Obituary - Norman R. Gjerde - Class of 1930

MADISON - Norman R. Gjerde, age 92, died on Monday, Nov. 22, 2004, at the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center. He was born on Jan. 4, 1912, in Madison, the only child of Andrew and Alma (Voss) Gjerde. Norm was a lifelong resident of Madison. He married the former Evelyn Zink on Oct. 9, 1940. She preceded him in death in 1995. Norm served in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific during World War II. He retired from the UW-Madison School of Pharmacy in 1978. He enjoyed bowling, golf, riding his bicycle, woodworking and he was an all-around handyman. He is survived by his son, Dick (Sue Crouch); his daughter, Diane (Wayne) Corey; his grandson, Aaron Dushack; his two step-grandsons, Greg (Laura Croft) Corey and Christopher Corey; his step-great-granddaughter, Karen Corey; several cousins and other family members. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 26, 2004, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, with the Rev. Robert Boehler officiating. Visitation will follow from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Private family burial will be held in Forest Hill Cemetery. The family would like to thank the staff at Harmony Assisted Living Center for their compassionate care of Norm the last two years. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Harmony Living Center, 705 Ziegler Road, Madison, WI 53714, HospiceCare Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI, 53711, or to the family.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on November 24, 2004

Note: Norman R. Gjerde's class year is based on information in the 1930 Tychoberahn, where his senior picture is shown in the section on February graduates.

Obituary: Rosalia "Sally" (Friedl) Brabender

ASHTON/ MIDDLETON - Rosalia M. "Sally" Brabender, age 91, died on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004, at Oregon Manor Nursing Home, following a lengthy illness. She was born in Madison on Nov. 30, 1912, to Anton and Anna (Miller) Friedl. She attended Holy Redeemer Catholic Elementary School and Madison Central High School. In 1933, she met the love of her life at a Fourth of July picnic in Waunakee. Eighteen months later, on Dec. 27, 1934, she married him, Hubert Brabender, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. They lived at 212 N. Frances St., Madison, until 1942. That's when she followed her man, who was following his heart to the country, the Brabender family homestead in Ashton, and that's where she enjoyed the rest of her life. She didn't exactly embrace farm life. According to Dad, "She tried to milk a cow once. Easiest milkier in the barn. She never finished it." She also tried driving a tractor, once. She admitted that she was a city girl through and through. But she endured and grew to love her adopted Ashton home, northwest of Madison. She even found a farm chore she liked, washing milk machines to be near Dad while he worked in the barn. Any spare time she filled with embroidery, sewing, making bread and pecan rolls, playing cards, visiting with family and friends, clipping coupons, and collecting teddy bears. Sally was looking forward to her 70th wedding anniversary and her 92nd birthday in the next few weeks. She didn't quite make it, but she left this world with her eyes wide open because she didn't want to miss a thing on the way out. She is survived by her best friend and husband, Hubert; six children, Hubert Jr. of Guthrie, Okla., Joyce (Joe) Mulhern, Earyl (Angie) Brabender and Wayne (friend Kirsten) Brabender, all of Madison, Jerry (Susie) Brabender of Oregon, and Deb (Jeff) Tracy of Ashton; 18 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Clement A., Raymond J. and Albert P. Friedl; sister, Marie A. Friedl; sisters-in-law, Constance W., Gertrude M. and Helen M. Friedl; and daughter-in-law, Betty Ann Curlee Brabender. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. PETER'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7125 County Trunk K, Ashton, at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2004, with Father Bud Hollfelder presiding. Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery. Family and friends may call on Wednesday from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service at the church. The family would like to thank the Oregon Manor staff and Dr. Randall Haas for their gentle care of Mom during her last three months. And special thanks to cousin, Barb Ziegler, for her selfless help with the funeral arrangements. Mom, you were the model of unconditional love. Everyone knew that. Don't think that we didnt notice the Northern Lights dancing across the sky after you left us. And it's no coincidence that Dad now sleeps on your side of the bed. He misses you. He misses your love. We all do. Say Hi to Toto, Marie, and the Friedl and Brabender clans. Till we see you again, we'll keep your spot open at the kitchen table. Gunderson West Funeral Home 7435 University Ave. Middleton (608) 831-6761

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on November 9, 2004

Obituary: Ruth (Murphy) Smith

MADISON - Ruth G. Smith, age 86, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2004, at St. Marys Hospital. She was born on May 25, 1918, in Waunakee, the daughter of Joseph and Alice (King) Murphy. Ruth graduated from Madison Central High School and Madison Business College. and attended the University of Wisconsin. On May 4, 1940, Ruth was married to James W. Smith in Madison at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Ruth enjoyed playing cards, especially bridge and euchre. She also was an avid reader and could power through a series of Nora Roberts books in no time flat. She was a true Irish woman and had a very witty character. She is survived by her sons, William (Monica) Smith of Windsor, and Michael (Patti) Smith of Middleton; and her grandchildren Megan (Chad) Margenau of Sun Prairie, Melissa Smith of Atlanta, Ga., and Ray (Amiee) Rogers of Sun Prairie; two great-grandchildren, Payton and Chloe; and several nieces and nephews. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, James; and her parents. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2004, at ST. PATRICK'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 404 E. Main St., Madison, at 9:30 a.m. with Father William Seipp celebrating. A visitation will be held at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 2418 N. Sherman Ave., from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 5, 2004, and also again on Saturday from 9 a.m. until time of Mass. Ruth's family would like to extend their thanks to the doctors and nursing staff of St. Marys Hospital and to Ruth's special friend and niece, Pat Brickl, the bridge club, Alice, Laura and Ellen, her lifelong friend, Margaret (Peg) Tierney, and Virgina and Janet and all of Ruth's friends at Sherman Glen. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to a favorite charity. May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. And rain fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the Hollow of His Hand. Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services 2418 N. Sherman Ave. (608) 249-8257

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on November 4, 2004

Obituary: Phyllis (Thompson) Wambold

BELLEVILLE - Phyllis M. Wambold, age 70, of Belleville passed away at her home on Monday, Nov. 1, 2004. Phyllis was born on Aug. 9, 1934, in Pardeeville, the daughter of Phillip and Fern (Humphrey) Thompson. Phyllis lived in California, New Mexico, Alaska, and Wisconsin, from young adulthood and settled in Madison in her teenage years. She attended Madison Central High School. Phyllis was involved with many social as well as business and community affairs. She was past president of the Insurance Women of Madison, and attended many of their regional conventions throughout the Midwest. She was past president of the Green County Legal Secretaries Association. Phyllis moved to Belleville in 1965, and was involved in many things. She played on the old Fischl's ladies softball team, bowled on and off for several years. Phyllis loved shooting pool and played for J & M's ladies pool team for several years. She volunteered her time and was an ambulance driver for a short time for the Belleville EMS. She was past president of the Belleville Library Committee. Phyllis ran for and was elected twice as a trustee for the Village Board, serving four years on the Board, as well as the Belleville Police Committee. Phyllis played cards for the Reallee Awful Card Club (The RACC) since they began 20 years ago. She enjoyed this immensely. Phyllis was known as "YR" (Your Reporter) and wrote for the Belleville Recorder about local news, as well as Belleville Meanderings, as Jack Adams would like to say to her. Her newspaper columns were read and commented on so many times she got into a little trouble with her opinions. Phyllis loved animals and all wildlife. She and her former husband, Bruce, were charter members of the Dane County Wildlife Rehabilitation section of the Dane County Humane Society. They saved and relocated many raccoons and squirrels over the years. It was always a labor of love even if it took many hours of tender care and no sleep. Phyllis loved to read, work crossword puzzles and play on her computer. Phyllis is survived by a daughter, Gwen (Randy) Keehn of Belleville; a son, Edward "Butch" (Diane) Peschl of Belleville; two step-children, Steve Wambold of Sun Prairie and Krystal (fianc, Jeff Turner) Wambold of Madison; four grandchildren, Jennifer (Jim) Otte, Travis Keehn, and Kylie and Tanner Peschl; a great-grandchild, Riley Miller; a great-grandchild-to-be "the baby, Otte"; and her golden retriever, the lovely Elizabeth. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Mitzi Thompson; and stepmother, Elsie Thompson. Relatives and friends may call from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2004, at the BECKER-BEAL FUNERAL HOME, 212 Evarts St., Belleville, where a memorial service will be held at 8 p.m. Becker-Beal Funeral Home is serving the family.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on November 3, 2004

Obituary: Charles Frank "Moe" Motisi - Class of 1941

MCFARLAND - Charles Frank "Moe" Motisi, age 82, died on Monday, Nov. 1, 2004. He was born on Sept. 30, 1922, in Madison, the son of Anthony and Rosaria (Reggio) Motisi. Charles graduated from Madison Central High School in 1941. He was Golden Gloves boxing champion in 1942. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from December 1942 until March 1946, in the European, African, and Middle Eastern Theater. Charles married Frances Savage on Sept. 28, 1946. He retired from H & M Distributing in 1989. Charles was a lifelong member of St. Bernard Catholic Church. He is survived by his wife, Frances; three daughters, Sherry (James) Tesmer, Karen Motisi (Ned Richardson), and Jo (Patrick) Witz; five grandchildren, Tami (Jeff) Moen, Teri Geiwitz, Justin, Brandon, and Megan Witz; two great-grandchildren, Michael and Nicole Moen; two brothers, Tom Motisi and John (Polly) Motisi; two sisters, Helen Seffens and Sarah (Fred) Luddy; and many nieces and nephews. Charles was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Charles Jr.; four brothers, Sam, Dominic, Tony, and Joe; and a sister, Grace. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2004, with Monsignor Michael Hippee presiding. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the Madison Veterans Firing Squad. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. Gunderson East Funeral Home (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on November 3, 2004