Obituary: Frank S. Custer - Class of 1931

MADISON - Frank Stanley Custer, age 88, ended his brave battle with cancer on Saturday, October 28, 2000. He passed away peacefully, attended by his children, at the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center. Frank was born on July 16, 1912, in Madison. He was the first of five children, and shared his birthday with his identical twin brother, Rudy, of Atlanta, Georgia. Frank is survived by his wife, Selma of Stoughton; his children, Deborah (Tom Sykes) Custer of Columbia, Maryland; Wendy (Mike) Kornell of Stoughton, William of Madison, and Jill (Tom) Hietpas of Madison; and six grandchildren. Frank is also survived by his brother, Rudy; and sisters, Joy Dakin of Dallas, Oregon, and Maya Olsen of Banks, Oregon. Frank was a graduate of Madison's Central High School and UW-Madison. During his high school and college years he was a cheerleader for their football and basketball teams. As one of the famous "Custer twins," he led energetic cheers and acrobatic routines, revving up the crowds on a regular basis. He turned cartwheels on the football field during UW Homecoming games throughout his adult life, until the mid 1990s. After college, Frank served as personal secretary to the founder of The Capital Times, William T. Evjue, before enlisting in the United States Army on June 18, 1942. He was very proud of his service overseas in various World War II battles, including Normandy and Ardennes. Following the war, Frank returned to the states. After a brief respite in southern California, he returned to Madison and The Capital Times, beginning an eventful career as a newspaper reporter. Frank married Selma Iylland on June 25, 1949. A veteran reporter of The Capital Times, Frank was the author of the popular "Looking Backward" column, in addition to covering the police run and writing a variety of feature articles. Frank thrived at the newspaper, loving every minute. Frank had a deep love for Madison and a passion for its colorful history. As a walking encyclopedia of Madison history, Frank became a respected Madison historian. This led him to develop popular lectures and slide shows which he presented to organizations and schools around the area. He also acted as a guide on bus and talking tours, taught Madison mini-courses at the UW-Madison, and wrote Madison history articles for Madison Magazine and In Business. In addition to his professional activities, his tireless energy was funneled into community involvement such as PTA president, Sunday school teacher, and credit union director. He was a dedicated, enthusiastic Chicago Bears fan. Frank loved music, art and nature. He was a voracious reader and treasured his books. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn Custer and Maya Custer; and his brother, Dr. Glen Stanley Custer. Family and friends are invited to call on Wednesday, November 1, 2000 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. The funeral will be on Thursday, Novermber 2, 2000 at 11:00 a.m. at ADVENT LUTHERAN CHURCH, 7118 Old Sauk Road, Madison. Friends may call on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Frank's memory to the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. William Rock, nurses and assistants, and all those who have made such wonderful, compassionate care available through the HospiceCare Center. They allowed our father a loving and peaceful passing on to God's arms. Frank was a beloved husband and heroic father who lived to its fullest and had a smile for everyone. He cherished his family and never let them forget it. His love, quick wit and high energy will continue to be an inspiration to his family.

Originally published in The Capital Times on October 31, 2000

Note: Frank Custer's graduation year is based on information in a June 5, 1931 article in the Wisconsin State Journal listing the Central High School graduates.

Obituary: Barbara Ellen (Fuss) Casey - Class of 1962

MADISON [Wisconsin] Barbara Ellen Casey, age 56, of Madison, died Sunday, October 29, 2000 at the HospiceCare Center in Fitchburg following an extended illness. She was born June 4, 1944 in Madison, the daughter of Alfred and Jeanette (Wirth) Fuss. She graduated from Madison Central High School in 1962. She worked for over 10 years for Equifax as a customer service representative. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and family. She enjoyed reading, traveling, and shopping, and was an avid QVC cardholder. She was preceded in death by her longtime companion, Don Hensen; two brothers, Jack and Russ Fuss; and Don's daughter, Kristi Hensen. She is survived by a son, John Casey of Madison; Don's children, Tom and Jill Hensen; two grandchildren, Noah Casey and Kailyn Hensen; a sister, Caroline (Al) Siclovan of Evansville; a brother Ed (Andrea) Fuss of Madison; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at the JOYCE-RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 5701 Odana Road, on Tuesday October 31, 2000 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery, Madison. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for an education fund to be established for her grandson Noah, or to HospiceCare, Inc. Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home 5701 Odana Road 608-274-1000

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on October 30, 2000; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Obituary: Margaret Rosebud (Rogers) Johnson - Class of 1967

MADISON - Margaret Rosebud Johnson (Rogers) [age 50] departed from the earth on Saturday, October 21, 2000, following a brief illness. Born in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, on January 23, 1949, she was the daughter of the late Anna and LeRoy Rogers. She was raised on the South Side of Madison and enjoyed a very active life, being involved with summer theater through the park system and numerous extracurricular activities at the South Madison Neighborhood Center and the Blessed Martin House. She attended Franklin Elementary School. A 1967 graduate of Central University High School, she was a member of the marching band and orchestra. Along with three other friends, she was a member of a singing group called the Hot Cha's (Central’s Little Supremes). In 1972, she graduated as a registered nurse from the Methodist Hospital Nursing School. She worked many years as a psychiatric nurse for Methodist Hospital and the Mental Health Center of Dane County. Later she became the Customer Service supervisor for the Wisconsin Education Association Insurance Trust. She surprised many by retiring a few years ago. But she couldn’t stay retired, and started her own business, MJ Legal Nurse Consulting. Margaret, also fondly known as “Sister,” is remembered as a loving, giving, caring person who was good at keeping secrets. One friend commented, “She was always there when you needed her.” She was a doting mother and grandmother. In recent years, she had also become a collector of assorted dolls. Although raised in the St. Paul A.M.E. Church, she later affiliated with Mount Zion Baptist Church. She is survived by four sons, Andre Johnson Sr. (Kristin), William Miller, Jamah Johnson (Jessica) and LiArri Johnson; three grandchildren, Andre Jr., Lenai and Jamah LeAndre; a sister, Margaret Mae Brown; three brothers, Bart Rogers, Leroy Rogers and George Rogers; beloved nieces and nephews, cousins, and numerous close friends. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Margaret R. Johnson Scholarship Fund. A memorial service will be at noon on Saturday, October 28, 2000, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3810 Speedway Rood, Madison. Friends may greet the family from 11:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. The "SISTER” with a sweet spirit.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on October 24, 2000. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968).

Obituary: Hawley LaVerne Butler - Class of 1948

MADISON [Wisconsin] - Hawley LaVerne Butler, age 70, died on Sunday, October 22, 2000. He was born on January 7, 1930, in Marshfield, Wisconsin, to LaVerne and Margaret (Kreisch) Butler. Hawley graduated from Madison Central High School in 1948. He enlisted in the Navy during the Korean conflict. Hawley married Josephine Stankiewicz on January 23, 1954, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He worked for Dairy Equipment for 31 years and Alkar for 10 years. Hawley is survived by his wife, Josephine of Madison; his son, Mark Butler of Madison; two daughters, Susan (Eric) Tenjum of DeForest, and Holly (Henry) Busch of Madison; four grandchildren, Amanda and Kimberly Tenjum, and Kyle and Amy Busch; five brothers and sisters, and several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 25, 2000, with Father Jason Hesseling presiding. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Friends may call at the church from noon until the time of the service on Wednesday. Hawley was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and will be deeply missed.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on October 24, 2000; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)