Obituary: Margaret (Hatch) Seymour - Class of 1933

WEST BEND - Margaret (Hatch) Seymour, of West Bend, age 94, passed away on Friday, Jan. 28, 2011, at West Bend.

She was born on Feb. 27, 1916, in Augusta to the late Carlisle (Lisie) C. And Winifred (nee Butler) Hatch. She spent her early childhood in Onalaska and moved to Madison in 1925. There, she graduated from Madison Central High in 1933, attended the UW of Wisconsin for three years and Groves Barnhardt Business School for six months. She worked as a bookkeeper at the Madison Gas and Electric Company for several years until 1942.

Margaret was united in marriage to Eugene (Gene) Seymour in 1940. After her marriage she devoted herself to her husband and to raising her two sons, Gary and Jon. As did many wives during World War II, she did this while her husband served overseas with the United States Navy Seabees. Margaret loved her family and was an active and guiding participant in their successes and adventures. She was the care giver for her parents until their deaths.

Margaret began to china paint later in life and belonged to several china painting organizations such as the World Organization of China Painters and China Painters of Jefferson County. She was active in the Retired Senior Volunteer Program in Madison, demonstrating her china painting skills at school folk fairs in the Madison metropolitan area. In 1992, she moved to West Bend, to be closer to her family. There she continued her china painting and made many new friends at the Cedar Ridge Retirement Apartments.

All who knew her will remember her as a quiet, caring, loving, gentle, friendly, witty, and humorous woman whose generous heart belied her small stature. She will be deeply missed by friends and family alike.

Margaret is survived by her two sons, Gary (Jane) of West Bend, and Jon (Jacqueline) of Cincinnati, Ohio; five grandchildren, Andrew of West Bend, Daniel (Gina) of Decatur, Ga., Jennifer of Waukegan, Ill., Cameron of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Amanda (Miles Spathelf) of Anchorage, Alaska; sister-in-law, Edith Hatch of Janesville; and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene in 1990; and her two brothers, Seth and Carlisle.

In accordance with Margaret's wishes, there will be no funeral services. A celebration of her life will be held at a time and place convenient to her family and will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to the Reedsburg Educational Foundation (designated for the Seymour Education Fund), 501 K St., Reedsburg, WI 53959; or to a favorite charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Care, 5203 Monona Drive,(608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 30, 2011 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968)

Obituary: David W. Bowers - Class of 1967

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - David W. Bowers 3/15/49-1/19/11 Sound engineer extraordinaire, fine friend, unique human being. We will miss his love, humor, physical energy and vibrant life force. In 1971, after combat service with the Marine Corps in Vietnam, Dave began his career as a sound engineer in Santa Cruz. His attention to detail and dedication to the highest standards of his craft led to tours with the Doobie Brothers, Kenny Loggins and Toto, among others. Returning to the Bay area in 1984, he joined IATSE Local 134 and was hired by Promedia Ultrasound. His sensitive ear and impeccable work ethic led to gigs with Luciano Pavarotti, the Three Tenors, Andrea Bocelli, the Irish Tenors, the SF Opera and the SF Symphony. His last gig, before he succumbed to colon cancer, was the East Bay Symphony's November, 2010 concert with Carlos Santana and Narada Michael Walden. Dave is survived by his wife Carie May-Bowers, brother Jack Bowers and sister Dr. Genie Bowers. Please friend David W. Bowers on Facebook to share memories and learn about a celebration of his life.

Originally published in The San Francisco Chronicle on January 23, 2011 (submitted by Sidney Iwanter, Class of 1967, who confirmed that David Bowers was  member of that graduating class)

Obituary: Roberta J. (Miller) Frei - Class of 1946

MADISON - Roberta J. Frei, age 83, passed away after a brief illness on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011, at the HospiceCare Center, Fitchburg. She was born on Jan. 18, 1928, in Madison, the daughter of Albert and Loretta (Thurber) Miller. Roberta graduated from Central High School in 1946. She married her husband, Alois "Al" in a double wedding with her twin sister on June 4, 1949, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. Roberta was a charter member of St. Peter Catholic Church and sang in the church choir. She volunteered at Lake View School and enjoyed gardening, her roses and ceramics. Roberta was a breast cancer survivor. She is survived by her husband, Alois "Al" of Madison; children, Jeffrey (Wei) Frei of Hawthorne Woods, Ill. and Daniel (Kelly) Frei of Oregon; her twin sister, Alberta Fassbind of Verona; brothers, Allan Miller of Madison and Don (Clancy) Miller of Davis, Calif.; grandson, Carl Frei; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Beverly Durkin; brother-in-law, Carl; and sister-in-law, Carol. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. PETER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5001 N. Sherman Ave., on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011, at 11 a.m. with Monsignor Charles Schluter officiating. Burial will be held at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. A visitation will be held at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 2418 N. Sherman Ave. on Monday, Jan. 24, 2011, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and then again at church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass. Ryan Funeral Home and Cremation Services 2418 N. Sherman Ave. (608) 249-8257

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 23, 2011 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968)

Obituary: Marietta (Cassini) Peterson

FLORIDA/MADISON - Marietta Peterson, age 66, passed away peacefully with her husband at her side in their home in Florida on Dec. 30, 2010.

She was born on March 14, 1944. She was the daughter of Louis and Rose (Tortorici) Cassini. On April 20, 1963, she married her soul mate, Robert Peterson at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Madison. She attended St. Joseph's grade school and Central High School.

Marietta grew up in the Greenbush. She loved the neighborhood and her Italian heritage and always had stories about her childhood in "Bush". At age 13 she rescued a drowning man in Brittingham Bay, saving his life. She was later awarded a Certificate for Outstanding Courage by Alderman McCormick. Marietta was also awarded a Certificate of Excellence for her art work from the Madison Art Association. She was always very artistic and enjoyed a wide variety of arts and crafts; she also loved music and gardening. She was always very proud of the home she made for her family. She and her husband owned a miniatures shop, which she loved and they handcrafted many intricate accessories, dollhouses and room boxes, some of which are on display at House on the Rock.

Marietta is survived by her husband, Bob; daughters, Rosalie Stankovich of Sun Prairie, Janice (Richard) Cheers of Kansas City, Missouri; sons, Rob (Theresa) Peterson of Evansville, and Todd (Heather) Peterson of Pardeeville; sister, Joan (Bill) Elmore; and brother, Louie (Shirley) Cassini, both of Madison; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren; and a lifelong friend, Eddie Abbott of Texas, and many nieces and nephews.

Marietta was a devoted wife, and loving mother and grandmother. Family was always a priority for her. We love her dearly....Ya, Meeeeee...you'll be missed more than you could ever imagine!

There will be a memorial service set at a later date.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 9, 2011

Obituary: John L. O'Malley - Class of 1949

MADISON - John L. O'Malley, passed away on Christmas, Dec. 25, 2010, surrounded by his family.

He was born on Sept. 22, 1930, the son of John Joseph and Ida Ruth (Mawhinney) O'Malley. He married Barbara Gray on June 10, 1950. John graduated from Central High School in 1949. He worked for Motor Transport for 25 years and then worked for Care Cab before retiring. John enjoyed taking long drives, watching his grandchildren's activities, playing Bingo, parades and watching the eagles at Sauk Prairie.

John is survived by his wife of 60 years, Barbara; children, Patrick (Nancy) O'Malley, Daniel (Alvina) O'Malley, Ruthann (Steven) Drifke; John (Donna) O'Malley and Shane (JoAnn) O'Malley; 10 grandchildren, Casey, Brian and Emily O'Malley, Melanie (Joe) Squires, Caitlin and Holly Drifke, Brianna and Makayla O'Malley, and Jordan and Tamia O'Malley; sister, June (Sanford) Herrling; and brother-in-law, Frank (Eileen) Gray. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Michael O'Malley; two brothers; and a sister.

Memorial services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, with the Rev. John Bergson presiding. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday. A special thank you to the doctors and nursing staff at Dean East and Oncology Clinics, St. Mary's Hospital, City of Madison Emergency Response Teams and HospiceCare. Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Care, 5203 Monona Drive,(608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 2, 2011 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968)