Obituary: Donald Ritchey Stroud, Sr. - Class of 1934

MADISON - Prominent attorney and lifelong Madison resident Donald Ritchey Stroud Sr., age 96, died June 12, 2013, at Attic Angel Place in Middleton, where he had been a resident for six years and at one time served as a member of its board. Over the years he also served on the board of Madison's first shopping center, Hilldale, as well as the boards of United Way, Madison General Hospital (now Meriter Hospital) and was council to the Henry Vilas Trust. He was an elder at Christ Presbyterian Church and a guest lecturer at the University of Wisconsin Law School. In 1957, at age 40, he was elected president of Madison Downtown Rotary Club, at that time the youngest president the club had ever had. Born March 1, 1917, to Ray M. and Miriam Ritchey Stroud he attended Lincoln Elementary School and Central High School in Madison before enrolling in Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. After earning his law degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, he worked for a short period with the Milwaukee law firm of Shea and Hoyt. On the eve of Pearl Harbor he joined the U.S. Army's Officer Cadet School, later working in the U.S. Army Counter Intelligence Corps in Chicago before being deployed to the European Theater. He was part of the invasion on Omaha Beach in France in 1944 and later fought in the Battle of the Bulge. In 1945, First Lt. Stroud was cited by the Army for his work with the Army Counter Intelligence Corps. He left the Army as a Captain. Two days after joining the army he married Betty "Burky" Burghardt, whose family started Burghardt Sporting Goods of Milwaukee. He courted her in Three Lakes, Wis., where their respective families owned cottages on opposite shores of Big Fork Lake. The Stroud cottage was named Knokachoo because it served as a refuge from summer allergies. With no telephone service at the time, he would use a red or green lantern set on the pier to signal his arrival by boat or car. Their family cottages are still enjoyed by subsequent generations. In 1947, he joined the Madison law firm that included his father, Ray, and later his brother, Seward "Dick" Stroud. It is now Stroud, Willink & Howard, LLC. Outside the firm, he loved woodworking and much of the furniture he crafted now resides with his children. Along with his wife, he also loved family snow skiing trips, sailing, water skiing and boating, sports his children still enjoy. Betty died in 1977 at age 57. He would later marry Nancy Stotzer of Milwaukee who died 10 years later. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Seward. Survivors include his sister, Claire Oetking, of Madison; five children, Susan Stroud (Gus Plumb) of Fort Collins, Colo., Steve Stroud (Carol Stogsdill) of Pasadena, Calif., Donald Stroud Jr. (Mardi Laudon) of Madison, Doug Stroud (Claudia Hall) of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and Peter Stroud of Middleton; nine grandchildren, Heather, Wendy, Donald III (Tripp), Scott, Adam, Bradley, Hattie, Kaia and Steve; five great-grandchildren, Aidan, Ian, Myah, Quinn and Zoe. His family plans a private memorial.  

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on June 16, 2013. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968).

Donald Stroud's class year is based on information in the 1934 Orange & Black yearbook, where he is pictured amongst the graduating seniors.

Obituary: Ruth M. (Skelly) Trameri

FITCHBURG - -Ruth M. Trameri, age 91, passed away on Wednesday, June 5, 2013. Ruth was born to Hedwig (Loehrer) and Leo Skelly on November 8, 1921. She grew up on a farm in Fitchburg and graduated from Central High School. She retired from First Wisconsin Bank (U.S. Bank) after 36 years. Ruth married Deno Trameri on January 10, 1948. They had 54 wonderful years together. He passed away on June 18, 2002. Ruth has volunteered at St. James School and Church for many years. She enjoyed her 500 club and Bridge clubs. She was a long time member of St. James Catholic Church, Catholic Woman’s Club and also Woman’s Club of Madison. She was an active member of Foresters and Elks Auxiliary.

Ruth is survived by her brother John (Joyce) Skelly and sister-in-law Doris Trameri. She was very fond of her nieces and nephews, Kathi (Larry) Goodman, LuAnne (Lou) Jones, Sue Daniel, Tom (Diane) Skelly, Dan (Diane) Koellen, Michael (Patricia) Schott, Bill (Joni) Schott and Patrick Schott. Also dear friends, Mary Muldoon Gleason, Karen Reibetanz and Jerry Frerker.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Deno, her parents, sister Bette, brothers-in-law Roland Koellen and Ed Trameri, and sisters-in-law Rita Sundstrom and Genevieve Schott.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC PARISH at the ST. JAMES CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1128 St. James Ct., Madison, with Msgr. Tom Baxter and Msgr. Douglas Dushack officiating. A Visitation will take place at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be held at Resurrection Cemetery.

A special thanks to Agrace HospiceCare and Attic Angels for helping Ruth with her journey during her last five weeks.

 In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Parish, Apostolate to the Handicapped, St. James School Endowment or Agrace HospiceCare. Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services 5701 Odana Rd 608-274-1000
  
Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on June 9, 2013.

Obituary: Alfonso "Al" Studesville - Class of 1964

MADISON - Alfonso "Al" Studesville Jr., 67, lifelong community activist and educator, passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, in Texas along with his wife, as the result of a tragic motorcycle accident, while traveling to see the Grand Canyon.

 He was best known for his gregarious personality, his deep rich voice and infectious laugh. He regularly used and lived by the phrase, "I will match energy with energy" and was driven in service to education and economic opportunities.

 He was born on Jan. 9, 1946, in St. Louis, Mo., son of Alfonso Sr. and Margaret (Hall) Studesville. Al was a life-long resident of Madison and graduated from the University of Wisconsin, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Social Work and Masters in Counseling. He was married to Janet (Barry) Studesville for almost four decades. They had one son, Eric. He and his wife Staci have two children, Sydni Simone (eight) and Eric Alfonso Jr. (eight months) whom Al and Jan adored.

Al was a Student Services Career Counselor at Madison College (formerly MATC). He and Jan owned Just Nails Studios and Just Nails Training Center in Fitchburg. He also served as member of the South Central Work Force Development Board and Rapid Response Team, Back to School program, GALA Fund Raising Event, College Challenge Bowl and Mentoring Programs for 100 Black Men of Madison. He was a member of the Small Business Advisory Committee for the Wisconsin Department of Licensing and Regulation, MATC Liaison to Corporation, Business, Industry and Trade, MATC Recruiter for adults, displaced workers and alternative programs, member of the Madison College Recruiter for Recruitment and Retention Committee, High School Counselor Relations, a liaison to School to Work Council and Programs and member of the Madison College Small Business Board.

 Prior to joining Madison College, Alfonso was employed by Wisconsin Power and Light (now known as Alliant Energy) as a Sales Manager. He was a teacher and counselor at Madison East High School for nine years and the program director for the South Madison Neighborhood Center (now known as the Boys and Girls Club).

Al began a life of community service at the age of 12 when he joined the Jr. NAACP. He belonged to numerous community groups and professional organizations including the NAACP Education Committee, Urban League and Charles Hamilton Houston Institute. Recently he was selected to serve as the Executive Vice President of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute to prepare youth for economic independence by focusing on self-esteem, health, academic achievement, study skills, work skills, service to others and citizenship. He received many awards including the Reverend James C. Wright Human Rights Award.

Al is survived by his son, Eric (Staci) Studesville and grandchildren, Sydni and Eric Jr. of Lone Tree, Colo.; brothers, Larry (Jan Hamik) Studesville of Madison, Orlando Studesville of New York, N.Y. and Donald Studesville of Madison; father-in-law, Dr. George Barry of Madison; brothers-in-law, Richard (Trish) Barry of Middleton and Don Barry (Teiko Saito) of Alexandria, Va.; sister-in-law, Carol (Don) Bloom of LaCrosse; and his maternal uncle, John (Dorothy) Hall of St. Louis, Mo. Al and Jan also leave behind many friends and associates who will miss them dearly.

Al was preceded in death by his parents, Alfonso Sr. and Margaret (Hall) Studesville; and mother-in-law, Kay Barry.

Visitation for both Al and Jan will be at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 6021 University Avenue, Madison, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, June 14, 2013. A celebration service for both will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2013, in the MITBY THEATER at MATC, 1701 Wright Street, Madison, with Pastor Alex Gee officiating. The family suggests that visitors wear attire to reflect a colorful celebration of life in the true spirit of Al and Jan.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Al and Jan Studesville Memorial Fund that will continue support for educational opportunities and scholarships for students in Madison. Programs through Women in Focus and 100 Black Men of Madison will be targeted.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on June 8, 2013 

Alfonso Studesvile was a member of the Class of 1964. His photograph appears among those of the graduating seniors in the 1964 Tychoberahn.