, Mom. She is survived by sons, Rick (Deborah) and Allen; daughter, Sherri (Gene); grandson, Alec; granddaughter, Shaina; and niece, Marsha (Jim) Arr. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006, at 7 p.m., with a visitation one hour prior at CREMATION SOCIETY OF MINNESOTA, Brooklyn Park Chapel, 7835 Brooklyn Blvd., Brooklyn Park, Minn. (763) 560-3100

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on February 7, 2006

Obituary: Wayne E. Leland - Class of 1955

MADISON - Wayne E. Leland passed away on Friday, Feb. 3, 2006, at the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center surrounded by his family. He was born in Madison on May 6, 1937, the son of Earl M. and Helen V. Leland. Wayne graduated from Madison Central High School in 1955. After two years in the Army he worked for the state highway department. Wayne was a member of the Middleton-Ionic Lodge No. 180. He enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and going to casinos. Wayne also cared deeply for all his great nieces and nephews. He is survived by his sister, Rose (Robert) Call; his nephew, Robert (Marybeth Heitland) Call Jr.; nieces, Bobbie Lou (Jim) Doyle and Kathleen (Mark) Robinson; and great nieces and nephews, Daniel, Samantha, Melissa, Amanda and Joanna Robinson, Trenton Miller, Bryce Doyle, Robert Call III, and Jake and Brooke Heitland. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2006, at TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1904 Winnebago St., with the Rev. John Ruppenthal officiating. Friends may greet the family from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday. Burial will follow in Sunset Memory Gardens. Come To Me God saw you were getting tired, And a cure was not to be. So He put His arms around you And whispered, "Come to Me." With tearful eyes We watched you, And saw you pass away. Although we loved you dearly, We could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating Hard working hands at rest; God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best. Cress Funeral & Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on February 5, 2006

Obituary: Shirley A. (Wells) Gleichauf - Class of 1955

MONONA - Shirley A. Gleichauf, age 68, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2006, at the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center, after a courageous three and a half years battle with cancer. She was born on May 27, 1937, in Highland, to Lyborn and Greta Wells. Shirley graduated from Madison Central High School in 1955. She married Francis Gleichauf on Oct. 17, 1958. Shirley worked for the University of Wisconsin Extension for 35 years. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and St. Ann's Society. Shirley was a very special lady with many talents, sewing, quilting, and crafts. She loved her garden and flowers. Shirley was always positive and concentrated on helping others. She never complained. Shirley enjoyed the senior fun and fitness classes at Monona and McFarland. The true joy of her life was her children and grandchildren. Shirley was blessed with many loving and supportive friends and neighbors, too numerous to mention by name. She is survived by her children, Denise (Tim) Jackson of Sun Prairie, David of Monona, Debra (Bruce) Way of Stoughton, and Dan of Janesville; grandchildren, Anna and Jason Gleichauf, Rachel Jackson, and Brody and Brooke Way; a sister, Jackie Cairns of Monona; brother, Alan (Loral) Wells of Madison; many loving nieces and nephews; and a very dear friend, "adopted sister," Bonnie Sundal. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Fran; her parents; infant brother; and a sister, Donna. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2006, with Father John Meinholz presiding. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 6, 2006, and at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday. The family wishes to thank the loving and caring staff at the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center. Shirley did it her way. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on February 5, 2006

Obituary: Jean Ann (Mohrhauser) VanderMeulen - Class of 1960

SUGAR GROVE, ILL. - Jean Ann (nee Mohrhauser) VanderMeulen, age 64, of Sugar Grove, Ill., (formerly of Madison), passed away on Jan 31, 2006, at her home. She is the beloved wife of Thomas; dear mother of Kathleen (Rich) Presbert, David Thomas (Cheryl) and Matthew A. (Kristin) VanderMeulen; devoted grandmother of Quincy and Shelby VanderMeulen and Erin, Chris, Katie, Lauren, and Claire Presberg; fond sister of Carol (Ed) Wisener and Joanne (Bill) Brown; dear sister-in-law of Judy (John) Crain and David Martin (Bonnie) VanderMeulen. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2006, at ST. ELIZABETH SETON CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1370 E. 87th St., in Naperville, Ill. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. with service to follow at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to PADS Homeless Shelter, 659 S. River St., Aurora, IL, Edward Cancer Center, 120 Spaulding Drive, Suite 111, Naperville, IL, or the Naperville Humane Society, 1620 W. Diehl Road, Naperville, IL. Arrangements by Cremation Society of Illinois. (800) 622-8358

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on February 3, 2006

Note: Jean Morhauser's class year is base on information in the 1960 Tychoberahn, which includes her senior photo.

Searching for Someone?

It's possible to search this blog by using the search engine located in the "dashboard" at the top of the page (above the blog title). Enter the name (or other words) you're searching for in the white box on the left. Then click on 'SEARCH THIS BLOG." You should receive a list of entries for the name or subject you entered.

If you're searching for a particular person, here's a hint: Try searching by just first or last name.

Send me an email if you have any questions about using this search engine, or if you encounter any problems using it.

Progress Report

I've now posted obituaries for 84 Madison Central High School alumni published in local newspapers in 2005 and the first half of 2004. I will finish posting the obituaries published in the second half of 2004 as soon as I can find the time.

Thus far, I have only posted obituaries that specifically state that someone attended Central High School (or, in a few instances, Madison High School, the school's name prior the opening of a second high school in the city). If you have information about a Central alumnus who died in 2004 (January - June) or 2005, but whose obituary is not included in this archive, please send me an email, so I may include them.

Obituary: David Wilke Ovitt - Class of 1929

A memorial service will be held Feb. 25 for David Wilkie Ovitt of Eugene, who died Jan. 21 of age-related causes. He was 93.

Ovitt was born Nov. 2, 1912, in Chicago, to Arthur Wilkie and Margaret Haight. He married Elizabeth "Bess" Wright on June 15, 1938, in Bowling Green, Ky. She died Oct. 8, 1998.

He graduated from Madison Central High School in 1929. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1923 and a master's degree from the same university in 1936.

Ovitt served in the Army from 1941 to 1945 as a member of the 4th Surgical Auxiliary in Europe.

He worked as a general surgeon and was chief of surgery and chief of staff at St. Mary's Hospital in Milwaukee, Wis. He was the founding member of Northpoint Medical Group.

He enjoyed playing bridge, golf and reading and was an avid University of Wisconsin basketball fan. He was a 50-year member of the American Medical Association, the Wisconsin Medical Society and the University of Wisconsin Alumni.

Survivors include a son, Theron "Terry" of Tucson, Ariz., two daughters, Margaret Ovitt of Macomb, Ill., and Elizabeth "Betsy" Ovitt of Eugene; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

The Feb. 25 service will be held at 11 a.m. at Christ Church in Milwaukee, Wis. Musgrove Family Mortuary in Eugene is in charge of arrangements.

Originally published in the Eugene, Oregon Register-Guard newspaper on January 25, 2006


Ovitt, David W., MD

A memorial service was held February 25 for David Wilkie Ovitt who died January 21, 2006 of age-related causes. He was 93. Ovitt was born November 2, 1912 in Chicago, to Arthur Wilkie and Margaret Haight. He was raised in Madison, graduating from Madison Central High School in 1929. He received a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1933 and a Doctorate of Medicine from there in 1936. He married Elizabeth "Bess" Wright on June 15, 1938 in Bowling Green Kentucky. She died October 8, 1998. He served in the Army from 1941-1945. From 1943-1945 he was a member of the 4th Surgical Auxillary which was attached to Patton's 3rd Army. This medical unit performed surgery at the front lines on those who were too critically wounded to transport to the hospital. After the war he returned to Milwaukee to practice General Surgery. He was a Clinical Instructor of Surgery at Marquette Medical School and a Consulting Surgeon at Milwaukee County Hospital from 1947-1955. He served 25 years on the Editorial Board of the Wisconsin State Medical Journal from 1950-1975. He was a general surgeon on the staff of St. Mary's Hospital from 1947-1984 where he was Chief of Surgery from 1960-1966 and Chief of Staff from 1966-1970. During his tenure as Chief of Staff, he led the initiative to begin Open Heart Surgery services at the hospital. In response to rising health care costs, he worked with American Motors and St. Mary's Hospital to organize a group of physicians to found Northpoint in 1972, one of the earliest HMO's in Wisconsin. He retired from active practice in 1982. He enjoyed playing bridge, reading and was an avid University of Wisconsin basketball fan. He was a 50 year member of the Wisconsin Medical Society and the University of Wisconsin Alumni. Survivors include a son, Theron "Terry" of Tucson, Arizona; two daughters, Margaret Ovitt of Macomb, Ill and Elizabeth "Betsy" Ovitt of Eugene, OR; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Memorial donations can be made to the charity of your choice or to Columbia-St. Mary's Foundation. Further information is available through Musgrove Family Mortuary, Eugene, Oregon, 541-686-2818.

Orignally published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on March 15, 2005