Obituary: Ernest Joseph "Nunzio" Novara - Class of 1952

OREGON - Ernest Joseph "Nunzio" Novara, age 77, passed away on Tuesday, April 24, 2012. He was born on July 15, 1934, the son of Gaspare and Rose Novara. Ernie graduated from Central High School in 1952. He served in the Air National Guard at Truax Field from 1953 until his retirement in 1989. Ernie married the love of his life, Mary Lou Kerwin in 1955. He was a volunteer for St. Mary's Hospital as a Eucharist Minister for 20 years. Ernie also served in all capacities at Holy Mother of Consolation Catholic Church. He and Mary Lou enjoyed their get-togethers with "The Sweethearts Club" (a group of six couples from Truax) which had been established for 52 years. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Lou; was the proud father to four daughters, Sarita and Larry Neath of Fitchburg, Jo Jean Novara of Tucson, Ariz., Darcy and Edward Halloran of McFarland, and Julie Hagen and Michael Mahnke of New Glarus; honorary daughter, Jane Cords of Tucson, Ariz.; prouder grandfather to Tyler and Amanda Halloran and Bret and Kayla Hagen (the grandkids could do NO wrong in grandpa's eyes); brother to Leonard "Dino" and Gen Novara; and is also survived by many in-laws, nieces and nephews. A Memorial Mass will be held at HOLY MOTHER OF CONSOLATION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 651 N. Main Street, Oregon, at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 5, 2012, with Father Gary Wankerl presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of Mass on Saturday. Ernie loved taking the entire family on Caribbean cruise vacations. "Thanks for all the memories; we know you were happiest when we were all together. We all love you, and will miss you." Gunderson Oregon Funeral & Cremation Care 1150 Park Street

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 29, 2011 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968)

Obituary: April J. (Zekas) Johnson - Class of 1965

MADISON - April J. Johnson, age 65, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on Friday, April 20, 2012, at Agrace HospiceCare. She was born on May 10, 1946, in Madison, the daughter of John and Dorothy (Verweyst) Zekas. April graduated from Central High School in Madison in 1964. She was united in marriage to James L. Johnson on Dec. 30, 1967, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Madison. April worked for various insurance companies as a unit clerk for 37 years. After retirement, she volunteered at St. John's Lutheran Church and Romes Corner Middle School in Oregon. April is survived by her husband, Jim; daughter, Nicholet J. (Steven) Wagner; son, Carl J. (Ami) Johnson; and grandchildren, Kevin, Kelsey and Carli. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Bruce Zekas; and sister, Janis Samuelson. Funeral services will be held at ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 322 E. Washington Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, with the Rev. Ken Smith presiding. Private entombment will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., on Monday, April 23, 2012. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John's Emergency Fund. April's family would like to thank Agrace HospiceCare, members of St. John's Lutheran Church, South Madison Rotary Club, and friends and neighbors for all of their care and support. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive

Note:  April Zekas was member of the class of 1965 and is picture amongst the graduating seniors in the 1965 Tychoberahn. The class year in the obituary is incorrect.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 22, 2012 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968).

Obituary: Richard Marvin "Dick" McMahan

MADISON - Richard Marvin "Dick" McMahan passed away on Tuesday, March 28, 2012, in Madison. Dick was born on Nov. 3, 1944, in Madison. He was the son of Michael James and Mabel Irene (Gilbertson) McMahan. Dick was a graduate of Central High School. He served in the Army as a Special Electrical Device Repairman with the 57th Engineering Co./Heavy Maintenance. He was stationed in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Upon his return to civilian life, Dick worked in the construction trades and as an auto mechanic. His most important job was caring for both his parents until their deaths. He sacrificed much in his own life to care for and keep them at home. Dick was preceded in death by both his parents; his brother, Joseph Michael McMahan, in 1998; and his sister, Betty Jean McMahan in 2001. He is survived by his niece, Erin (Ken) Proctor of Madison; and nephew, Sean (Lisa) McMahan of Lakeside, Calif. He also has grandnieces, Kati McMahan and Jade Proctor and grandnephew, Shane McMahan. Committal services will be held at FOREST HILL CEMETERY, 1 Speedway Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 20, 2012.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 19, 2012 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968)

Obituary: John A. Lehmann - Class of 1943

MADISON - John A. Lehmann, age 87, of Madison, passed away on Wednesday, April 11, 2012, at St. Mary's Care Center. He was born on Sept. 20, 1924, in Mather, the son of Alfred and Edna (Hoover) Lehmann. John came to Madison in 1937, and was a graduate of Central High School. He served during World War II, in the U.S. Merchant Marines from 1943 until 1947. John married Florence Viviani on Aug. 20, 1949, in Madison. He was a power plant engineer for the State of Wisconsin for 38 years, retiring in 1986. John was a member of the Wisconsin Association of Power Plant Engineers, Knights of Columbus, and St. Bernards Catholic Church. He enjoyed playing euchre, spending time with family, dancing, reading, and camping. John is survived by daughters, Nancy (Felix) Kowalewsky, Sue (Paul) Lehmann-Ziebarth, and Karen Lehmann, all of Madison; sons, Tim (Maggie) Lehmann of Madison, and Jeffrey (Sandee) Lehmann of Oregon; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife, Florence; his parents; and brother, Fred. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Avenue, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 20, 2012, with Monsignor Michael Hippee presiding. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass on Friday. The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff and physicians at St. Mary's Care Center for the excellent care they provided. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 15, 2012. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968).  

John Lehmann's class year is based on a list of 1943 graduates published in the Wisconsn State Journal on June 6, 1943

Obituary: Judith Anne (Pedracine) Blue

MADISON  - Judith Anne Blue, age 72, passed away on Tuesday, April 10, 2012. She was born on April 6, 1940, in Madison, the daughter of Joseph P. and Alma (Crooks) Pedracine. Judith was raised by her grandparents, Lawrence and Crescentia Pedracine from the age of three months. She attended St. James, Central High School and Edgewood High School. Judith was married to Fred Banks Sr. from 1960 until 1973. She was married to Roscoe Blue from 1975 until his death in 2002. Judith was one of the first women hired under the WIN program and worked for the City of Madison Parks Maintenance Department in 1973. Most recently, she was the food pantry coordinator at St. Marks for 12 years. Judith was a faithful member of Mount Zion Baptist Church, serving as a Mother of the Church and Wednesday night cook for fellowship dinner. She is survived by her children, Katherine Pedracine, Fred Banks, Crescentia Banks-Foellmi, and LeeAnne Banks, all of Madison; sisters, Elizabeth McCredie, Susan (Wendell) Brookyser, and Mary Jo (Mike) White; 26 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; husbands; brother, Joey Pedracine; and daughter, Mary Ann. Funeral services will be held at MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH, 2019 Fisher Street, Madison, at noon on Friday, April 13, 2012, with the Rev. Richard Jones presiding. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. A special thank you to Agrace HospiceCare for taking care of our Mother. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 12, 2012 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968)

Obituary: Catherine "Katie" Endres Spangler Wagner - Class of 1942

SUN PRAIRIE - Catherine "Katie" Endres Spangler Wagner, age 88, died on April 4, 2012, at the Prairie Gardens Assisted Living Facility. Katie was born on March 1, 1924, in Cross Plains, the daughter of Michael and Gertrude (Boehnen) Endres. After graduation from Madison Central High School in 1942, she married Paul Spangler on Jan. 4, 1944. Paul passed away in 1972. She later married Francis Wagner on Sept. 7, 1973. Katie worked as the deli/bakery manager for many years at Sentry Foods and as a waitress for more than 20 years at Herremann's Restaurant and Supper Club. She was a founding member of St. Albert the Great Catholic Church. Katie's greatest accomplishment, however, was her family. Katie enjoyed playing cards, especially euchre, bingo, gaming, bowling and especially spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Katie is survived by her husband, Francis of Sun Prairie; five children, Pauline (Bill) Wentland of Windsor, Gloria (Mike) McCann of Ft. Wayne, Ind., Mary Kay (Jim) Robinson of Fairport, N.Y., Richard (Lisa) Spangler of Stoughton, and Lois (Bob) Frank of Steamboat Springs, Colo.; 11 grandchildren, George, Jackie, Mark, Tom, Doug, Paul, Bryan, Katie, Nikki, Mackenzie and Scott; 18 great-grandchildren; a brother, Michael (Anne) Endres of Sun Prairie; two brothers-in-law, Wesley Gest of DeForest, and Peter Broome of Houston, Texas; four sisters-in-law, Mildred Krull of Lake Mills, Mary Grinsteiner of Kimberly, Genevieve (Dick) Halvorson of Madison, and Barb Endres of Monona; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Katie was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Paul Spangler; a grandson, Randy Wentland; five sisters; and three brothers. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed in Katie's memory to St. Albert the Great Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. ALBERT THE GREAT CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2420 St. Albert the Great Drive, Sun Prairie on Wednesday, April 11, 2012, at 11 a.m. A visitation will be held at the CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie on Tuesday, April 10, 2012, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and also at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass. Inurnment will be held at Sun Prairie Memory Gardens at 1:45 p.m. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Prairie Gardens Assisted Living Facility and the staff of Agrace HospiceCare for all the care and love they gave to Katie. Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 8, 2012. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968).

Obituary: Elaine (Seldal) Krasny - Class of 1967

MILWAUKEE - Born to life December 1948. Born into Eternal Life on March 28, 2012.

Soul mate of George. Companion to Ginger. Cherished daughter of Betty and the late Russell Seldal. Beloved sister of David (Barbara) and Dale (Gayle). Further survived by other relatives and friends.

Elaine graduated from high school in 1966. She went on to study at UW-Madison where she met George. Private services were held in Milwaukee.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 8, 2012 (submitted by Sidney Iwanter, Class of 1967).

Note: According to a list of Class of 1967 graduates published in The Capital Times on June 9, 1967, Elaine Seldal graduated in that year (not in 1966 as stated in the obituary).