Obituary: Del Michael Converse - Class of 1967

MIDDLETON [Wisconsin] - Del Michael Converse, age 53, passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2002. Del was born in Superior, Wis., on Nov. 24, 1948, to Michael R. Converse and Audrey I. Johnson Converse. He was raised in Madison and was a 1967 graduate of Madison Central High School. He attended Madison Area Technical College and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Del enlisted in the U.S. Army where he proudly served a full career. His military service took him to the West Point Military Academy, the Pentagon, and two tours of duty in Germany. Del ultimately attained the rank of sergeant. In recent years, Del worked for the Army Corps of Engineers in Louisville, Ky. He will be deeply missed as a son, father, brother, uncle, partner and friend. Del is survived by four children, Eric (Karyn) Saemann of Deerfield, Del Andrew Kolasinski of New Berlin, Russell Converse of West Lafayette, Ind., and Michelle Converse of Arlington, Tenn. He is further survived by his mother, Audrey I. Converse of Madison; his father, Michael R. Converse of DeForest; sisters Pam Britton of Waunakee, and Kimberly Lee Converse of Janesville; and brother, Gregory Lee Converse of Madison; his partner, Debbie Detzer of Indiana; three nephews, Daniel Cashin of Madison, and Matthew Cashin and Michael Cashin of Janesville; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. A memorial service in celebration of Del's life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 26, 2002, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road. The Rev. David Swenson will officiate. Friends may gather on Friday from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the William S. Middleton Veterans Memorial Hospital, 2500 Overlook Terrace, Madison, WI 53705. Cress Funeral Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in The Capital Times on April 25, 2002; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)