Obituary: Alice Martha (Kaiser) Thaden

LODI - Alice Martha (Kaiser) Thaden passed away on Friday, Oct. 31, 2008, at the age of 85. She was born on Dec. 22, 1922, in Switzerland and emigrated to Oklahoma as a young child with her family. Her singing talents were well known in Oklahoma, as she and her sister, Clara, sang for a local radio station. After moving to Wisconsin, Alice met Elmer W. Thaden at Central High School in Madison and they were later married on Oct. 17, 1942. They spent most of their married life on a horse farm in Cottage Grove, and were well known for their horse boarding facility. Alice loved and was a strong advocate for all her animals. Alice's beautiful soprano voice was shared with many at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, where she directed the choir for many years. She was also a past member of the Madison Philharmonic Choir. Her many jobs included working at Sears, for the Boy Scouts of America, and as a cook for Gaston School and the UW Sorority and Fraternity Houses. Her lemon meringue pie could never be beat and will be greatly missed. Alice is survived by her husband, Elmer of Lodi; daughter, Penny (Jerry) Takier of California; son, Michael (Tracy) Thaden of Lodi; grandchildren, Chris Takier of California, and Tony and Ricky Thaden of Lodi; great-grandchildren, Rebecca and Ryan Takier of California; a sister, Clara (Spencer) Erickson of Pardeeville; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Ricky Takier; sister, Ruth Norwood; nephew, Tom Young; and all of her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008, at 2 p.m. A private burial has already taken place at Roselawn Memorial Park. The family requests no flowers. Donations in her memory can be made to Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church in Cottage Grove. Condolences may be sent to Elmer Thaden, 600 Clark St., Lodi, WI 53555. Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on November 9, 2008