Obituary: Marcella J. (Bartle) Halverson

MADISON [Wisconsin] - Marcella J. Halverson, age 95, died peacefully on Sunday, April 28, 2002, at St. Marys Health Care Center. She was born on Aug. 10, 1906, in Dodgeville, Wis., the daughter of Charles and Catherine (O'Neill) Bartle. Marcella went to Dodgeville Elementary School in Dodgeville and St. Patrick's Grade School, Madison. She then attended Madison Central High School and was salutatorian of her class. After high school, she attended Madison Vocational School for two years to receive her degree to become a secretary for the Public Service Commission. On Feb. 2, 1924, Marcella was united in marriage to Herman Halverson at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Madison. She was a member of the American Business Women's Association and the Women's Auxillary of the Elks Club. Marcella was a very professional business woman who loved to sew. For 55 years she and her husband owned and operated Halverson Dry Cleaning. Marcella is survived by her three children, Leo (Ruth) Halverson of Madison, Marcia (Paul) duVair of Madison, and Robert Halverson of Florida; 10 grandchildren, LyAnn, Leslie, Leo III "Chip," John "Ole," Kaia, Suzanne, Elise, Robert Jr., David and Jon; eight great-grandchildren; and a sister, Charlotte Martin of Madison. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Marcella is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Herman Leo Sr.; and two sisters Kathryn Britt and Helen Fergen. Funeral services will be held at ST. PATRICK'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 404 E. Main St., Madison, on Thursday, May 2, 2002, at 10 a.m., with Father William Seipp officiating. Burial will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call the church on Thursday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to St. Marys Health Care Center, 1347 Fish Hatchery Road, Madison, WI 53715. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Alt, Dr. Pearson, Dr. DiMaggio, and the staff at St. Marys Hospital and Health Care Center for their very exceptional and wonderful care given. Ryan Funeral Home 2418 N. Sherman Ave. (608) 249-8257

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 30, 2002; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Obituary: Patricia Pat (Doyle) Bauhs - Class of 1943

MADISON [Wisconsin] - Patricia Pat Bauhs, age 76, died on Friday, April 26, 2002, at Meriter Hospital. Born Patricia Ann Doyle in Chicago, Ill., on Dec. 29, 1925, Patricia was a longtime member of Blessed Sacrament Parish, and was more recently a member of St. Maria Goretti Parish. Pat graduated from Central High School in 1943, where she made lifelong friends. She married her soul mate Richard S. Bauhs on Oct. 30, 1948, at St. Raphael Cathedral and devoted her life to caring for her family. She is survived by her loving husband, Richard S. Bauhs; 10 children, Mary Pat (Michael) Feifarek, Teresa (Robert) Zimmerman, Julie Bauhs, Caryl (Jason Rollette) Bauhs, Richard J. (Betty) Bauhs, Jane Bauhs, John L. (Louise) Bauhs, William (Jeanne Kuchenbecker) Bauhs, Greg Bauhs, and Nancy (David) Kuhlman. She is blessed with 11 grandchildren, Matthew and Ben Feifarek, Charles and Luke Zimmerman, Maggie and Lucy Rorge, Richard and Brian Bauhs, Katie Stoughton, and Anna and Kayla Bauhs. Pat is also survived by two sisters, Mary (Ken) Urso and Jean (Ted) Maglio; sisters and brothers-in-law, and many nieces, nephews and friends. Patricia was preceded in death by her parents. Leo Pat and Nina Doyle; her husbands parents, John and Caroline Bauhs; her brother, James Doyle; her brother-in-law, Edward Ned Fauerbach; and her dear aunt, Ervilla North. Funeral services will be held at ST. MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC CHURCH, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 29, 2002, with Monsignor Michael Burke officiating. Visitation begins at 10 a.m. Monday, prior to mass at the church, with burial following at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. In lieu flowers, donations are welcome to the American Lung Association and/or the American Cancer Society. The family also wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the Intensive Care Unit at Meriter Hospital. The Morning Rises, stretches, slowly opens her bright eye, searches the quiet horizon for something rare to celebrate, something new to bless with light, something worthy of her warmth, something worthy of her rising; something, someone, you. -Charles Chigna Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home 5701 Odana Road 608-274-1000

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 29, 2002; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Obituary: Mary M. (Endres) Sullivan - Class of 1944

MADISON [Wisconsin] - Mary M. Sullivan, age 76, of Madison, died on Monday, April 22, 2002, at a local hospital. She was born on April 7, 1926, in Cross Plains, the daughter of Michael and Gertrude (Boehnen) Endres. Mary graduated from Madison Central High School in 1944. She married William Sullivan on Aug. 6, 1949, at St. Raphael's Cathedral. Mary worked for the Department of Social Services. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, past director of Queen of Peace funeral choir, past director of Immaculate Heart of Mary funeral choir, a past member of the Queens Guild, and director of Glendale Neighborhood Association. Mary was an avid gardener, and enthusiastically supported her grandchildren's activities. Bill and Mary attended youth soccer, baseball, and basketball games, as well as children's concerts and plays. They were "adopted" as team grandparents for most of their grandchildren's events. Mary is survived by her sons, Pat (Kathryn) Sullivan of Madison, and Jerry (fiancee Sheri and her daughter, Vanessa) Sullivan of Middleton; five grandchildren, Andrew, Ian, Chelsea, Hannah and Libby; a sister, Katie (Fran) Wagner of Sun Prairie; two brothers, Michael (Anne) Endres of Sun Prairie, and James Endres of Florida; a sister-in-law, Barb Endres of Monona; and a brother-in-law, Dick (Pat) Sullivan of Madison. She was preceded in death by her husband, William, in September 2001; her parents; brothers, Joseph and William; and sisters, Viola, Mildred, Evangeline and Mary Therese. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 26, 2002, with Father John Meinholz presiding. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery. Friends may call at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Madison Inc., PO Box 5210, Madison, WI 53705-0210, in Mary's name. Gunderson East Funeral Home 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

Originally published by the Wisconsin State Journal on April 25, 2002; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Obituary: Del Michael Converse - Class of 1967

MIDDLETON [Wisconsin] - Del Michael Converse, age 53, passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2002. Del was born in Superior, Wis., on Nov. 24, 1948, to Michael R. Converse and Audrey I. Johnson Converse. He was raised in Madison and was a 1967 graduate of Madison Central High School. He attended Madison Area Technical College and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Del enlisted in the U.S. Army where he proudly served a full career. His military service took him to the West Point Military Academy, the Pentagon, and two tours of duty in Germany. Del ultimately attained the rank of sergeant. In recent years, Del worked for the Army Corps of Engineers in Louisville, Ky. He will be deeply missed as a son, father, brother, uncle, partner and friend. Del is survived by four children, Eric (Karyn) Saemann of Deerfield, Del Andrew Kolasinski of New Berlin, Russell Converse of West Lafayette, Ind., and Michelle Converse of Arlington, Tenn. He is further survived by his mother, Audrey I. Converse of Madison; his father, Michael R. Converse of DeForest; sisters Pam Britton of Waunakee, and Kimberly Lee Converse of Janesville; and brother, Gregory Lee Converse of Madison; his partner, Debbie Detzer of Indiana; three nephews, Daniel Cashin of Madison, and Matthew Cashin and Michael Cashin of Janesville; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. A memorial service in celebration of Del's life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 26, 2002, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road. The Rev. David Swenson will officiate. Friends may gather on Friday from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the William S. Middleton Veterans Memorial Hospital, 2500 Overlook Terrace, Madison, WI 53705. Cress Funeral Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in The Capital Times on April 25, 2002; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Obituary: Dr. Robert Droster Jackson - Class of 1938

MADISON [Wisconsin] - Dr. Robert Doster Jackson, age 82, of Waunakee, died Monday, April 22, 2002, at Meriter Hospital in Madison, following a short illness. He was born in Madison on Jan. 3, 1920, the son of Dr. James A. Jackson Jr. and Lillian A. (Young) Jackson. Robert, known as "Bob" to family and friends, graduated from Madison Central High School, received an undergraduate degree from the UW-Madison and an M.D. from the University of Wisconsin Medical School. He graduated from the Menninger School of Psychiatry in Topeka, Kansas, in 1968. During World War II, he served in the Pacific on the aircraft carrier USS Essex. Bob's family founded Madison's Jackson Clinic and built the city's first hospital after the Civil War. He was the fourth generation of his family to practice medicine and surgery in Wisconsin. His father and uncles founded the Jackson Clinic. He was the grandson of Dr. James A. Jackson Sr., a surgeon with the Wisconsin Eagle Regiment during the Civil War, and the great-grandson of Dr. William Hobbins, one of Madison's first white settlers. A psychiatrist later in his career, Bob at first practiced general medicine, surgery and obstetrics in Lancaster and Madison. He was the last physician in the Jackson family to practice in the old Jackson Clinic, 345 W. Washington Ave., before it became a part of the Physicians Plus organization in the late 1980s. Bob was also a sportsman and active in civic affairs throughout his career. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Anne "Marmie" (Morse) Jackson; by seven children, Robert J. (Mary) of Madison, Michael M. (Laurie) of Topeka, Kan., Elizabeth C. (Daniel) Spielmann of Marquette, Mich., Julie A. (Walter) Potter of Georgetown, Texas, E. Jonathan (Jennifer) of Pleasant Prairie, Wis., Peter C. of Madison, and Margaret H. (Randall) Meder of Raleigh, N.C.; 12 grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and three sisters, Jeanne Johnson of Madison, Claire Kemp of Santa Fe, N.M., and Ann Pilcher of Orono, Maine. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, James A. Jackson, Jr. Funeral services will be held at 10:45 a.m. Thursday, April 25, 2002, at ST. DUNSTAN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 6205 University Ave. A reception will be held at the church at 10 a.m. Internment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Madison Public Library.


Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 24, 2002; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Note (added 1/10/2009): Robert Droster Jackson's class year is based on information in the 1938 Orange & Black yearbook, where is is listed among the June graduates as "Bob Jackson." The yearbook also indicates that he was class president.

Obituary: Adelaide M. Wilke

MADISON [Wisconsin] - Adelaide M. Wilke, age 98, of Madison, passed away at Meriter Hospital on Tuesday, April 2, 2002. She was born June 6, 1903, in Superior to the Reverend Otto J. and Clara Beck Wilke. She attended Brayton Elementary School and Madison Central High School. She was employed as a secretary with the Madison Public Health Department for over forty years until her retirement. Her love of flowers also led to working part-time at the Middleton Flower Shop for several years following her retirement. She was a lifelong member of St. Johns Lutheran Church, Madison where her father and grandfather were founding clergy and she served as the organist. She was the organist at Lakeview Lutheran Church, Madison and was the accompanist for the Grieg Chorus for many years. She was formerly a member of the Madison chapter of Questers. Addie was a volunteer with many groups throughout her lifetime, including University Hospital, where she had been recognized as a special contributor, and at Oakwood Nursing Home. She had many interests including knitting, traveling, gardening, Madison history and her many friends. She is survived by her beloved niece, Ann Milne (Justice William Bablitch) of Madison. She was preceded in death by her sister, Erna Milne of Madison, on March 10, 2002. Addie and Erna were not only sisters but best of friends and had been living together for the past three years. They wintered in Naples, Florida for the past ten years. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 5, 2002, at ST JOHNS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 322 E. Washington Ave., Madison. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Johns Lutheran Church or HospiceCare, Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711. Addies family would like to thank all of her many friends and relatives who showed such a special fondness for her. Addie loved to laugh and entertain and always had a little something for everyone who stopped by to visit. She will be remembered for her generosity. Wherever she went she attracted friends and admirers. To meet Addie was to love her. Informed Choice Funeral and Cremation Alternatives 5801 Highway 51, P.O. Box 105 McFarland, WI 53558 (608) 838-0536

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 3, 2002; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Obituary: Norris Lee (Dutch) Demont

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. - Norris Lee Demont (Dutch), age 76, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 23, 2002, in Scottsdale, Ariz. She was born in Madison, Wis., on March 5, 1926, to Nathan and Rachel (Sweet) Dutch. She graduated from Central High School, and was a loving mother to her children. She led a wonderful life. She is survived by her two sons, Cary of Minneapolis, Minn., and Robert of Madison; a brother, Sherman Dutch of Madison; and a sister, Sylvia Sweet of Hollywood, Fla. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 26, 2002, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Hadassah. Cress Funeral Service (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on March 25-26, 2002; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Obituary: Virginia Mae (McGrath) Kalscheur

MOUNT HOREB [Wisconsin] - Virginia Mae Kalscheur, age 80, of Mount Horeb, died unexpectedly on Sunday, March 17, 2002. The former Virginia Mae McGrath was born on May 24, 1921, in Madison to William and Gladys (Kitchen) McGrath. She graduated from Madison Central High School and attended Edgewood College. Virginia was married to Walter Kalscheur on Oct. 18, 1947, at St. Raphael's Catholic Church, Madison. She was a member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Mount Horeb, was an active participant in its Altar Society and taught religious classes. She was a member of the Mount Horeb American Legion Auxiliary, Homemakers, and was a Cub Scouts den mother for a number of years. Virginia, along with her husband, operated Kalscheur's Fine Foods in Muscoda, Wis., from 1951 until 1959 and in Mount Horeb from 1960 until 1986. They spent their early retirement traveling in the Southwest. Virginia loved to cook and collected a multitude of recipes over the years that she shared with many family and friends. She enjoyed playing cards, especially bridge and euchre. Virginia is survived by her children, Mary of Laurel, Md., Donna (David) Poortenga of Brandon, Wis., Jean of Richmond, Ky., Bill (Vicki) of Mount Horeb, James of Platteville, Wis., Patti (Noe) Mateo of Farmington Hills, Mich., and Mark (Sonya) of Menomonie, Wis. She is further survived by her grandchildren, Aaron, Joshua and Caitlyn Kalscheur, David, Allison and Marielle Mateo, and Samuel, Nathan and Madalyn Kalscheur; her sister, Marilyn (Edward) Grzenia of Madison; and many relatives and friends, including Ruth Heidelbach. She was preceded in death by her husband, in 1991; two infant children; her parents; and her sister, Delores Harris. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 21, 2002 at ST. IGNATIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH, Mount Horeb, with Father Paul Arinze officiating. Burial will be at the St. Ignatius Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 7 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2002, at ELLESTAD FUNERAL HOME, 500 N. Eighth St., Mount Horeb. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Mount Horeb Community Foundation. May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on March 19, 2002; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Beatrice Jane Smith Wagner - Class of 1942

CEDAR PARK, TEXAS - Beatrice Jane Smith was born on Aug. 12, 1923, in Madison, Wis., to Cora and Erwin Smith. In 1941, her father died leaving Beatrice and her mother to run a rooming house together. She graduated from Central High School in Madison, Wis. in 1942. Her brother, Gordon was lost in Australia briefly in World War II, but Beatrice was able to serve proudly as a USO worker during those difficult times. Beatrice was a avid ballroom dancer at the USO dancing to the Big Band sounds. She worked for a brief time in Chicago at the Lyon and Healy Music Store meeting many recording artists of the time. In 1960, she married John A. Wagner, and became a instant mother to a 4 year old daughter. She raised Michelle as her own with love and devotion. Beatrice worked in retail sales (including 13 years for Pranges Dept. Store in Madison) while Michelle was growing up. In 1984, Beatrice and John moved to Texas. She is survived by her husband of over 41 years, John; daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and Jim Bittick in Cedar Park; step-daughter, Pat and Henry Fredenberg in Sun Prairie, Wis. and their children; granddaughters, Michelle Fredenberg, Sun Prairie, Wis., Marcy and Bill Grassa and two great-grandsons in St. Cloud, Fla.; and a grandson, Garth also in Wisconsin. Mrs. Wagner is also survived by her sister-in-law and dear friend, Dolores Smith of Madison, Wis. Mrs. Wagner was preceded in death by her parents; an infant twin sister; her brother; and a step-daughter and grandson, Naomi and Scott Fredenberg. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 23, 2002, at BECK FUNERAL HOME, Cedar Park location. Arrangements under the direction of Beck Funeral Home, Cedar Park/Leander (512) 259-1610. Rest well, my dear Mother. May Heaven be full of the Big Band Sound so you may dance and tap your feet to the beat.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on March 17, 2002; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Obituary: Virginia (Bullis) Brockman - Class of 1945

MADISON [Wisconsin] - Virginia (Bullis) Brockman of Madison passed away on Thursday, March 14, 2002, due to COPD, surrounded by family, at the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center. She was born on June 7, 1927, in Waukesha, the daughter of Lloyd and Kathleen Bullis. She graduated from Madison Central High School in 1945 and continued on to what is now the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where she met Arthur Brockman. They married on July 7, 1951. Virginia was employed at the Plaza True Value for 17 years. She loved to read and collect cook books. Virginia always put family before herself. She will be greatly missed. Virginia is survived by her husband, Arthur; four children, Kathy (Dan) Kohlhagen, Marsha (Steve) Tortorice, Lori (Harold) Hobbs and Dale (Lisa) Brockman; six grandchildren, Laura and Derek Kohlhagen, Michael and Gina Tortorice, and Jeremy and David Hobbs; mother, Kathleen Bullis; and her sister, Noreen (Don) Severson. A memorial service will be held at OUR SAVIOUR'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1201 Droster Road, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 17, 2002. The Rev. Brad Homan will preside. Family and friends may call at the church from noon until the time of the service on Sunday. A precious one has left us, A voice we love is stilled. An empty place is in our lives That never can be filled. God saw her getting weary And did what seemed the best, Just came and stood beside her And whispered, "Come and rest." Gunderson East Funeral Home (608) 221-5420


Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on March 15, 2002; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)