Obituary: Duane L. Schaefer

LAS VEGAS, NEV./ MADISON [Wisconsin] - Duane L. Schaefer, age 62, died on Friday, July 20, 2001, at a Las Vegas hospital. Duane was born in Madison on Aug. 7, 1938, the son of Edgar and Viola Schaefer. He graduated from Madison Central High School and was a Marine Corps veteran. He moved to Las Vegas where he resided and worked for the past 33 year. Survivors include his daughter, Debbie (Chuck) Casson of Kingman, Ariz.; grandchildren, Jonathon and Natalie Casson; his brother, Robert (Vicki) Schaefer of Sun Prairie, Wis.; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Viola; and a sister, Lenore. Services for Duane were held on Wednesday, July 25, 2001, in Las Vegas, where he was buried at Palm Memorial Park - Northwest.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on July 29, 2001; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Obituary: Phebbie Frances (Williams) Rudd-Crawford

MADISON [Wisconsin] - Phebbie Frances Rudd-Crawford, age 59, passed away on Thursday, July 26, 2001, at St. Marys Hospital, Madison. She was born on Sept. 17, 1941, in Americus, Ga. She was the eldest daughter of Benjamin Williams Jr. and the late Amandia Mae Williams. Phebbie was a graduate of Madison (Wis.) Central High School. She worked as a personnel specialist for the Department of Natural Resources until her retirement in 1997. We will all miss her bright smile, deep set dimples and joyful laugh. She has graced us all with her unique style and matter-of-fact personality. Phebbie leaves behind her husband of 17 years, Douglas M. Crawford; three sons, Mark Rudd, Migel (Brenda) Rudd and Michael Rudd; her father, Benjamin Williams Jr.; her sister, Rosetta Williams; her brother, Eugene Williams; and three grandchildren, Amanda Von Behren and Micah Rudd, both of Madison, and Janee' Mc Alister of Charleston, S.C. Survivors also include several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, and a host of cousins and friends. Visitation will be held on Monday, July 30, 2001, at 10:30 a.m. at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. The funeral service will follow directly afterwards at noon, with the Rev. David Smith and Pastor Melva McShane officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery, Madison. Fellowship will follow immediately after the burial at Faith Community Christian Church (St. Marks Lutheran Building), 605 Spruce Street. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association on behalf of Phebbie F. Rudd-Crawford.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on July 28, 2001; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Helen M. (Meyers) Guzman - Class of 1932

MADISON [Wisconsin] - Helen M. Guzman died on Tuesday, July 24, 2001, at St. Marys Hospital after a brief illness. Helen was born Dec. 21, 1914, in Madison, Wis., the daughter of Arthur and Ruth Meyers. She graduated from Madison Central High School in 1932. She was united in marriage to Simeon Reyes Guzman on Feb. 8, 1946. She was employed for almost four decades by the University of Wisconsin. For much of her employment she was the personal secretary to Dr. Mark H. Ingrahm, who mentioned her in several of his book acknowledgements. In one he said, "Mrs. Guzman has again given me invaluable editorial advice." Helen is survived by her son, David Rey Guzman of California; and a grandson, Paul Murphy. Two brothers-in law survive her, Howard Wagner and Robert Wodke. She is survived by the many nieces and nephews who have enjoyed her company, Betty Custer, Virginia Martinson, Helen (Dolly) Emerson, Nancee Bauer, Jean Ebersohl, John Haight, Pat Madani, Steve Wagner, Frank Meyers, Barbara Wodke, Jean Geving, Bob Wodke, Burton Neesvig, Ruth Garner, Bob Harris, Dick Meyers, Doris Bayer, Earl Day Jr., Mary Ruth Burnes and James Day; and their children who have given her special moments. Several spouses of her nieces were particularly close to her in past years, Corkey Custer and Dick Bauer in particular. She was predeceased by her husband, Simeon; her parents; and her siblings, Robert Meyers, Dorothy Emerson, Margaret Neesvig, Vera Day, David Meyers, Ruth Harris, Mary Waterworth and Grace Wodke. She was also preceded in death by nieces, Betty Von Rutenberg, Ruth Olson and Peggy Neesvig. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 28, 2001, at 11 a.m. at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, with the Rev. Ute Molitor presiding. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Friends and relatives may greet the family from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. prior to the services at the funeral home.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on July 27, 2001; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Margaret A. (Hanold) Sasso - Class of 1958

MADISON [Wisconsin] - Margaret A. (Hanold) Sasso, age 61, died on Saturday, July 14, 2001. She was born on April 19, 1940, in Madison, the daughter of Lorenz "Duke" and Pearl M. Hanold. Margaret graduated from Madison Central High School in 1958. She married Emerald "LeRoy" Hewitt in 1959, and from this marriage came three sons, Larry, Gregg and James, and from these three sons came eight wonderful grandchildren, Mike, Tim, Brittany, Abby, Jacob, Grif, Cody and Jonah. She later married Fred Sasso. She was a teacher and then supervisor of IBA Beauty College for many years. She loved going to the cottage on Fish Lake, being with her grandkids and people in general. Anyone she touched during her short life will remember her and smile at something she did to make them laugh. This small person with the big heart and bubbly personality will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her husband, Fred; three sons, Larry (Kari) Hewitt of Deerfield, Gregg (Shelly) Hewitt, and James (Jody) Hewitt, both of Madison; a stepson, Tony Sasso of Wisconsin Dells; eight grandchildren; two sisters, Ruth (Don) Schiffman of Forsyth, Mo., and Lorene (Gale) Botten of Duluth, Minn.; a brother, Bill (Sharon) Hanold of Lake Wisconsin; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents. A prayer service will be held on Tuesday, July 17, 2001, at 7:30 p.m. at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive. Friends may call on Tuesday from 5 p.m. until the time of the services at the funeral home. Burial will take place on Wednesday, July 18, 2001, at 10 a.m. at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. Gunderson East Funeral Home (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on July 18, 2001; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Obituary: Sidney Edward Knope - Class of 1928

CHARLESTON, S.C./MADISON [Wisconsin] - Sidney Edward Knope, an almost lifelong resident of Madison, died at Roper Hospital in Charleston, S.C., after a heart attack on Sunday, June 24, 2001. He passed the following day with his children at his side. Sid was born on Feb. 23, 1911, in Madison. He was a 1928 graduate of Madison Central High School and earned an economics degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1932. He devoted 42 years to state government in Wisconsin, employed by the Industrial Commission, where he helped pioneer the administration of unemployment compensation. In his youth, Sid was the city champion speed skater. He also participated in baseball and bowling leagues. He was active in his support of the Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps in the 1960s. He and his wife, Perle, were loyal supporters of the Madison Symphony, the Madison Theatre Guild and were charter members of the Friends of the Madison Civic Center. He volunteered to usher, take tickets and lead backstage tours of the Civic Center from shortly after it opened in 1980 until 1999, when he was 88. He had worked his way through college ushering for vaudeville shows and big band concerts at the Orpheum Theater and later at the Capitol Theater, which became the original Civic Center. Sid joked that he started out ushering for 27-1/2 cents per hour and worked his way up to doing it for free. He also helped write and produce stage shows in the early days of the Nakoma neighborhood and later for the West High School PTA. Although he dearly loved Madison, Sid and Perle traveled the world after his retirement. She used to tease him about never taking her out of Dane County. They built a home together on Waban Hill in Nakoma in 1938. He lived there for more than 60 years. She died in 1990. Sid moved to assisted living in Mount Pleasant, S.C., in September 2000, where he continued to follow Wisconsin State Journal articles about the Civic Center expansion with great interest. In February of this year, he celebrated his 90th birthday with four generations of his family, from five states. Real Wisconsin Badger ice cream was flown in for the occasion by his niece, Sue Small Knight. He leaves a daughter, Beth (Archie) Johnston of Edisto Beach, S.C.; and a son, David (Muriel) of Atlanta, Ga. He had four grandchildren, Mike (Amy) Thompson of Houston, Texas, and Dan (Vicki) Thompson, Laurie Hahn and Jonathan Knope, all of the Atlanta area. His great-grandchildren are Lana, Austin and Heather Thompson, and Mark and Jason Hahn, all of the Atlanta area. Nieces and nephews include Sue Knight and Don Small of Madison, and Phil Small of Germantown, Wis. Sid was preceded in death by his wife, Perle; and his sister, Wilma, both of Madison; sister-in-law, Bonnie Small of Princeton, N.J.; and brother-in-law, Ford Small of Madison. There will be a graveside service in Madison at Forest Hills Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 21, 2001, and at 3:30 p.m. the family will be available for visitation at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Friends of the Madison Civic Center, or a charity of the donors choice.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on July 18, 2001; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Note: Doug Moe's column in The Capital Times on July 18, 2001 paid homage to Sid Knope and his lifelong love of theater.

Obituary: Florence (Bentley) Healy

RICE LAKE [Wisconsin] - Florence Healy, age 99, of Rice Lake, Wis., died Wednesday, July 11, 2001, at the Rice Lake Convalescent Center. She was born Nov. 27, 1901, in Oregon, Wis., to Emmett and Lodima (Powers) Bentley. She graduated from Madison Central High School. On May 16, 1934, she was married to A.J. "Ted" Healy in Madison. Florence worked for the University of Wisconsin School of Engineering until the mid 1940s. She served as a volunteer for the Veterans Hospitals across Wisconsin and also was a volunteer for the DAV and the Military Order of the Purple Heart. She is survived by many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, A. J. "Ted" Healy, in 1988; her parents, Emmett and Lodima Bently; two sisters, Alice and Faye; and a brother, Floyd. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, July 16, 2001, at APPLEYARD'S HOME FOR FUNERALS in Rice Lake, with interment in Nora Cemetery in Rice Lake. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Monday at APPLEYARD'S HOME FOR FUNERALS.

Originally published in The Capital Times on July 14-15, 2001; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Obituary: Thomas Wesley Greene - Class of 1966

MADISON [Wisconsin] - Thomas Wesley Greene was born March 15, 1948, in Madison, Wis., the youngest son of Mildred and George Greene. He died on Wednesday, June 20, 2001, in his home of complications due to a long illness. Thomas Tommy attended Madison Central High School and graduated with the class of 1966. He attended Madison Area Technical College and UW-Madison. He was formerly employed at Electric Data Systems (EDS) prior to his illness. His mother, Mrs. Mildred Greene of Madison; a daughter, Mirandia; a son, Wesley; a brother, Jim Greene (Deloris); his estranged wife, Sherri Greene; a grandson; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends survive him. His father, George W. Greene; a sister, Catherine Rich; and a brother, George W. Greene Jr., preceded Tommy in death. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 14, 2001, at SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH, 4303 Britta Parkway. Pastor D.S. Moss will officiate.


Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on July 11, 2001; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)