Obituary: Dorothy Collins DeWitt - Class of 1929

MADISON - Dorothy Collins DeWitt passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 25, 2006, at Attic Angel Place. She was born on May 10, 1911, in Madison, the daughter of William H. and Dora (Kinney) Collins. After graduation from Madison Central High School, Dorothy attended the University of Wisconsin where she received a master's degree in Comparative Literature in 1937. Her second master's degree - this in Social Work - was earned at Wayne State University in 1965, the same year she became a proud grandmother. She was employed by TIME magazine in New York from 1937 until her marriage in 1939 to Thomas Ward DeWitt of Pelham, N.Y. Tom had completed requirements for a PhD in Physical Chemistry and won a post doctorate fellowship to Johns Hopkins University. That began a series of long distance moves, many new communities, many new friends and in every location, many opportunities for Dorothy to do volunteer work. Until very late in her life, Dorothy continued to volunteer herself and her time. She was a regular at St. Marys Day Care Center. Her house was full of foreign college graduate students who brought their compositions to Dorothy for editorial comment. Dorothy played classical piano and so it followed that many graduate music students enjoyed her grand piano and her genuine interest. She is survived by her two daughters, Suki and Carol; three grandchildren, Jennifer, John and Jess; and three great-grandchildren, Caleb, Jack, and Aubrey. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Tom in 1991; four brothers, William, John, Paul and Joseph; and beloved sister, Catherine, who lived for many years with Dorothy in Attic Angels and recently died in 2004. Dorothy's family would like to acknowledge the loving attention of her niece and god child, Joan Lane of Oak Ridge, Tenn. and Dorothy's other niece and her husband, Carol (Jerry) Sedik of Belvidere, Ill. who came to Madison every Tuesday for years to honor their aunts and take them on adventures. Their love and devotion are exceptional and rare. Our family is so grateful to her friend and companion, Sharon Borland, who in caring for Dorothy made cheer a top priority, followed closely by lots of hugs. Dorothy's children, coming from out of state for extended visits, were witness to day and night, week after week, year after year of tender care by the staff at Attic Angel Place. To help the elderly through challenging times seems the most noble of professions. Surely Dorothy would want us all to volunteer where needed. We gladly send her to peace, but she will be missed in this world by all those whose lives she has touched. Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services 5701 Odana Road (608) 274-1000


Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 30, 2006

Note: Dorothy Collins's class year is based on information in the 1929 Tychoberahn, where her photograph is included among those of the June graduating class.

Obituary: Michael W. Connery - Class of 1967

MADISON - Michael W. Connery, age 56, died Thursday, April 27, 2006, in his home. He was born July 15, 1949, in Madison, the son of Maurice and Lucille (O'Donnell) Connery. Mike was proud of being in the U.S. Marine Corps, having served in Vietnam, where he was awarded a Purple Heart. He was a longtime employee of Bev's Restaurant, had driven for Madison Taxi for several years, and in the early 80s Mike was employed by J. W. Connery Painting for several years. Mike also enjoyed woodworking, dancing and movies. Survivors include three sisters, Bev Philumalee of Marshall, Mary (Roger) Claus of Pewaukee and Sandra (James) Bancroft of Rio; seven brothers, Donald (Lisa) Connery of Madison, Joseph (Linda Bailey) Connery of Middleton, Emmett (Jo Ann) Connery of Sayner, Thomas (Beverly) Connery of Brooklyn, Tim (Randi) Connery of Cottage Grove, Patrick Connery of McFarland and Jerome (Patty) Connery of Sun Prairie; three sisters-in-law, Carol Mae, Shirley and Mary Connery; a brother-in-law, Lenny Small; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Mike was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Jean Whitmore and Ruth Small; two brothers, Maurice and Richard; three brothers-in-law, Dutch Whitmore, Ronald Dunn and Harvey Philumalee; and a sister-in-law, Kay Connery. A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m.Wednesday May 3, 2006, at the CRESS FUNERAL HOME, where friends may call from 3 p.m. until time of the service. The Rev. Jeff VandenHuvel will officiate. Military honors will be accorded by the Madison Firing Squad. "Semper Fidelis," Michael! Cress Funeral & Cremation Service 3325 E. Washington Ave. (608) 249-6666

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 30, 2006

Note: Michael Connery's alumni status as a member of the Class of 1967 is based on information in the 1967 Tychoberahn.

Obituary: Thomas J. Masino - Class of 1968

MADISON - Thomas J. Masino, age 56, passed away on Thursday, April 27, 2006, at home, surrounded by his loving family. In November 2005, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Tom faced his illness courageously, undergoing surgery and treatment. Throughout his life, including during his brief illness, Tom always put his family and friends before himself. Tom was born on Jan. 7, 1950, to George Masino and Lou Ann (Brewer) Hultgren. He attended Central High School where he met the love of his life, the former Mary Maloney. They were united in marriage on May 22, 1969, and had two children, Cheryl and Laura Masino. On May 26, 1994, his pride and joy, granddaughter, Ashley was born. This was the proudest moment in his life. His famous words to her were, "I love you very much." Tom's chosen career was law enforcement, serving in Mineral Point, New Glarus, Blanchardville and the Iowa County Sheriff's Office. After many years, he decided to change careers and became the Operations Manager at the Iowa County Memorial Hospital. Shortly after he began working at the hospital, he realized his true passion and returned to serving the community. On July 5, 1987, he was hired as a Communicator in Dane County. Tom was promoted to Supervisor in 1995, and retired on April 1, 2006. Tom was a volunteer on the Town of Madison Fire Department in the early 70s and was a certified EMT. Tom also served as the Union President for AFSCME Local 720, Dane County Employees, before being promoted to supervisor. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Mary; daughters, Cheryl (Calvin) and Laura (Daniel); granddaughter, Ashley; and granddogs, Pooh Bear and Tito, all of Madison. He is further survived by his mother and step-father, Lou Ann and Allan Hultgren of Fitchburg; his father and step-mother, George and Karen Masino of Temecula, Calif.; siblings, Steven, Mary Ann, John, Jeff, Lisa, Michael and Christopher; and numerous other relatives and special friends. Tom was preceded in death by an infant brother, Robert. He had an effect on everyone he came in contact with and has left an emptiness in all of our hearts. He was the best at everything he did and he always did things his way. A memorial service celebrating Tom's life will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 1, 2006. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 3 p.m. until the time of the service on Monday. Tom, we will never say goodbye. You will be with us forever in our hearts. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 30, 2006

Note: Thomas Masino's photo appears as a sophomore in the 1966 Tychoberahn and a junior in the 1967 Tychoberahn, so his class year is probably 1968. Information about the yearbook photos was provided by Sidney Iwanter (Class of 1967).

Obituary: Rebecca Nathenson - Class of 1930

MADISON/ MILWAUKEE - Rebecca Nathenson, age 92, died Thursday, April 27, 2006, in Milwaukee. Rebecca was born in Russia on July 10, 1913. In 1923, at age 10, she immigrated to the United States with her mother and two sisters, joining her father who had arrived seven years earlier. She was educated at Doty Elementary School and continued her studies at Central High School, where she graduated with high honors in 1930 and was Salutatorian of her class. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1934 with a degree in Social Work. She later received a master's degree in Russian from Middlebury College in Vermont and completed all required course work for a Ph.D. in Russian at New York University, electing not to submit her thesis for the formal degree. For most of her life, she worked as a Social Worker, first in Eau Claire for several years, and then with the New York City School System until she retired nearly 35 years later. She was a brilliant conversationalist with a vast intellect, especially in literature and history. She had fervent views regarding political ideology, the rights of minorities and the place of women in history. She participated in early civil rights marches on Washington and in the South. She was well traveled, having made trips to England, Russia, Eastern Europe, China, Israel, India, Africa and South America. She moved to Milwaukee in 2001, where she spent the last five years of her life near family, in particular her niece, Eve Dicker Eiseman. She will be greatly missed by her friends and family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Tilly and Meyer Nathenson; and by her sisters, Rose Rabinovitz and Hilda Barash. She is survived by her nieces, Eve Dicker Eiseman and Miriam Rabinovitz; her nephew, Harvey Barash, as well as many great nieces, great nephews and their children. She penned her own epitaph, "I came to know the word, and it burns deep within me." Funeral services will be held on Sunday, April 30, 2006, at 11 a.m. at FOREST HILL CEMETERY with Rabbi Kenneth Katz officiating. Memorials may be made to Beth Israel Center Abraham Barash Fund for Handicapped Services, 1406 Mound St., Madison, WI 53711, or to Vitas Hospice Foundation, 2675 N. Mayfair Road, Suite No. 500, Milwaukee, WI, 53226. Cress Funeral & Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 29, 2006

Note: Rebecca Nathenson was on of the students featured in a 1928 Tychoberahn feature about Madison Central High School's diverse student body. You may read about "Versatile Central" and view a group photograph that includes Nathenson by clicking HERE.

Obituary: James Kimberley

MADISON - James Kimberley, age 69, passed away on Sunday, April 9, 2006, at his home, surrounded by his family. James was born on Sept. 12, 1936, in Madison, the son of Coral and Elizabeth (Juris) Kimberley. James graduated from Central High School and served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War from 1954-1957. James married Faye Scalf on April 20, 1957, in Indianapolis, Ind. James enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing bingo, bowling and softball. He retired from Madison United Hospital Laundry in 1998. Survivors include his wife, Faye of Madison; four children, Patty (Jeff) Marks of Madison, Terry Kimberley of Madison, Michael (Sheryl) Kimberley of Smithville, Va., and Jamie (Rhonda) Kimberley of Poynette; five grandchildren, Shamus Wilson, Jay and Heather Kimberley, Stephanie White and Erica Randall; and seven great-grandchildren, Leah White, Devon White, Tucker White, Justin White, Sebastien Jordan, Valin Randall and Ema Randall. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, David Kimberley, in 1979; and two brothers, Arthur and Warren Kimberley. Funeral services will take place at the RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 2418 N. Sherman Ave., Madison, on Wednesday, April 12, 2006, at 11 a.m. A visitation will also take place at the funeral home on Tuesday, April 11, 2006, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., and one hour prior to the funeral service. The Rev. Bob Groth will officiate. Burial will conclude with military services at the Roselawn Memorial Park. Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services 2418 N. Sherman Ave. (608) 249-8257

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 11, 2006

Obituary Gerald P. Fruth - Class of 1945

MADISON - Gerald P. Fruth, age 78, of Madison, died on Friday, April 7, 2006, at home, after a long illness, surrounded by his family. He was born on Nov. 2, 1927, in Madison, the son of Joseph Fruth and Irene (Harrington) Fruth. He attended St. Raphael's Elementary School, Central High School and graduated from UW-Madison in 1951. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He retired from the housekeeping department of UW-Madison in 1993. He was a member of St. James Catholic Church. He is survived by his wife, Beverly (Bannister) Fruth; his five children, Marilyn (Lee Konrad) Fruth and their daughters, Adriana and Michaela; Susan Fruth; Mark Fruth, all of Madison; Margaret (James G. Marshall III) Fruth-Marshall of Holt, Mich. and their daughters, Alyssa and Natalie; and Kathleen (Danny) Viernes of Kauai, Hawaii and their children, Kaitlin, Kendra and Kian; his brother, Marvin (Beatrice) Fruth; and his two sisters, Josephine (Dennis) Rodgerson and Gail (Richard) Bugdanow; brother-in-law, Roy (Joyce) Bannister; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Verna (Holzbower) Fruth; sister-in-law, Helen (Harold) Anderson; and his son, John Jay Fruth. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. JAMES CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1134 St. James Court, Madison, on Tuesday, April 11, 2006, at 1 p.m. Monsignor Tom Baxter will officiate with inurnment in Resurrection Cemetery. Friends may call after noon at the church on Tuesday, until the service time. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to HospiceCare Inc. 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711. A special thanks to the staff member of HospiceCare who assisted us in Jerry's care during his final days. Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services 5701 Odana Road (608) 274-1000

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 10, 2006

Obituary: Dwain "Dick" Helleckson - Class of 1942

MADISON - Dwain "Dick" Helleckson, age 81, died on Thursday, March 30, 2006, at St. Marys Hospital. He was born on April 16, 1924, in Madison, to Theodore and Lillie (Bilse) Helleckson. Dick attended Lincoln Elementary School and graduated from Central High School in 1942. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 until 1945 as a C.M.M.M. on the U.S.S. Coffman during World War II. Dick married Ruth Rasmussen on June 25, 1944. He owned Helleckson's Service Station and Helleckson's Liquor. Dick later became a supervisor of the Dane County Parking Ramp, from which he retired. He was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church and an usher for more than 50 years, and a life member of VFW Post No. 1318. Dick is survived by his wife, Ruth; three children, Linda (Thomas) Junck, Cindy (Robert) Schumacher and Rick (Deborah) Helleckson; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sisters, Laurene Meyer and Ruby Hubbard; sisters-in-law, Angie Helleckson, Katie Helleckson and Eileen (Phil) Falkenborg; and a brother-in-law, Gordon (Audrey) Rasmussen. He was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Cami Lynn Junck; and three brothers, Palmer, Carmen (Clara) and Burnette. Funeral services will be held at the GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 4, 2006, with the Rev. Mary Pharmer presiding. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mark's Lutheran Church Building Fund, 605 Spruce St., Madison, WI 53715. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 2, 2006