Obituary: Karen L. (Larson) Johnson - Class of 1961

GAINESVILLE, FLA.- Karen L. Johnson, age 66, died Saturday, April 11, 2009, at Shands Hospital. She was born in Madison on Dec. 25, 1942. She moved to Florida in 1982 and has been working as a patient representative at Shands Hospital in Gainesville since 1990. Karen is survived by her daughter, Kelly Johnson of Naperville, Ill.; her son, Eric Johnson of Argyle; three grandchildren, Hagen, Nora and Sydney of Naperville, Ill.; and her two brothers, John Larson and Charles Larson both of Madison. She was preceded in death by her parents, Myrtle and Virgil Larson; her sister, Judy; and her brother, Terry. A memorial service will be held at noon on Monday, April 27, 2009, at the VILLAGE PARK in Browntown. If inclement weather, the service will be at the United Church of Christ in Browntown. In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to make a donation in Karen's name to the Heifer Project or charity of their choice.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 26, 2009; submitted by Sandra Sabroff Weber (Class of 1961)

Obituary: Dolores Jean Caire Gavin - Class of 1955

MAPLE GROVE, MINN./MADISON - Dolores Jean Caire Gavin age 71, of Maple Grove, Minn., and formerly of Madison, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at Maranatha Care Center, Brooklyn Park, after a valiant six year battle with breast cancer. She was born on Aug. 29, 1937, to Edgar Pierce and Mary Beulah Caire in Madison, where she lived until relocating to Maple Grove, Minn., in 2002. She was the eldest of the four "Caire Girls": Dolores, Corinne, Marie "Patsy" and Gretchen. She was a graduate of Central High School (Class of 1955) and Madison Business College (1957). She is survived by and was married, for 50 joyous years, to Maurice B. Gavin Sr. of Mobile, Alabama. From this union came four children, Maurice II (Tamara), Pastor Aaron Gavin (Paula), Amelia (Josh) and Colin (Kris); 13 beloved grandchildren; and her sisters, Marie (Patsy) Thomas and Gretchen Caire. She also leaves behind many extended loved ones from the Thomas, Lunnon, Gavin, Pierce, Karaway, McWatters, Padgett, Muhlfelder, and Briscoe families and Ghanaian children, Seth and Tina. She was committed to her prayer partners at Living Word Christian Center and credited the church's prayer groups with helping her "beat the odds" as long as she did. She was predeceased by her father, Edgar Pierce; her mother, Mary Beulah; and her sister, Corinne. A memorial service for family and friends will be held later this summer in Madison. For more information, please call or email Maurice Gavin II, (763) 219-1400 or maux@mauricegavin.com.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 12, 2009

Obituary: Nancy Hibma Kreklow - Class of 1966

FITCHBURG - Nancy Hibma Kreklow, age 61 years young, left this earth on her own terms on Tuesday, March 31, 2009. Nancy was the daughter of Dr. Otto (Barbara Stortz) Hibma. She is survived by her husband, Richard and long awaited daughter, Courtney and the newest love of her life, granddaughter, Milani. Nancy is also survived by her brother, Richard (Colleen) Hibma. Misses H-K, as she was called by her students, was a master's degree special education teacher for 12 years in the Madison school district, Velma Hamilton and Cherokee Middle Schools, where she enjoyed her students more than the paperwork. In the following years, Nan nurtured and fed her artistic talents in art metal and painting on stone. Her creations reflected a love of nature, animals and the beach. She also excelled in designing her own gold jewelry, wearing her "armor" with gusto and pride. She will also be missed by "the girls," her pets, Greta, Dakota and Pumpkin whose love for each other was unconditional. In respecting Nan's wishes for no memorial service, she would rather have her friends to: enjoy a warm, sunny day; take a nature walk in the park; walk with your pets; read a poem, better yet, write one; exercise; watch a sunrise; learn something new; enjoy the beauty of art; or play with your kids. Nan reflected on her art work saying that, "I believe in the quality of life and living everyday to the fullest. And that is what I hope my art work displays - life." There will be a Celebration of Life for Nancy on Friday, April 3, 2009, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at CRESS FUNERAL SERVICE, 6021 University Ave., Madison. Memorials may be made to the Dane County Humane Society.Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 6021 University Ave. (608) 238-8406

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 2, 2009.

Note: Nancy Hibma's class year is based on information in the 1965 Tychoberahn, where her photograph is included among those of the junior class.