Obituary: Charmayne (Robbins) Brown

WAUNAKEE - Charmayne Brown, age 78, passed away unexpectedly from a stroke on Friday, April 27, 2007. She was born on July 1, 1928, in Waukesha, the daughter of Alice Oehler-Jones and Delmier Robbins. Charmayne grew up in Waupun and later moved to Madison. She graduated from Central High School with her future husband, Brad. They were married on May 24, 1947, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison and were happily and lovingly married for just under 60 years. Charmayne was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother. Survivors include her husband, Brad Brown of Waunakee; two daughters, Barbara Keating of Madison and Betsy Brown (Wendy Williams) of Flagstaff, Ariz.; two grandchildren, Genna (Craig) Roller and Steven Keating; and five great-grandchildren, Jory Keating, Misty, Alizabeth, Samantha and Tabitha Roller. Charmayne's life was enhanced by her two pets Shih Tzus, Pookie and Debbie. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Augusta and Albin Oehler; her mother, Alice; and father, Delmier. Memorial services will be held at the GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL HOME, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, on Thursday, May 3, 2007, at 1 p.m. Inurnment will be in Sunset Memory Gardens. A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday from 11 a.m. until time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dane County Humane Society or a Charity of one's choice. Gunderson West Funeral and Cremation Centers 7435 University Ave.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 30, 2007

Kay (Chechik) Ansfield - Class of 1925

Ansfield, Kay - Died April 11, 2007 at the age of 99. She resided in Hollywood, FL since 1978. Born in Russia, she moved to Madison, WI where she graduated from Central High School in 1925 and received a BS degree in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin in 1929. After her marriage to Dr. David J. Ansfield in 1930, Kay resided in Milwaukee, WI where she became active in Hadassah (served as president), affiliated with ORT, Council for Jewish Women, Sisterhood of Temple Emanuel B'ne Jeshurun and became active with the youth group at the Temple. Kay was preceded in death by her husband Dr. David J. Ansfield in 1991. She leaves behind her son Dr. Paul (Sandy) Ansfield of Oshkosh; daughter Miriam Ansfield, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Services were held in Hollywood, FL.

Originally published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on April 29, 2007

Note: Kay is listed as Kathyrn in the Tychoberan and other Central records.

Obituary: Marie M. (Duffey) Esser - Class of 1931

MADISON - Marie M. Esser, age 94, died on Thursday, April 26, 2007, at HospiceCare, after a short illness. She was born on July 27, 1912, in Highland, the daughter of John J. and Mary (Wall) Duffey. She married James Esser on Sept. 7, 1938, at St. Raphael's Cathedral and he preceded her in death on March 27, 1997. Marie moved from Highland when she was in sixth grade, attended St. Raphael's Grade School and graduated from Central High School in 1931. She then went to Stemp Business School and retired from the State Medical Society. She also enjoyed the fashion world and had been employed by many Madison department stores. She was a member of the Catholic Women's Club, President of the Rosary Altar Society at Blessed Sacrament Parish, Madison and was a member of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Catholic Church, Sun Prairie. Survivors include her son, Gerald (Deanna) Esser of Madison; three grandchildren, Steve (Heidi) Miller of Denver, Colo., Michael Miller of Appleton and Marianne (Jon) Baer of Milwaukee; five great-grandchildren, Alexis, Cole and Connor Miller, Kyle Miller and Nathan Baer; a former son-in-law, Thomas P. Miller; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James; a daughter, Mary Kay Miller; a sister, Margaret Rohr; and three brothers, C.J. Duffey, Ed Duffey and John Duffey. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at SACRED HEARTS OF JESUS AND MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 221 Columbus St., Sun Prairie, on Wednesday, May 2, 2007. Father Michael Radowicz will officiate with entombment in Resurrection Cemetery. Friends and relatives may call at the JOYCE-RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 5701 Odana Road, on Tuesday, May 1, 2007, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., where a rosary service will be held at 7 p.m. Friends and relatives may also call at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Memorials may be made to the Mary Kay Miller Scholarship Fund, Apostolate to the Handicapped or HospiceCare Inc. Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home and Cremation Services 5701 Odana Road (608) 274-1000

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 29, 2007

Obituary: Helene M. (Abel) Hozeny - Class of 1928

MADISON - Helene M. Hozeny died Wednesday, April 25, 2007, at Alterra Clare Bridge House after a short illness. She was born in Madison, Sept. 16, 1910, to Joseph and Crescence (Grimm) Abel and lived most of her life in that community. Helene graduated from Central High School. She was an accomplished violinist who won many state and regional prizes during the 1920s and 1930s. She also enjoyed playing the piano, singing, walking, reading and long automobile rides with her husband. She was known for her sly wit, quick mind and extraordinary energy. Helene was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was an alto mainstay of the Blessed Sacrament Church Choir for many years. Helene particularly enjoyed holiday gatherings with her whole family present. In her working life, Helene was a stenographer at the state Department of Transportation and an executive secretary at the UW-School of Nursing before retiring in 1976. She married Walter J. Hozeny, June 21, 1945. Their marriage was truly a loving partnership until his death in 2002. Surviving are her son, Tony (Joanne Cullen) Hozeny and daughter, Betsy (Pat) Ryan, both of Madison; grandchildren, Jesse Hozeny, Abigail Ryan, Brigid Ryan, Katy Ryan, Caitlin Hozeny and Frankie Hozeny; sister, Eleanor Jensen of Belleville; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and sisters, Elsie Daniels, Marie Einberger, Devota Baudler, Regina Schrodt and Amanda Dieter. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 28, 2007, at BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLICH CHURCH, 2115 Rowley Ave., Madison, with a visitation at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the HospiceCare Foundation Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711. Please do not send flowers. Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 26, 2007

Note: Helene M. Abel's graduation class year is based on information in the 1927 Tychoberahn which lists her as a member of the 11A - June Class of 1928.

Obituary: Marion H. (Krueger) Schwengel - Class of 1938

MADISON - Marion H. Schwengel, age 86, passed away on Saturday, April 14, 2007, at St. Mary's Care Center after a long illness. She was born on Dec. 14, 1920, in Reedsburg, the daughter of Herman and Ella (Wischhoff) Krueger. Marion was united in marriage to Clarence Schwengel on Oct. 19, 1941, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Madison. Mrs. Schwengel has been a resident of Madison since 1926. She was a lifelong member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Madison. Marion graduated from Madison Central High School, a member of the Class of 1938. She was a talented homemaker staying at home raising her sons. Many area brides have Marion to thank for making their wedding dresses. She loved to work with her hands, sewing, knitting and making quilts. After her sons left home she was employed at Woldenberg's Women's Apparel and the Phillips Company as a sales clerk. Marion will be missed by her beloved family including her husband, Clarence of Madison; her sons, C. Bruce (Judi) Schwengel of Lodi and Paul (Paulette) Schwengel of Jackson Port; granddaughters, Michelle (Dr. Peary) Ragala of Hawaii and Erika (John) Skarda of Lodi; numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Paul, Donald and Harold; and sister, Selma. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 18, 2007, at 11 a.m. at ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 322 E. Washington Ave., Madison with the Reverend Ken Smith officiating. Burial will be held in Sunset Memory Gardens in Madison. Friends are invited to call on Wednesday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials to St. John's Lutheran Church would be appreciated. Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 3325 E. Washington Ave (608) 249-6666

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 16, 2007

Obituary: Steve F. Varese

MADISON - Steve F. Varese, age 87, died on Tuesday, April 3, 2007, at HospiceCare. Steve was born on June 11, 1919, in Madison, the son of Italian immigrants, Joseph and Sara (Caravello) Veresi. He grew up in Madison's Greenbush neighborhood, graduating from Central High School. On June 6, 1942, Steve married his lifelong partner, Alice Karls of Dane. They had two sons, Joseph and Scott. Steve was employed for 25 years as a trainman and conductor with the Milwaukee Road. In 1956, he and his wife opened Steve's Liquor Store at 3618 University Ave. by converting the family living room into a storefront. The business grew and he later opened a second store on Mineral Point Road. Both stores continue to thrive today as a family business, much to his satisfaction. Throughout his career in business, he was known for his friendly, welcoming smile, his warm regard for customers and the Tootsie Rolls he handed out to their children. Inside the family, we knew a more quiet man who loved and cared about his family. For many years after his retirement, he could be found chatting with his buddies at Hilldale Mall. He also enjoyed his cigars, fishing and solitary moments at his cabin north of Madison, where Jim Beam was no stranger. Among his most treasured memories was his trip to Sicily where he visited relatives from the old country. He was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church and the Knights of Columbus. Steve is survived by his loving and caring wife of 65 years, Alice; his sons, Joseph (Mary) of Madison, and Scott (Kathy Atkins) of Cross Plains; his grandchildren, Katie (Wayne) Crokus, James, Emily, Dane, Leilani, Cody and Sean; and his sisters, Frances Bordson and Conchera "Bea" Troia, both of Madison. He was preceded in death by his parents; his twin brothers, Jerry and Jim who died in infancy; brothers, Sam and Joseph; sister, Mary Di Piazza; and a brother and sister, Russel and Martha, who also died in infancy. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 10, 2007, at ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 602 Everglade Drive, Madison with Monsignor Donald J. Heiar officiating. A visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, April 9, 2007, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, and also from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church on Tuesday. In later years, Steve was forced into a five-year battle with Alzheimer's, requiring extensive care and hospitalization. We, the family, are keenly aware and deeply appreciate the special attention and many acts of kindness he received from dedicated staff while a resident at Oakwood Village, the Stoughton Hospital Geriatric Unit, Oak Park Place and HospiceCare. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to HospiceCare or the Alzheimer's Association would be appreciated. Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 5, 2007