Obituary: Margo Lane Cuccia - Class of 1961

WEST ALLIS/ MADISON - Margo Lane Cuccia, age 64, of West Allis, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007, at West Allis Memorial Hospital. She was born on March 24, 1943, in Madison, the daughter of Anthony Theodore and Gerda Harriet (Anderson) Cuccia. Margo graduated from Central High School. She worked at Miller Brewing Co. for 35 years. Margo loved reading books, completing word puzzles and playing bingo. She especially enjoyed taking trips to Las Vegas, faithfully visiting twice a year. Margo enjoyed collecting coins. She had a very loving, caring, and generous spirit. Margo is survived by her aunt, Barbara O'Dell; a "brother-in-law," James "Jim" Cox; her niece, Theresa Cuccia-Dillard and husband, Jerome Dillard, whom she treated and loved as her own children; her devoted dog, Fluffy; and many other extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Thomas Anthony Cuccia; her sister, Georgina Frances Cuccia; and "sister," Beverly "Bev" Cox. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007, at 10:30 a.m., with the Rev. Alexander Gee Jr. officiating. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 27, 2007

Note: Margo Lane Cuccia's class year is based on information in the 1961 Tychoberahn, where she is pictured among the members of the senior class.

Obituary: Jeanne O. (Eifert) Hegerich - Class of 1944

MADISON - Jeanne O. Hegerich, age 81, of Madison, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007, as a result of an automobile accident. She was born on April 1, 1926 in Montfort, the daughter of Roy and Maxine (Doran) Eifert. Jeanne graduated from Central High School in 1944. She married John J. Hegerich on Sept. 24, 1948. She worked for many years as L.P.N. and then as a nursing home administrator. Jeanne was active with the American Legion Auxiliary and was a member of the Red Hatters Society. She also volunteered with the Madison Recreation Department and enjoyed helping with the pontoon boats. Jeanne is survived by a daughter, Joy (David) Sather; two grandsons, Andrew (Joanne) Sather and Kevin (Heather) Sather; a step-son, Cy Hegerich; a step-daughter, Carolyn (Don) Pritzl; and a nephew, Troy Russell. She was preceded in death by her husband, John; parents; and sister, Phyllis Meicher. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007, at 11 a.m. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Wednesday, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 23, 2007

Obituary: Ruben A. Faust - Class of 1936

MADISON/ VERONA - Ruben A. Faust, age 89, died on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007, at Four Winds Manor in Verona. He was born on Feb. 27, 1918, in Madison, to Arnold and Fanny (Petersile) Faust. Ruben graduated from Central High School in Madison, in 1936. He served as a medic in the U.S. Air Force during World War II and was stationed in Duxford, England. In January 1947, Ruben was united in marriage to Virginia Schmelzer. For 25 years, he worked for A and P Company and later retired from Sentry Foods. He was a member of the Madison Elks Lodge No. 410. Hobbies included, golf, woodworking, with which he had many creative projects and playing euchre with his friends. Ruben is survived by his son, Donald (Audrey) Faust; grandchildren, Lauren and Natalie Faust; sister, Anita Eley; sister-in-law, Audrey Johnson and brother-in-law, Scott Capener. He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia; son, Daniel Faust; daughter, Patricia Capener Faust; brother, Neil Faust; and dear friend, Orpha. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007, at the Madison Elks Club, 711 Jenifer St., from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Memorials are appreciated to American Diabetes Association. Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 20, 2007

Obituary: Arthur "Art" Harrington - Class of 1939

MADISON - Arthur "Art" Harrington, age 85, of Madison, passed away on Friday, Dec. 14, 2007, at his home. He was born on Jan. 3, 1922, in Madison, the son of Arthur Edward and Anna Harrington. Art attended St. Raphael's Catholic School and graduated from Central High School. After graduation he attended UW-Madison until he was drafted by the U.S. Army to serve at the Pentagon in World War II. Art worked at Rayovac as a regional credit manager for more than 40 years. He was an avid golfer and achieved hole-in-one, four times. Art was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. He is survived by his wife, Lorraine (Mittelstaedt); and a grand-daughter, Laura Harrington of Madison. Art was preceded in death by his parents; and his son, Tim. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 10 a.m., on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007, with Father John Meinholz presiding. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m., on Monday, Dec. 17, 2007. May you always walk in sunshine and God's love around you flow; for the happiness you gave us, no one will ever know. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone; a part of us went with you the day God called you home. A million times we've needed you, a million times we've cried. If love could only have saved you, you never would have died. Traditional Irish blessing.Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

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

Note: Arthur Harrington's class year is based on a list of 1939 Madison Central High School graduates published in The Capital Times on June 16, 1939.

Obituary: Arlene L. (Williams) Miller

MADISON - Arlene L. Miller, age 92, passed away on Saturday morning, Dec. 8, 2007, at St. Mary's Hospital. She was born on Sept. 23, 1915, in St. Paul, Minn., to Roy and Carrie Williams. She came with her family to live in Madison as a teen. She graduated from Central High School, worked as a clerk for United States Arm Force Institute and became an Electrocardiograph Technician at the V.A. Hospital in Madison. She was the last living founder of the Blessed Martin House, now the St. Martin House on Beld Street. She taught sewing there for many years and was the director for a number of years. In November., 2004 she was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award. On May 28, 1998 in recognition of faithful service to the people of the community she was presented a Volunteer Award from the Madison Urban Ministry. She is survived by her three sons, Richard, Gerald (June), and Tom (Carol); six grandchildren; and her 10 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, William; her brother, Richard Williams; and her sister, Loraine Gothard. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at HOLY REDEEMER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 120 W. Johnson St., Madison, on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007, at 10:30 a.m. Msgr. Kevin Holmes will officiate with burial in Resurrection Cemetery. Friends and relatives may call from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the JOYCE-RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 5701 Odana Road, on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007, and also at the church after 9:30 a.m. on Thursday until the time of services. Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home and Cremation Services 5701 Odana Road (608) 274-1000

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 10, 2007

Obituary: Caryl E. (Jaquish) Vigdahl - Class of 1935

TOMAH - Caryl E. Vigdahl quietly slipped away on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007, at age 90, at the Veteran's Hospital in Tomah. Caryl was born April 7, 1917, in Madison, to Jerome and Sophia (Grunert) Jaquish. Caryl attended Harvey Grade School and Madison Central High School, graduating in 1935. Caryl worked in Madison as a telephone operator for Bell Telephone Company until age 25, at which time she entered St. Mary's Hospital School of Nursing under a military program during World War II. After completing nurses training, she furthered her field in public health at the University of Minnesota. She became the Public Health Nurse for Vernon County, residing in Viroqua, where she met and married M. Hartwick Vigdahl, in 1950. Caryl continued her public health nursing until the death of Hartwick in 1954. After Hartwick's death, she enlisted in the Navy Nurse Corps Reserve and was on active duty for the next 20 years. Caryl served during the Korean and Vietnam wars in Japan, the Philippines and Puerto Rico, finishing her career at the Great Lakes Naval Base. Caryl was honorably discharged with the rank of lieutenant commander in 1975. Caryl returned to Madison and resided in her childhood home until 1995. She then resided in two assisted living homes, Wynfield and Girlie's Manor. In 2000, Caryl entered the Tomah Veteran's Hospital, where she received loving care from the devoted staff of doctors, nurses and aides. Caryl is survived by her niece, Jackie (Bill) Wilker and their four children and their spouses, Diane and Bob Blake, Bill and Mary Beth, Joel and Shelley and Susanne and Brian Bilstad. She is further survived by seven great-grand nephews, Michael, Ryan and Kevin Wilker, Grant, Brady and Tanner Bilstad and Jordan Blake; and a great grand niece, Molly Blake. Caryl was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Hartwick; sister, Dorothy Jaquish; brother and sister-in-law, Jerome and Marion (Gilbert) Jaquish and her sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and William Musil. Graveside and military services will be held in April 2008, in Viroqua. Jackie and Bill are very grateful for the loving, special care Caryl received in her declining years of dementia.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 9, 2007

Obituary: Donald J. Diederich - Class of 1943

MADISON - Donald J. Diederich, age 82 died on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007, at St. Mary's Hospital. He was born on July 16, 1925 in Madison, the son of Isadore and Gertrude (Bischel) Diederich. Don graduated from Madison Central High School in 1943. He enlisted in the Navy and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander and served in Japan. After World War II, Don was discharged and joined the reserves. He continued to be with the Naval Reserves, amounting to 31 years of service. At the same time he graduated from the University of Notre Dame and then from the University of Michigan with an M.B.A. He began work in Milwaukee with Wisconsin Bell Telephone, and there he met his future wife. They were married on Oct. 28, 1950 in Milwaukee. He also worked for Continental Can Co. and then later for the Wehr Steel Company. Don had always wanted to return to Madison, so they moved back in 1963 where he continued his career at Graber, USAFI and the VA Hospital. Don enjoyed golfing, fishing and traveling with the whole family. Holidays with family and friends were cherished by Don and he always remained in touch with his Navy roots. He was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church since 1988, life member of the Reserve Officers Association, M.O.A. and Madison Elks Club. He was a lifelong blood donor with the Red Cross. Survivors include, his wife, the former, Jeanette Ruehle of Madison; one daughter, Linda (Jim) Sebree of Cross Plains; one son, William Diederich of Madison; two granddaughters, Erica (special friend, Tony Megna) of Ft. Wayne Ind. and Lisa (special friend, Nick Williams) of Milwaukee; a sister, Mary Suchomel of Burlington; one brother, William (Gloria) Diederich of Santa Ana, Calif.; a sister-in-law, Donna Diederich of Utah; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Charles; and a brother-in-law, Al Suchomel. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 405 S. Owen Drive, Madison, on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007, at 12:30 p.m. Msgr. Ken Fiedler will officiate. Friends and relatives may call after 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Lady Queen of Peace Foundation or the American Heart Association. A special thank you to the Madison Fire and Police Departments for their assistance.
Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home and Cremation Services 5701 Odana Road (608) 274-1000

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 9, 2007

Obituary: Winifred Frieda Hertha Berndt Muenkel

MCFARLAND - Winifred Frieda Hertha Berndt Muenkel was born Oct. 1, 1916, in Chicago to Katherine and Bruno Berndt. Her family moved first to Madison, then McFarland, where she took the train daily to attend Madison Central High School. Later she studied at Madison Business College and qualified as a secretary, stenographer and court reporter before working for the State of Wisconsin. At college she met her future husband Harold. They corresponded while he served overseas during World War II. They married on Oct. 26, 1946. Harold passed away in July 2006 after nearly 60 years of marriage. Winnie and Harold are survived by four children, Nancy (James) Crossfield, Marguerite (Richard) Zumbehl, Fred (Mary Jo) Muenkel and Paul Muenkel; and by seven beloved grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Winnie was a longtime member of the Madison Women's Club, McFarland Lutheran Church, several card clubs and participated in activities at McFarland's Senior Center museum. She was an avid reader and supporter of the local public library and instilled a love of reading, nature and travel in her children. She took her children on many camping trips when they were young, and later enjoyed watching birds and wildlife from her home on the Yahara River before moving to Harmony Living Center. Winnie was a funny and perceptive correspondent who still regularly e-mailed family members across the country and overseas at the age of 91. She died Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007, after a short illness. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, at the MCFARLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5529 Marsh Road, followed by a luncheon. Private burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park for family members. Visitation will be held at church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. The family would like to thank the physicians, nurses and staff of St. Mary's Hospital for their compassionate care.
Olson-Holzhuter-Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 5801 Highway 51 McFarland (608) 838-0655