Obituary: Leta Mae (Bradley) Kelsey

MADISON - Leta Mae Kelsey, age 93, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009, at the HospiceCare Center. She was born on April 20, 1915, in Wonewoc, the daughter of Walter and Hulda (Stanley) Bradley. Leta graduated from Madison Central High School. She married Dwight Kelsey on June 21, 1937, in Belvidere, Ill. Leta worked at Rayovac for more than 35 years, retiring in 1977. She was a member of Sun Prairie Colonial Club. Leta enjoyed gardening, cooking, refinishing furniture and spending time with her family. She lived the last three years at Sienna Crest in Marshall. Leta is survived by her children, Alan (Margaret) Kelsey of Waterloo, Sharon (Joseph) Fisher of Florida and Martha Bazan of Madison; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; a nephew, Eugene Kehl of Madison; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dwight in 2002; her parents; two sisters, Ruby Dodge and Zona Stortieg; and stepson, Donald "Sandy" Kelsey. A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009. Visitation will be at the funeral home from noon until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Salvation Army or Valton Cemetery Association. A special thank you to HospiceCare for the care they gave Leta. Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 23, 2009

Obituary: Richard "Dick" Stephan Stoffels - Class of 1961

MADISON - Richard "Dick" Stephan Stoffels, age 65, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009, at HospiceCare, of a glioblastoma brain tumor. He was born on Aug. 6, 1943, in Madison, the only son of Franklin and Florence (Caravello) Stoffels. Dick graduated from Madison Central High School in 1961. He was a Madison city letter carrier, served two years in the U.S. Army and spent the rest of his working career as a city letter carrier in Madison, retiring in 1999 after 35 years of service. He was an avid fisherman and sports fan. Dick especially loved watching his own children and his grandsons "the boys" participate in their sporting activities. Dick is survived by his three children, Frank Stoffels of Middleton, Roxanne (Harrison) Stoffels-Panter of Monroe, Ga., and Rich (Mary) Stoffels of Waunakee; and three grandsons, Caden and Tegan Panter of Monroe, Ga., and Zachary Stoffels of Waunakee. He is further survived by four sisters, Geraldine Slattery of Madison, Mary (Michael) Furcht of Miami, Fla., Theresa (John) Both of Madison, and Kathy (Jeff) Pollei of Verona; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents. We invite family and friends to a Celebration of Dick's life on Friday, Jan. 23, 2009, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 6021 University Ave. There will be a private service for family officiated by Deacon David Nolan at another time. The family would like to acknowledge with a special "thank you" to the following: Mary Ann Dailey, Theresa Both, Kathy Pollei, Sherrie (Chris) Saunders, Bob Vohs, Gerry Vohs, VA and St. Mary's Hospitals, Home Health United, Senior Helpers (Lori) and HospiceCare. We are additionally grateful to family and friends who provided support and stopped in for a visit. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to HospiceCare Inc. Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 6021 University Ave. (608) 238-8406

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 21, 2009

Obituary: Anne M. (Baumgartner) Behrnd

MADISON - Anne M. Behrnd, age 92, passed away at Oakwood Village West on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009. Anne was born in Madison on June 18, 1916, to the late Mathew and Anna Maria (Menzi) Baumgartner. She attended Franklin School in south Madison and graduated from Central High School. She later worked at Forest Products Laboratory and Manchester's department store. Above all, Anne was devoted to her large and extended family. She spent many years caring for her elderly parents, a small niece, and, later, for her own family. Anne loved to prepare the delicious Swiss foods that she had learned from her mother. She was known for her wonderful baking, cooking, and cake decorating, especially at holidays and for special occasions, but also as "Mrs. Good Cook," the Mom who always sent cookies to her daughter's grade school. She loved shopping, attending auctions and estate sales, collecting old furniture to be refinished and restored, and searching for a really good bargain. She was proud of her Swiss heritage, spoke the language, and particularly enjoyed trips to Switzerland where she met cousins and other relatives and saw her family's home. She spent many happy hours with her sisters, sewing, drinking coffee, talking, and laughing together. She is survived by her husband, Henry; her daughter, Menzi; and son-in-law, Gerald. Anne also is survived by many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; six sisters, Euphemia Lengacher, Bertha (Betty) Leverentz, Lillian Scheel, Leona Dale, Hildegarde Baumgartner, Gladys Stanley, and Frances (Franz) Bulovsky; and six brothers, John, Walter, Walter Jacob, Mathew, and John Henry. The family is grateful to the nursing staff at Hebron Hall, Oakwood, for their gentle care and many kindnesses. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the Oakwood Foundation or to a charity of the donor's choice. A memorial service will be held at a later date.Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 19, 2009

Obituary: Gladys Mae (Newberry) Randall - Class of 1934

MADISON - Gladys Mae Randall, age 92, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, Jan. 2, 2009. She was born on March 15, 1916, in Kenosha, the daughter of Harry and Rose (Stuart) Newberry. Gladys left Kenosha in 1933 and moved to Madison. She attended and graduated from Central High School in 1934. On Nov. 7, 1936, Gladys was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Walter E. Randall, a former captain of the Madison Police Department. He preceded Gladys in death in 1977. Gladys worked for Piper's Cafeteria until 1940. She then decided to stay at home with her children. She was a devout member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Gladys enjoyed traveling, reading, crocheting, knitting and sewing. Most of all she loved spending time with her family. Gladys is survived by her four children, Kathleen (Daniel) Frisch of Cross Plains, Jean (Chris) Ripp of Park Falls, Judy (Gerald) Frisch of Madison and Michael (Lorraine) Randall of Madison; 11 grandchildren, Patrick (Margit) Frisch of Stoughton, Brian (Denise) Frisch of Madison, Theresa (Scott) Schnabel of Oregon, Jacqueline (Duane) Statz of DeForest, Paula Ripp of Tempe, Ariz., Tara Ripp of Cross Plains, Ann (Todd) Carlson of New Glarus, Lori Frisch of Madison, Dale (Vanessa) Frisch of Cottage Grove, Minn., Jenny (Jeremy) Nichols of Milwaukee and Jessica Randall of Madison; 13 great-grandchildren; three step great-grandchildren; dear cousins, nieces, and nephews; and friends at Oakwood Village West. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Walter; grandson, Kyle Hachmeister; brothers, Harry (Betty) Newberry, Paul "Ty" (Norma) Newberry and Raymond (Evelyn) Newberry; two infant brothers; and a sister, Eleanor Ruth (Algot) Larson. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan., 5, 2009, at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 401 S. Owen Dr., Madison. Msgr. Kenneth Fiedler will officiate the Mass. A visitation will be held on Monday, Jan. 5, 2009, at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass. Burial will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Madison. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Oakwood Village West, 6175 Mineral Point Rd., Madison, WI 53705. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Oak Wood Village West for the excellent care they provided during Gladys' time with them.Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home and Cremation Services 5701 Odana Road (608) 274-1000

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 4, 2009