Obituary: Alan N. Sherman

MADISON - Allan N. Sherman, age 78, passed away peacefully on October 23, 2009, at home. He was born on March 18, 1931, in Bloomer, the son of Torvald and Sigrid (Helgesen) Sherman. He was united in marriage to Jeanette (Jan) Boehnen, on January 20, 1951. He was a graduate of Madison Central High School, and was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church. Al was a member of the Wisconsin Air National Guard Firefighter Squadron, from 1951 to 1953. Upon his discharge, he continued his service with the Guard, as a full time carpenter, developing the woodworking skills that would become his life's work. He joined the Madison Fire Department, as a firefighter, in 1955, and served with the department until 1964. He then became a real estate agent in the Madison area, for the next 15 years of his life; working for a number of local companies as well as his own company, Sherman Realty. In 1980, he went back to his true love, carpentry; going to work for Findorff Construction Co., where he worked until his retirement in 1997. Al took great joy in his woodworking skills. He was an accomplished cabinet maker and furniture artisan, creating beautiful works of furniture for both himself and his family. He prided himself on home projects, both for himself as well as others. A truly giving man, Al would offer his services to anyone who asked. He never asked for anything in return, a simple "thank you' was payment enough. Al was also an accomplished cook. He took passion in cooking delicious dinners for friends and family. His homemade soups were second to none, and his culinary skills will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jan; sons, Jeffrey, James and John (Torvie), all of Madison; as well as his beloved dachshund, Abby. He is further survived by his brother, Clayton Sherman; sister, Lola (Palmer) Paulson; granddaughter, Danielle; as well as two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Joni; brothers, Wallace and Alf; and sisters, Anne and Marion. Per his requests, there will be no funeral service. A celebration of Al's life will be held in the near future. "Good-bye, Papa." Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on October 26, 2009

Mary (Vaughn) Montgomery - Class of 1942

MADISON - Mary Montgomery, age 85, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, after a 17-year battle against cancer. She was born Sept. 8, 1924, in Madison, to Adeline Hilgers Vaughn and John W. Vaughn. She attended Holy Redeemer Grade School and Central High School, graduating in 1942. Mary worked for the Bell Telephone Company as an operator, instructor and supervisor from 1942 to 1948. Mary married Baines T. Montgomery on April 9, 1948, in Louisville, Ky. They moved back to Madison in 1950. After their children were grown, she worked at Woolworth's part-time from 1976 until they closed the East Madison Shopping Center location. Mary was a lifetime member of VFW Ladies Auxiliary 8483, where she fried fish for Friday night fish fries and made omelets for Sunday breakfast for many years. She was also a member of the American Legion Post Ladies Auxiliary 481. Mary also volunteered at St. Mary's Hospital and baked chocolate chip cookies at Luke House. Her grandchildren were often recipients of her cookies, apple and pumpkin pies whenever requested. She enjoyed bowling for years with the Tuesday Morning Sunshine League and Friday Morning Senior League, as well as an avid bingo player. She is survived by her children, David (Lynn), Robert (Carolyn) of Madison, John (Mary Giemza) of Milton, and Frances (Scott) Petersen of Marshall; and six grandchildren, Geoffrey, James Montgomery, Matthew (Crystal) and Christopher Petersen, and Michael and Elizabeth Montgomery. She is also survived by her brother, John Paul (Donna) Vaughn; sisters-in-law, Maria (Gene) Bottoms and Louise Poe; special and dearly loved cousins, Kathleen Hilgers, Frank (Ruth) Haberland and Martin Haberland; many other nieces and nephews; and her dearest friend of a lifetime, Joan Severa. Mary was preceded in death by Baines, her loving husband of 61 years. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., with a 6 p.m. pass and review by the VFW Ladies Auxiliary 8483 on Friday, Oct. 23, 2009. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Ellen and Peter Johnson HospiceCare Center. The family wishes to thank Dr. Prendergast, the staff at St. Mary's Hospital, and the Ellen and Peter Johnson HospiceCare Center. Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on October 22, 2009

Obituary: James Earl "Pa Mobes" Mobry, Jr. - Class of 1952

COLUMBUS - James Earl "Pa Mobes" Mobry Jr., age 75, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009, at his home surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on Jan. 28, 1934, in Madison to James Earl and Lucille (Smith) Mobry Sr. He was a 1952 graduate of Madison Central High School, then served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was married to Ellen Mershon on Feb. 25, 1961, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Jim worked at several Madison businesses. First, at Borden's Dairy and then at Arthur Murray's Dance Studio, both in Madison and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He owned and operated a service station on W. Washington Avenue and then worked at the Weidenbeck and Doblin store. He was a die caster at Madison Kipp Corp and founder of ABC Shirt Lettering in Madison. Jim was a photographer for United Church Directories, and most recently was the "Good Will Ambassador" at Robbins Manufacturing in Fall River. He loved league bowling, softball, euchre and coaching. He was an avid Packers, Badgers and Columbus sports fan, and a devout Cubs fan. Jim enjoyed attending and supporting his children's and grandchildren's sports activities. Survivors include his wife, Ellen of Columbus; four daughters, Julie Ellen (Tim Geiger) Mobry, Joan Ellen (Juan Alberto) Loza Mobry and Jenny Ellen (Darrell) Augustine all of Columbus, and Jill Ellen (Mike Ring) Mobry of Cottage Grove; two sons, James Earl (Juli) Mobry III of Fall River, and Robert Anthony Lee Mobry of Columbus; 16 grandchildren, Bob, Jeffery, Suzi, Jessica, Amanda, Steven, Riley, Ryan, Courtney, Cullie, Ellie, Holly, Anton, James IV, Jefferson and Jordan; two great-grandchildren, Kallie and Carson; a sister, Shirley (Marvin) North of Fairchild; a brother, Don Mobry of Madison; many cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives; and an infinite number of friends and co-workers. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Robert and Stephen. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the funeral home on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009. A Celebration of Life and gathering will be from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, at the COLUMBUS COUNTRY CLUB in Columbus with military rites at 2 p.m. "More than anything, Jim was thankful to everyone for being his friend." Jensen Funeral and Cremation Columbus (920) 623-5850

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on October 15, 2009

Obituary: Mary Ada Hibma Erickson - Class of 1929

MADISON - Mary Ada Hibma Erickson passed away peacefully Oct. 8, 2009, at the age of 97. Mary was born at home in Madison on June 23, 1912, to parents Otto Hibma and Ida van der Meij Hibma, both of whom were Dutch immigrants. She was raised and educated in Madison, attending Randall Elementary School, Central High School, and then graduating from the University of Wisconsin in Madison in 1933 with a bachelor of science degree in dietetics. Mary was a member of the Phi Omega Pi sorority at the U. of W., and a longtime member of Eastern Star. She married Robert William Erickson Sr. in 1933 and they lived in Madison during their early years of marriage. They moved to Waupun in the early 1940s, and then back to Madison in 1954. She was employed by the University Testing Bureau during the '60s and '70s; upon retirement she and "Bob" bought a farm in the Barneveld area and enjoyed many years on "The Farm." She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Robert W. Erickson Sr.; her parents, Otto and Ida Hibma; her siblings, Perry Hibma (Emma), Theressa Roberts (Chester) and Dr. Otto V. Hibma (Barbara); her son, Robert W. Erickson Jr.; an infant daughter, Barbara Jane; her grandson, Daniel Dean Perry; and niece, Nancy Hibma Kreklow. She is survived by her daughters, Connie Perry (Steve) of Penfield, N.Y., and Mary Pulley (John) of San Mateo, Calif.; her sons, Erik Erickson (Janice) of McFarland, and Jon Erickson (Betty) of Eau Claire; her grandchildren, Tami Olsen (Todd), Jennie Perry-Raymond (Jon), Erik Perry (Kris), Brek Perry (Tara), Stephanie Monday (Greg), Robert Erickson III (Emily), Tom Erickson (Jami), Kristen Tornow (Jeff), Erik Erickson (Heather), Shawna Droese (Mike), Erik Pulley (Dana), Austin Erickson (Jenna) and Brittania Cubas (Jorge); her great-grandchildren, Ashley, Mackenzie and Erik Olsen, Brek and Danielle Perry, Kate, Maddie, Calvin, Ella, Will and Mia Perry, Liam Perry, Alex, Peri and Nicholas Monday, Nolan and Hayden Erickson, Sam and Molly Erickson, Ben, Matthew, Nick and Sam Tornow, Ayden Erickson, Sophie, Tristan and Caden Droese, Taylor and Trevor Pulley, and Eve and Sevrin Erickson; and step-great-grandchildren, Ben and Chandler Hoeft. Mary was a dedicated, loving, kind and caring Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother who always put family first. She had a wonderful sense of humor and quick wit that will certainly be missed. Her positive attitude and wise counsel provided strength and guidance to all. One of her favorite sayings was, "Whatever you do, do with your might, because things done by halves are never done right!" Her home always had an open door with food on the table for all visitors and a warm, welcoming greeting. She had many interests: music, books, sewing, traveling, ice skating, and entertaining friends and family. Her travels included several trips to Holland to visit the areas where her beloved parents grew up. She was so proud of her Dutch heritage. Treasured memories for Mary include her very loving parents and happy childhood, and the many summers spent at the cottage which her father built on Middleton Beach on Lake Mendota in Madison. In her retirement years she and Bob, after buying the farm, raised a variety of animals and always had room for the many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who loved to be with Grandma and Grandpa, and who now have a treasure trove of so many wonderful memories of times at "The Farm." Visitation for Mary will be at the CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 6021 University Ave., Madison, WI 53705 on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed immediately by services conducted by the Rev. Dr. Robert D. Sichta, Pastor, Barneveld United Church of Christ. Interment will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Shriner's Childrens Hospital, 2025 East River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55414 in Mary's name, or to a charity of your choice. Special thanks to the staff at Capitol Lakes Terraces and the Capitol Lakes 3rd floor Health Center for their kind support and loving care of Mary in her final year.Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 6021 University Ave. (608) 238-840

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on October 14, 2009

Note: Mary Ada Hibma Erickson's class year is based on information in the 1929 Tychoberahn, where she is pictured among the members of the June graduating class.

Obituary: Lavern Hans "Andy" Anderson - Class of 1952

MADISON - Lavern Hans "Andy" Anderson, age 75, passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully surrounded by his family, on Sunday, October 11, 2009, at St. Mary's. He was born on February 3, 1934, in Madison, the son of Hans and Gertrude (Sorge) Anderson. Lavern attended schools in Madison, graduating from Central High in 1952. He married Kay Thomas on December 2, 1958, and to this union two daughters were born, Pamela Sue and Kathy Elizabeth. Lavern worked for the State of Wisconsin for a number of years, before moving to Denver, Colo., and living there for 11 years. Upon returning to Wisconsin he went to work for Marshall Erdman and Associates, where he retired after 30 years. Lavern and Kay loved to travel, especially in their travel trailer and followed Wisconsin sports and Packers football. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards, and camping. Lavern was a member of Lake Edge United Church of Christ, where he served on several committees, and worked with the youth, traveling with them on five work camps. "Papa" also enjoyed attending his grandchildren's school functions and sporting events. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Kay; his daughters, Pam (Andy) Lewis of Middleton, and Kathy (Dan) McCartney of Waunakee; and his four grandchildren, who were the light of his life, Briana Lewis, Shawn Lewis, Kyle McCartney and Patrick McCartney; his 95 year old mother, Gertrude Harris of Madison; his sister, Doris (Ken) Urkoski of Columbus, Nebraska; brother, Eugene "Pete" (Joyce) Anderson of Madison; godmother/ aunt Jo Balser of Madison; a special cousin, Charlie Parks; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday,October 14, 2009, at MEMORIAL UNITED CHRIST OF CHURCH, 5705 W. Lacy Road, Fitchburg at 11 a.m. with the Reverend Lisa Schoenwetter presiding. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2009, at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL HOME, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Memorials may be made to St. Stephen's Food Pantry. He will be truly missed by all who knew him and loved him. Gunderson Fitchburg Funeral and Cremation Centers 2950 Chapel Valley Road

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on October 13, 2009