Obituary - Ronald H. Burrows

MADISON - Ronald H. Burrows, age 62, passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2014, at St. Mary's Hospital. Per Ron's wishes, services will be private.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on July 19, 2014. Submitted by Cathy Swanson-Hayes (Class of 1966), sister of Ron Burrows.

Per Cathy's request, reprinted below is the long version of her brother's obituary, which was published on the Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care website: 

Obituary for Ronald H. Burrows 

Early the morning of July 17, 2014, Ron joined an extended family of loved ones and friends. He had taken steps to avoid pancreatic cancer, and he fought with determination and grace.

There are many people who were involved in his care that the family would like to thank, but the names are endless. Please know how grateful he was for each of you, beginning with Dr. Cambray who got the ball rolling with his concern for Ron's health; Dr. Matzke and the entire staff of St. Mary's Outpatient Care as well as the St. Mary's hospital staff were beams of light in a tough journey; and Dr. O'Mahar who carried him through his cancer treatment journey. He was indeed blessed by the care, concern, and cheering on of everyone involved. Because of that, he was determined to get healthy again.

Ron is survived by his sister, Cathy (John) Swanson-Hayes, his daughter Emily, and life partner Laurie Peterson, along with his dear friends, nephews and nieces. He had most recently lost another sister-Terry Burrows Orvold-who resided in Seattle.

The family is planning a service that will be announced at a later date when the timing is more comfortable.

Ron, where you are now we know you are riding a bike, walking a dog, swinging a bat and running bases again, riding white caps on a lake, tending to your tomatoes and peppers, strolling through farm fields, or at a pool table showing someone how a table run is done. He is now surrounded by many friends, family members, and animals alike who have gone before him. With consistent and contagious compassion, Ron always cherished the simplicity of life, reminding us each day to "Live simply so others may simply live." 

Note: Ron Burrows attended Madison Central High School, and is therefore an alumnus. However, according to his sister, Cathy: "My brother Ron also attended Central, did not graduate from there, but got his GED after attending East, after Central closed. Just as Central was about to close, my father died after being critically ill for seven years, which was most difficult for my younger bother, and negatively impacted his switch to a different high school, as it did for Terry and I as we finished at Central."

Obituary: Margaret Theresa (Fiscus) Moen

MONONA - Margaret Theresa Moen, age 66, of Monona, died on Sept. 30, 2013, at her home after a brief and dignified battle with brain cancer. She was born on Oct. 3, 1946, in Madison, to Mary and Leslie Fiscus.

Margaret was a life-long Madisonian. Although a mid-high school family move had her graduating high school from Monona Grove, her heart was always at Central High in the heart of the city. After a year at UW-Whitewater, she went on to spend her time raising her three children, working in many food service locales, and retiring from her work in food service at the Madison Metropolitan school district.

She married Henry B. Moen in June of 2001 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. At home, she enjoyed cooking, challenging crossword puzzles, and reading. Her family and friends were important to her, and spending time socializing was always at the top of her list. She especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends whom she could beat at Euchre.

Margaret is survived by her husband, Henry; her daughters, Laura (Michael) Saunders, and Sarah (Donovan) Johnson; five grandchildren, Sydney, Ashley, Mason, Donovan, and Anna; stepchildren, Scott (Denise) Moen and Kim (Ron) Weum, and their children, Ryan, Jack, Dalton, and Tyler; two sisters, Mary Ann Ahrensmeyer, and Angie Fiscus; brother, James Fiscus; three nephews; ten nieces; their spouses; and many great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant sister, Elizabeth Fiscus; and her beloved son, Matthew Thomas Rounds.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013, with the Rev. John Silva presiding. Inurnment will be at Sacred Hearts Cemetery in Sun Prairie. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 7, 2013, as well as from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare.

The family would like to thank Agrace HospiceCare for the wonderful care they provided for Margaret.  

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on October 5, 2013. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968).

Obituary: Diane Janice (Schultz) Strassman - Class of 1970

OREGON - The beautiful life of Diane Janice (Schultz) Strassman, age 60, ended Feb. 23, 2013. She was surrounded and comforted by her family as she was listening to one of her favorite musicians, Tina Turner. Born April 16, 1952, in Madison, the third child of Donald and Eleanor (Lawry) Schultz, she graduated from Central High School in spring of 1970 and married her high school sweetheart Donald Strassman on Aug. 21, 1971. Diane and Don made life long careers together running an electrical business in the Madison area; Diane played a critical role as office manager of their self-started business, Capital City Electric. This allowed Diane to have a dual career as a stay-at-home and work-at-home Mom. Diane was often known to be up in the wee morning hours working the books for the business so that she could spend the days and nights providing a warm and loving home for her two children, and her four grandchildren who were the light of her life. Extended friends and family were always warmly welcomed into the home and many people think of Diane fondly as a "second mom" to them. Diane is famous for her singing skills, especially her ability to be the life of the party and find fun entertaining songs on Karaoke nights. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed creating dishes with her husband to share with the family. She truly enjoyed sitting outside and looking at the birds and her flowers and sipping a martini with the love of her life, Don. Most of all she loved being with family - she will be greatly missed for her unconditional love for all people from her husband, to her daughters, to her sons-in-law, to her nieces and nephews, brother and sisters, and all of the friends of those people...Diane had one of the most kind and genuine hearts anyone has ever seen. Her smile, warmth and true passion for caring was contagious. We will let it be known though that if you were to enter into a snowball fight with her, you were bound to lose! Although Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS) made these things terrifically difficult for Diane to enjoy and partake in, everyone around her was moved by the strength and courage that she had to beat the disease for as long as she could. She is a gem, a true gift to the people who met her and to whom she was able to touch through the gift of her own life. Survivors include her husband of 41 years, Donald "Don" children Lynea (Aaron) LaVoy, Ashley (Brian) Anderson; grandchildren, Evelyn, Nolan and Alivia LaVoy, and Audrey Anderson; mother and father, Donald and Eleanor Schultz; brother, Gerald (Joan) Schultz; and sisters, Gloria (Tom) Swayzee and Karen (Dave) McGaw. She is further survived by her brother-in-law, David (Cheryl) Strassman; and sisters-in-law, Cindy (Roger) Beck, Cathy (Marva Becker) Strassman, Mary (Mark) Grosse, Christina (Jim) Nygren, and Lisa (Tom) Robson. Diane was preceded in death by her mother and father-in law, Grace and August Strassman. Funeral Services will be held at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL HOME, 1150 Park St., Oregon, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and also on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Memorial contributions are welcome to the family in lieu of flowers. The family would like to thank Agrace HospiceCare for their support and care, with special thanks to mom's Valentine's Melissa, Amanda and Jessica. Diane requested that people not wear gloomy colors to her services! Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com Gunderson Oregon Funeral & Cremation Care 1150 Park St. (608) 835-3515

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on February 25, 2013. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968) 

 Diane Janice (Schultz) Strassman is a Madison Central High School alumna because she attended CHS for several years prior to transferring to James Madison Memorial High School, where she graduated in 1970, because Central closed in 1969.

Obituary: Craig Carleton Hill

MADISON [Wisconsin]  - Craig Carleton Hill, age 59, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012, at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg, after a brief and courageous battle with lung cancer.

Craig was born on Oct. 23, 1952, the son of Jerry and Berdine Hill, and grew up on the south side of Madison with the Arboretum as his playground. He attended Central High School until its closing in 1969, graduating from West High a year later but always thought of himself as a Central High alum and a Southsider through and through. After high school, Craig enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving aboard the USS Enterprise during the Vietnam Conflict. He was a lifetime member of VFW Post No. 1318 and a 35 year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local No. 159 as a master electrician. He was thankful to have had the opportunity at the end of his life to spend the last few months traveling with his family and was proud to complete his lifelong goal of visiting all 50 states. Craig was an avid outdoorsman, who especially loved hunting and fishing. He will be eternally grateful to Mud and Helen Lee and their family for sharing their cabin with him during deer season for the past 47 years. In 1979, he married "his best pal" Peggy Polk at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. His first son, Jeremy (Becca Hayward) of Chicago was born in 1983, followed by Hunter (Amanda Fath) of Madison in 1985. He was always very proud of "his boys'" achievements.

He was survived by his wife; his sons; sisters, Linda Hill of Madison and Maren Hill of Stoughton; his brother, Jay (Chris) Hill of Madison; sisters-in-law, Mary (John) Witte, Judy (Gary) Weimer, Theresa (Paul) Streib, and Anne (Bruce) Andrysczyk; brothers-in-law, John (Nancy) Polk, Jim (Sue) Polk, and George (Peggy) Polk; and too many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews to list. He is also survived by his faithful hunting partner, Mollie, his English Springer Spaniel. He was preceded in death by his parents; his maternal grandparents, Emil and Alice Reinholtz; paternal grandparents, Stan and Helen Hill; his uncles, Don Spaith, Stan Reinholtz, and Stan Hill; brother-in-law, Mark Hlavek; in-laws, Glenn and Ruth Polk; niece, Bridget Polk; and previous Springer Spaniels, Famous and Babe.

A Celebration of Craig's Life will be held at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL HOME, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m., with a short service at the end of the celebration, on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family in order to fund the beautification project on the Southside. Gunderson Fitchburg Funeral & Cremation Care 2950 Chapel Valley Road (608) 442-5002

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on August 3, 2012 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968) 

Craig Carleton Hill  is a Madison Central High School alumnus because he attended CHS for several years prior to transferring to West because Central closed in 1969.

Obituary: Mark H. LaFlash

MADISON - Mark H. LaFlash, age 60, died of heart failure on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011, at University Hospital in Madison.

He was born Jan. 9, 1951, the son of Walter Jr. and Bernice (Birrenkott) LaFlash in Madison. Mark attended Central High School, and graduated from West High School. He loved and was very dedicated to his family, his friends, and his job at Meriter Hospital where he was employed in Environmental Services for more than 30 years. Mark was a true survivor overcoming cancer, and leukemia in his younger years. He was a very devoted son to his mother Bernice, and a volunteer for the Meals on Wheels program. His interests included sports, cars and politics. Mark was a member of St. James Catholic Church.

He is survived by nephews, Jason LaFlash, Chad LaFlash, Andrew LaFlash and Philp Gold; nieces, Caitlin LaFlash, Emily LaFlash and Marissa Gold; aunt, Rosie Werren; sisters-in-law, Susan LaFlash and Sharolyn LaFlash; and a brother-in-law, Auric Gold.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Jr. and Bernice LaFlash; brothers, John, Steve and Jim; and a sister, Mary.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, at GOOD SHEPHERD PARISH / ST. JAMES CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1128 St. James Court, Madison, WI 53715, with visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church.

Memorial donations may be made in Mark's name to The American Heart Association, 2850 Dairy Drive, Madison, WI 53718; or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 1311 Mamaroneck Ave., Suite 310, White Plains, NY 10605.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on October 27, 2011 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968).

Mark H. LaFlash is a Madison Central High School alumnus because he attended CHS for several years prior to transferring to West because Central closed in 1969.

Obituary: Julie Ann (Harrington) Washa

MONONA/NORTH FREEDOM - Julie Ann Washa passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011.

She was born on June 14, 1952, the daughter of John and Harriet Montague Harrington. Julie attended Central High School. After Central closed, she graduated from West High School in 1970. She loved cardinals and collected anything with a cardinal on it. Julie enjoyed crossword puzzles, word search puzzles and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoyed the simple things in life.

Julie is survived by her sons, Frank Washa (Doreen Brokmeier), Jeremy (Toni) Washa; significant other, Gary Morgan; grandchildren, Courtney, Austin, Cade and Ryne; brothers and sisters, Gina Emmerson, Jim (LouAnn) Harrington, Barb (William) Miller, Susan (Sonny) Cliffcorn; sister-in-law, Maria Harrington; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Geraldine Eagan; and brothers, Ron Harrington and Jack Harrington.

A memorial service will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011. Visitation will be at the church from 1 p.m. until the time of service on Saturday.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 21, 2011 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968)

Julie Ann (Harrington) Washa is a Madison Central High School alumna because she attended CHS for several years prior to transferring to West because Central closed in 1969.

Obituary: Sylvan Sweet

MADISON - Sylvan Sweet, age 93, died peacefully on Thursday, April 28, 2011. Sylvan was born March 26, 1918, in Madison to Harry Rueven Sweet and Anna Perlstein Sweet. Sylvan attended Longfellow Elementary School, Madison Central Junior High School and graduated from Madison West H.S. in 1936. He attended University of Wisconsin briefly and then went to work for the AJ Sweet Company, which was founded by his father and uncles. He began his career selling cars with Ray L. Schappe on April 15, 1951, and worked there for many years. Sylvan sold used cars for 47 years in Wisconsin and California. Sylvan's greatest love was his singing. He sang with trios and local groups his entire life. He was a guest artist at many local clubs and venues but more importantly, he was the most beloved guest singer at every family wedding, bar mitzvah and family gathering. Sylvan was known for his fun loving, colorful personality and wonderful story telling of Madison history and personalities. He also loved animals, particularly dogs. Sylvan was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Anna; father, Harry; stepfather, Meyer Prosansky; brothers, Milton and Sidney Prosansky; brother, Leonard Sweet; and longtime companion, Edith McConley. He is survived by his sister, Phyllis Lefcowitz; sister-in-law, Clara Sweet; daughter, Susan (Michael) Perston; close friends, Marion Trachte and Sam Stassi; grandchildren, Amy Lisa Rosen and Matthew Rosen; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Sylvan was a lifelong member of the Madison Jewish Community and Beth Israel Center. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Hospice Residences for their loving and attentive care during Sylvan's stay there as well as Jewish Social Services of Madison. Those wishing to make contributions can make them to Beth Israel Center, Jewish Social Services of Madison or HospiceCare Inc. Funeral services will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison on Monday, May 2, 2011, at 10 a.m. "A Day without Music is a Day without Sunshine." He did it his way... Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on May 1, 2011 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968).

Sylvan Sweet is a Madison Central High School alumnus because he attended CHS for several years prior to transferring to West.

Obituary: Rodney Scheel

MADISON - Rodney Scheel, owner of Madison's popular Washington Hotel complex, died on July 12, 1990 of AIDS-related health problems. He was 39. He is survived by his partner of over 20 years, Dr. Warren Olson; and by his parents, Jo and Doc Scheel; his sister Sherry Nelson; his brother Greg Scheel; and three nephews, Shane and Shawn Doyle, and Tyler Nelson; and a niece, Rosanna Nelson.Rod also leaves scores of friends and business associates in Madison. He was a lifelong resident of Madison, and his dedication and commitment to Madison's central city will be missed. At the age of 21 in December in 1971, Rod opened his first business and managed it as though he had been born to the task. The City of Madison is indebted to Rodney for his foresight in the rebuilding and reintegration of the Hotel Washington at 636 West Washington Avenue. He was a trend-setter and a leader, and Madison has honored him and his "Hotel Family" with orchids, awards, and allegiance. Rod was a model citizen and his commitment to Madison provided countless others a model for themselves. Thank you, Rodney for your help, your courage, your encouragement, your leadership, your guts, your humor, your generosity, your love, and your friendship. Madison will not forget you and your accomplishments; and the young people in the business will always ask, "What would Rodney think?" That is a fair standard by which to judge the life of almost any person. A private memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 15. Rodney's friends are invited to attend a public memorial service at 10:30 a.m. at LUTHER MEMORIAL CHURCH, 1021 University Avenue in Madison on Saturday, July 21. Contributions in Rodney's name may be made to the Rodney Scheel House for PWA's  [Person With AIDS] care of the Washington Hotel, 636 West Washington Avenue, Madison, WI 53703. GUNDERSON FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Monona, is handling the arrangements for the family.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on July 15, 1990.

Rodney Scheel is a Madison Central High School alumnus because he attended CHS for several years prior to transferring to East because Central closed in 1969. He graduated from East in 1970, but identified himself as a Central alumnus in a February 14, 1977 Wisconsin State Journal article about his success in restoring the Washington Hotel to its "original splendor." 

For more information about Rodney Scheel as a "gay icon," please visit the History of Gay and Lesbian Life in Wisconsin page dedicated to his life and work.