Obituary: Naomi (Bambrough) Voigts - Class of 1943

MADISON - Naomi A. Voigts, age 80, of Madison, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2005, at home. She was born on May 31, 1925, in Lancaster, to Frank and Josephine (Bradley) Bambrough. Naomi graduated from Madison Central High School in 1943. She worked for the Madison Public Library for 28 years as supervisor of materials preparation. Naomi was also active with the Madison Coalition of Aging for 15 years. She was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church for more than 45 years. Naomi is survived by three daughters, Karla Herron of Madison, Susie (Steve) Krebs of Lakeville, Minn. and Kristi Smith of Warrenville, Ill.; a son, Paul (Judy) Voigts of Madison; grandchildren, Rusty Herron, Briar Herron, Angel Krebs, Bethany Krebs and Laura (Emmett) Black; and great-grandchildren, Briar and Kaleb Herron. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carlton; her parents; a brother, Clarence "Bud" Hooks; and sisters, Ruby Hartnett and Harriet Gorman. Memorial services will be held at MESSIAH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5202 Cottage Grove Road, Madison, at noon on Monday, Nov. 28, 2005. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to the Hospice staff for their care. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on November 27, 2005

Obituary: Jeanne Carol (Hanek) Steine - Class of 1945

MADISON - Jeanne Carol (Hanek) Steine, age 78, quietly passed away in her home on Monday, Nov. 21, 2005. She was born on March 28, 1927, in Oconto Falls, the youngest of seven children born to the loving and close family of Frank and Maude Hanek. Jeanne Carol moved to Madison with her family in 1943. She graduated from Central High School in 1945, and shortly thereafter went to work at Bell Telephone, as a long distance operator. Jeanne Carol had a soothing voice and was a good singer, as were her brothers and sisters. In 1951, she married Arnie Steine of Decorah, Iowa, and became a loving wife and mother. She returned to work after her husband's death in 1966. With her warm personality and experience as an operator, she worked as a receptionist until her retirement in 1986. Jeanne enjoyed her independence and loved to travel with her sisters to visit family and friends. Although her last few years became physically difficult for her, she never complained and battled courageously until her last breath. Jeanne was a kind and gentle soul. Her love and life will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by those she touched. She is survived by her son, Kent; a brother, Blaine Hanek; a sister, Verle (Hanek) Jacobs; granddaughter, Autumn (Steine) Malotke; grandson, Shane Steine; great-grandson, Donovan Malotke; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arnie Steine; parents, Frank Hanek and Maude (McLean) Hanek; sisters, Joyce Hanek and Geraldine (Hanek) Everett; brothers, Claude Hanek and Donald Hanek. A Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, Nov. 28, 2005, at 11 a.m. at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, with Father Kent Schmitt presiding. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at the church. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on November 25, 2005

Obituary: Joseph Petrus Wergin - Class of 1927

MADISON - Joe was born in Madison, on Jan. 22, 1910. He attended Holy Redeemer Elementary School and Central High School, and obtained bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Wisconsin. After graduation in 1933, he taught science and coached at Edgerton High School. In 1940, he married Jennie Anderson and went to work for the U.S. Post Office. He joined the Army during World War II and advanced to the rank of sergeant. After discharge, he returned to the Post Office and in 1961, was appointed Postmaster of the Village of McFarland. During his postal career, he also operated the McFarland Tavern and the McFarland Real Estate Company, developed the Larwood Hills subdivision in Westport, and ran for the State Assembly as a Democratic candidate. Joe was an expert card player and wrote seven books that established him as an international authority on skat and cribbage. He is known for applying a scientific approach to card play and developing the Wergin System for evaluating skat hands. He served as North American Skat League secretary and president for many years and was first vice president of the International Skat Congress. Joe retired from the Post Office in 1970 to devote himself full-time to promoting card play. He taught sheepshead and skat at the UW Memorial Union and cribbage at elementary schools. He led the formation of the American Cribbage Congress in 1979 and served as president for 13 years. He established a network of ACC Grass Roots Clubs, standardized tournament rules, developed a round-robin method of qualification play, and organized an annual Tournament of Champions. His last project as ACC president was to start a youth cribbage program to help children improve their math skills. He was honored by being the first living person elected to the Cribbage Hall of Fame in 1982 and by establishment of the Joseph Petrus Wergin Invitational Tournament in Reno, Nevada, an annual competition that draws over 1,000 players. Joe passed away on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005, at Hebron Oaks Nursing Home (Oakwood), where he lived for the past seven years. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Ginny (Larry) White of Madison; sister, Julia Harris of Spring Valley, Calif.; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Jennie; and daughter, Elaine; his sisters, Agnes Goede, Martha Koch, and Katherine Hardy; his brother, Gary Wergin; and his dear friend Marguerite Dukes. Visitation will be at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005, with a pass and review at 6 p.m. A prayer service will be at 6:45 p.m. Burial will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park where military rites will be conducted. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005, at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield Street, Monona, with Father John Meinholz and Father Diego Cuevas concelebrating. Visitation will be at the church beginning at 10:30 a.m. Memorials may be directed to Oakwood Foundation, 6201 Mineral Point Road, Madison 53705. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on November 14, 2005


Note: Joseph Wergin's class year comes from the 1927 Tychoberahn, where he is pictured among the seniors.

03/07/2006 - Joseph Wergin's daughter, Ginny, sent an email with a link to a Doug Moe column in The Capital Times about her father. You may read it by clicking HERE. The Wisconsin State Journal also published a tribute to Joseph Wergin, written by Brenda Ingersoll. You may read it by clicking HERE. Moe, by the way, mentions Central High School in his tribute to Joseph Wergin. Ingersoll does not, but unlike Moe she's not a townie, so she may not be familiar with the long and illustrious history of Central High School.

Obituary: Elva (Dunham) Buenzli - Class of 1932

MADISON - Elva M. Buenzli, age 90, passed away Monday, Oct. 31, 2005, at the Don and Marilyn Anderson Hospice Center. Elva was born on Jan. 5, 1915, in Tomahawk to parents Anna and Alton Dunham. She graduated from Madison Central High School and also from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, earning a degree in political science. On Oct. 15, 1938, Elva married William L. Buenzli at St. Raphael's Cathedral, where she was a member until her death. Elva is survived by her three children, Suzanne (Ben) Hutchison, William D. (Denise) Buenzli and Edward (Judy) Buenzli; eight grandchildren, Heidi Meixner, Brett Buenzli, Heath Hutchison, Tyler Buenzli, Bryan Buenzli, Paige Hutchison, Haley Buenzli and Adrienne Buenzli; two great-grandsons, Zachary and Taryn Meixner; and brother-in-law, Howard Buenzli. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Judge William Buenzli. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005, at ST. BERNARD'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Ave., Madison, with a visitation at 9 a.m. until the time of service. Monsignor Michael E. Hippee and Monsignor Daniel Ganshert will be officiating. Entombment will be at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to HopiceCare, Inc., the American Red Cross or the Apostolate to the Handicapped. A special thanks to the caregivers and medical staff at Meriter Hospital and the Don and Marilyn Anderson Hospice Center. Cress Funeral & Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on November 9, 2005

Note: Elva Dunham's graduation date is based on information in the Madison Central High School yearbook for 1932.

Obituary: Helen (Barlow) Miller - Class of 1930

MIDDLETON/ MADISON - Helen B. Miller, died unexpectedly at Oakwood Village on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2005. She was born March 25, 1912, in Greenville, Mich., the first born of Chester and Louise (Metzke) Barlow. She graduated from Central High School and excelled in art. On Aug. 1, 1931, she married Norbert R. Miller. For many years they worked together in their flower shop and greenhouses, Hillside Flowershop in Middleton. Helen was a very talented and artistic person ranging from floral design and flower bed design to quilting. "There was no questions regarding plants and flowers that could stump our mother." Helen was a member of West Middleton Lutheran Church. Helen is survived by four daughters, Dr. Jane Chapman Sevastou (Nikitis) of Paxia Raxia, Greece, Judy Smrcka (Rev. Dr. Thomas), most recently of Portes, Aegina Island, Greece, Marilyn Lokken of rural Verona, and Faith Clay of Carmel Valley, Calif.; thirteen grandchildren; and seventeen great-grandchildren. She was anticipating the arrival of her first great-great-grandchild in January. She is also survived by her brother, Gaylord Barlow (Rita) of Milwaukee. Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Norbert "Nibbs," in 1992; her daughter, Marcia Reid of Decatur, Ill.; her parents; three brothers, Claude, Everett and William Barlow; and a sister, Elizabeth "Betty" McCafferty. A memorial service will be held at OAKWOOD RESURRECTION CHAPEL, 6201 Mineral Point Road, Madison, at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2005. Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Centers 7435 University Ave. (608) 831-6761

Originally printed in the Wisconsin State Journal on November 6, 2005; Corrected version (shown here) reprinted on November 8, 2005 (some lines of type had been transposed in the original)