Obituary: Lisetta Dorothea (Graves) Lautz - Class of 1930

MADISON - Lisetta Dorothea Graves Lautz, age 92, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2005. Lisetta was born in Prairie du Chien, on May 16, 1912, the daughter of Attorney and Mrs. William R. Graves (Martha Horsfall). She attended elementary schools in Prairie du Chien and high schools in Prairie du Chien, Miami, Fla. and Madison. She was a 1930 graduate of Madison Central High School. She graduated from UW-Madison in 1935 with a B.A. degree in botany. While at UW, she was the social editor for the Daily Cardinal, having a column called "The Rambler." She taught grade school in Wauzeka for two years, and then married Harold L. Lautz of La Crosse, on Aug. 14, 1937, in Prairie du Chien. She was a long time member of Luther Memorial Church and a past president of its Dorcus Society. She was also a member of the Altar Guild and the Lutheran Women's Organization. She was a life member of Monona Chapter No. 5, Order of the Eastern Star, with dual membership in the Prairie du Chien chapter, a member of Antioch Temple No. 113, Daughters of the Nile and of Zor Auxiliary. She was an active member of the AX chapter of PEO, the DAR and past president of the Patroness Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity. She was also a member of the American Association of University Women and a life member of the Wisconsin Alumni Association. She was also president of the Randall School PTA where her children attended. While at UW, she was president of Phi Omega Pi sorority, which later merged with Delta Zeta. As an alumna, she was active in both alumnae groups. She and her brothers owned the Horsfall Lumberyard in Prairie du Chien, Bridgeport and Wauzeka. She enjoyed playing bridge, dancing, attending musicals, following the activities of her children and grandchildren and traveling many parts of the world on ocean cruises. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Harold; sons, William of Madison, and Donald (Maureen) of Racine; daughters, Suzanne (James) Machan of Waukesha, and Beverly (Robert) Haimerl of Madison; granddaughter, Jennifer Lautz (Brad Hightdudis) of California; grandsons, Greg (Ann) Lautz of Racine, Roger (Dawn) Lautz of Madison, Steve Lautz of Milwaukee, Kevin (Stacy) Machan of Menomonee Falls, Brian (Jaye) Machan of New Jersey, and Derek (April) Machan of Waterford; great- grandson Nicholas Hightdudis; and great-granddaughter, Katherine Lisetta Hightdudis. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Florence; and brothers, Roswell and David. Funeral services will be at LUTHER MEMORIAL CHURCH, Madison, on Friday, Feb. 11, 2005, at 2 p.m. with Pastors Shelley Bobb and Timothy Dean officiating. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery following the service. There will also be a reception at the church following the service. Visitation will be on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2005, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. Friends may also call at the church from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at the church. Memorials may be made to the Shriner's Hospital or to Luther Memorial Church. Cress Funeral & Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on February 10, 2005