Obituary: Louise (Piper) Robertson -Class of 1936

WAUNAKEE - Louise Robertson, age 91, loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on Sunday, December 27, 2009, at St. Mary's Hospital. She was born on July 2, 1918, in Madison, the daughter of Alfred and Iva Piper. Louise graduated from Central High School, where she was active in the drama club and on the social committee. She attended college in New York and often enjoyed dining out at the Rainbow Room. Louise married her sweetheart, Glyne "Pat" Robertson, and they enjoyed their retirement years together fishing in Woodruff, during the summer, and then in Florida, during the winter, until Pat's death in 1985. Louise was loved for her quick wit and her devotion to her family. She is survived by her four children, Jerry (Mary) Robertson of Waunakee, Lynne (Steve) Robertson of Waunakee, Alfred (Virginia) Robertson of Little Rock, Ark., and Joseph (Susan) Robertson of Madison; her sister, Alice Hanson of Waukegan, Ill.; as well as many grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Louise was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Iva Piper; her beloved husband, Glyne "Pat" Robertson; and her brother, David Piper. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 31, 2009, at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CHURCH, 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 30, 2009, at WINN-CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 5785 Highway Q, Waunakee. We would like to extend a sincere thank you to the nurses and staff at St. Mary's Hospital for their compassionate care. Winn-Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 5785 Highway Q, Waunakee (608) 849-4513

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 29, 2009

Note: Louise (Piper) Robertson is listed as graduating in 1936; Wisconsin State Journal 6/7/1936, p. 10 (information submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968).

Obituary: Sharon A. (Forbes) Parkinson

MADISON - Sharon A. Parkinson, age 69, passed away at the HospiceCare center in Fitchburg on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009, after a short, but courageous battle against gallbladder cancer. She was born on Dec. 14, 1940, in Madison, the daughter of Edward and Catherine (Hewitt) Forbes. Sharon grew up in Madison and graduated from Central High School. After many years working for AT and T, she retired in 1995 to care for her first grandchild. Her grandchildren were the light of her life and she loved spending much time with them. She cooked for them, read to them, and even went to the park to shoot a few hoops with them. Sharon's family and friends were the center of her life and she was happiest when she was with them. Sharon was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers and loved reading, especially Stephen King novels. She is survived by a son, Mike (Janis) Parkinson of Verona; a daughter, Lynn (Tim) Maglio of Madison; four grandchildren, Samantha and Ashley Maglio, and Nicole and Corey Parkinson; two brothers, Ed (Pat) Forbes of Madison, and John Forbes of Madison; and brother-in-law, Jerry Parkinson of Madison. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, cousins and many special friends; and special family friend, Sally Johnson of Madison. She was preceded in death by her son, Curt in 1992; former husband, Darrell "Obie" Parkinson in 2004; along with her parents and grandparents. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009, at BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2131 Rowley Ave., Madison, at 10:30 a.m., with Father Ron Kreul officiating. Burial will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, Madison. A visitation will be held at JOYCE-RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 5701 Odana Road, Madison on Monday, Dec. 28, 2009, from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m., and again at the church on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. We would like to extend a special thank you to the HospiceCare staff for taking such good care of our Mom. "We will miss you Mom. You were our best friend and always there for us when we needed help. We will miss your home cooked meals and good advice. There is a huge hole in our hearts that will never be replaced. You would never say good-bye, instead it was 'toodles.' So toodles for now, until we see you again. We love you Mom." Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home and Cremation Services 5701 Odana Road (608) 274-1000

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 27, 2009

Obituary: Marjorie R. (Mueller) Gilbertson

PRAIRIE DU CHIEN - Marjorie R. Gilbertson, age 86, of Prairie du Chien, died suddenly Sunday December 13, 2009, at Memorial Hospital in Prairie du Chien. Marjorie was born April 9, 1923, in Madison, to Arthur and Lillian (Walsh) Mueller. She graduated from Central High School in Madison. She married Thomas Gilbertson on June 23, 1944, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison. She worked as a secretary for Ellis-Arneson Insurance in Madison, and later in the claims department for American Family Insurance also in Madison. They moved to Prairie du Chien in 1988. Marjorie was active in Bible study, choir and taught Sunday school. She loved to work with her flowers and enjoyed eating out. She is survived by her husband, Thomas; a daughter, Patty (Rick) Hamann of Prairie du Chien; a son, Jim Gilbertson of Cottage Grove; a brother, William (Sylvia) Mueller of Madison; a nephew and two nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents and stepmother, Coletta. Services will be 11 a.m. on Thursday December 17, 2009, at ST. PETER EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH in Prairie du Chien, with a burial at a later date in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Madison. Friends may call on Wednesday from 5 p.m . to 8 p.m. at THORNBURG-HANSON FUNERAL HOME in Prairie du Chien, and one hour prior to services at the church.

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

Obituary: Cornelius "Connie" Eugene Cooke ("The Winnebago Man") - Class of 1950

MADISON - Connie Cooke died on Wednesday morning, December 9, 2009, at St. Mary's Care Center. Connie was a quiet person, known to many, as the man who parked his 1969 Winnebago Camper on Wingra Drive, near Vilas Park Zoo, in recent years. He spent the summer months in Madison and winters in Florida. His camper, arriving in April, was a sure sign of spring. Connie was born on October 30, 1931, and graduated from Madison Central High School, in 1950. He served in the U.S. Army, worked as a carpenter, and had been retired for many years. There will be a memorial service in the CHAPEL AT ST. MARY'S HOSPITAL on Wednesday, December 16, 2009, at 3 p.m. Gunderson West Funeral and Cremation Centers 7435 University Ave. (608) 831-6761

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

Obituary: William "Bill" Mischke - Class of 1950

FITCHBURG - William "Bill" Mischke, age 78, of Fitchburg, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009, at home. He was born on Jan. 14, 1931, in East St. Louis, Ill., the son of William and Gladys (Rutledge) Mischke. Bill moved to Madison in 1945. He graduated from Madison Central High School, where he was involved in many sports. Bill served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 until 1955. He married Sandra Crosier on May 31, 1975, in Madison. Bill was a painter/ wallpaperer by trade in the Madison area for many years. He enjoyed working at Bill's Food in Oregon, in his retirement. Bill was a member of All Saints Lutheran Church. He volunteered delivering food to St. Mark's food pantry for several years. Bill was an avid Badgers fan and was a season ticket holder to football and basketball games, traveling to many away games. He also enjoyed bowling and vacationing in Florida. Bill is survived by his wife, Sandra of Fitchburg; niece, Diane (Larry) Jones; nephew, Ken (Vickie) Strand; great-nieces and great-nephew, Jocelyn and Joelle Strand, and Tony Jones; stepdaughters, Sheryl (Deb) McFerren and Julie (Dennis) Ahnen; grandchildren, Jennifer, Heather, Megan and Cailin Ahnen; and four children, Steve, Stan, Judy and Billy. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Claire "Elaine" (Bill) Strand. Funeral services will be held at ALL SAINTS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2951 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, at 1 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, with the Rev. Richard Johnson presiding. Visitation will be at the church from noon until the time of the service on Monday. Burial will be at Sunset Memory Gardens. Memorials may be made to All Saints Lutheran Church or HospiceCare Inc. Gunderson Fitchburg Funeral and Cremation Care 2950 Chapel Valley Road (608) 442-5002

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

Note: William Mischke's class year is based on information in the 1950 Tychoberahn, where he is pictured among the graduating seniors.