Obituaries
Recent obituaries in Madison, WI
The obituaries in the Madison, WI Area reflect the region's diverse population, featuring individuals from a variety of ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. Some were pioneers in their fields, while others dedicated their lives to community service or philanthropy. Their stories serve as a reminder of the richness and complexity Madison's history and identity.
Louise Ilene Beckwith
Jan 18, 2026
Stoughton, WI – Louise Ilene Beckwith, age 95, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Skaalen Home Assisted Living, a place she served and loved for many years.
Louise was born on February 7, 1930, in Blanchardville, Wisconsin, the daughter of Morris and Dora (Moe) Hermanson. She graduated from Blanchardville High School and later moved to Stoughton, where she...
Nick Baldarotta
Jan 16, 2026
Nick Baldarotta passed away peacefully at home on January 16, 2026. He was one week short of his 98th birthday.
Nick was born in Madison, Wisconsin on January 23rd, 1928, to Italian immigrant parents from Sicily. He lived in Madison his entire life proudly growing up in Madison's Greenbush neighborhood. He graduated from Madison Central High School in 1946 and received...
Karen S. Johannsen
Dec 26, 2025
Karen Sue Johannsen, age 66, passed away at UW Hospital on December 26, 2025.
Karen was born June 3,1959 in Davenport Iowa. Karen and her family moved to Madison in 1960. She was a West High School graduate, class of 1977. She was a very proud Florida Gator, receiving her bachelors degree in Horticulture from University of Florida in 1981. Karen...
Lowell Bakken
Jan 13, 2026
Lowell Bakken, age 90, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2026, in Madison, the city where he was born on April 11, 1935, and proudly spent his life.
Lowell graduated from Madison West High School in 1953. In 1954, he entered the United States Marine Corps, serving his country with honor, and was stationed at Camp Lejeune until 1958. After completing...
James Richard Sime
Jan 22, 2026
James Richard Sime
January 19, 1932 - January 22, 2026
James Richard Sime of Middleton, Wisconsin, passed away on January 22, 2026, just three days after celebrating his 94th birthday. A man who never let anyone else's labels define him, Jim lived authentically and taught those around him to do the same.
Born in Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin, to Adolph and Margaret (Hackett) Sime....
Ruth E. Sander
Jan 21, 2026
Ruth Eileen Sander, a loving mother, grandmother, great‑grandmother, and treasured friend, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026, at the age of 94. She was born on March 11, 1931, in Prairie Farm, Wisconsin. After her marriage to Robert Sander, she made her home in Eau Claire, where she raised her family and built a strong community for more than...
Timothy Schultz
Jan 21, 2026
Timothy James Schultz Obituary
“He leaves us with a smile”
Timothy (Tim) James Schultz, known for his sense of humor, adventurous spirit and zest for life, passed away on January 21, 2026 in Waterloo, WI. Born in Racine, WI on July 20, 1948, Tim was the third son out of five children, born to Robert LaFollett and Ann Elizabeth (Betty Gamsky) Schultz....
Marcia Lynn Rainwater
Jan 18, 2026
Marcia Lynn Rainwater beloved wife, mother, grandmother, teacher and friend passed away on January 18, 2026 surrounded by her loving family. She was born August 15,1945 to Olan and Marguerite Nincehelser in Topeka Kansas.
Marcia held a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Central Arkansas and a Master’s Degree in Education from Mid-American Nazarene College. A dedicated career elementary...
Diane Marie Althaus
Jan 17, 2026
Diane Marie Althaus, age 69, of Madison, WI, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2026, at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg, WI. She was born July 17, 1956, in Woodstock, IL, to Harold and Grace Stilling, number six of nine children. She grew up in McHenry, IL; during her junior year in high school moved with her family to Cambridge, WI....
Marlene Ann Crawford
Jan 17, 2026
Marlene Ann Crawford, age 85, of Poynette, WI, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her loving family, on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
Marlene was born on July 15, 1940, to Melvin and Violet (Farr) Marks in Dane, WI. She attended St. Michael’s Catholic Grade School in Dane and later attended Lodi High School.
On February 23, 1957, she married the...
Jean Fowler Fassett Lumley
Jan 17, 2026
Jean Fowler Fassett Lumley, born September 20, 1918, passed away peacefully at 107 on January 17, 2026. She was born in Newark, NJ to Hiram Leo Fowler and Mary Grimshaw Wadsworth Fowler. She graduated from Prospect Hill Country Day School. Jean married James W. Fassett on September 28, 1940. They moved to Chatham, NJ in 1949. After raising her children,...
Robert E Forbess
Jan 16, 2026
Robert Eugene Forbess, age 99, died peacefully on January 16, 2026 at Hebron Skilled Nursing Facility - a part of the Oakwood Village University Woods - in Madison, WI.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, George Madison Forbess and Eda Forbess, his first wife Jean, and his sisters, Virigina Banks and Marjorie Stevenson as well as nephews, John Stevenson....
Marilyn Louise Heinz
Jan 16, 2026
Marilyn Louise (Literski) Heinz, age 66, of Trempealeau WI passed away on January 16th, 2026 at St Mary's Hospital in Madison, WI. She was born on May 18th, 1959 at St Francis Medical Center in LaCrosse, WI to Joe & Aggie (Henrich) Literski. She graduated from Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau High School in 1978.
On October 25th, 1980, she married Mark Heinz. They raised...
Carol Quale
Jan 16, 2026
Carol A. Quale, age 84, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 16, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital, surrounded by the love of her family.
Carol was born on August 2, 1941, the daughter of Ralph and Dorothy (Vogel) Bradley. On July 23, 1960, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, James E. Quale. Together, they built a...
Kenneth F Disch
Jan 15, 2026
Kenneth F. Disch, 82, passed away on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at UW Health East Hospital in Madison.
Ken was born on October 10, 1943 in Chicago to Francis and Helen (Dahlstrom) Disch.
He graduated from St. George High School in Illinois, graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with an undergraduate degree, and did graduate studies at Vanderbilt University in...
Jeffrey Lawrence Henderson
Jan 15, 2026
MADISON, WI – Jeffrey Lawrence Henderson, age 81, died on Thursday, January 15, 2025, after a prolonged illness. Jeff was born on December 19, 1944 in Burlington, WI. A graduate of Waterford Union High School in 1963, Jeff excelled in sports, with an emphasis in both Football and Track. Post high school, Jeff continued as part of the family tradition...
Carolyn McVey
Jan 14, 2026
Carolyn McVey, beloved mother, grandmother, educator, and community member, passed away on January 14th at the age of 84. Born on November 14, 1941, in Dayton, Ohio, she was the daughter of Dwight and Josephine Coffman. Carolyn spent her childhood on the family dairy farm, where she developed a lifelong love for gardening and animals and learned the value of...
Ina O. Smolker
Jan 14, 2026
Ina O. Smolker, age 86, passed away Wednesday, January 14, 2026 with her loving daughters by her side. A celebration of Ina's life will be held at a later date. A full obituary will be published when completed. Please share your memories of Ina.
Cress Center
6021 University Ave. Madison
(608) 238-8406
Ruth Ellen Halvorson
Jan 14, 2026
Ruth Ellen Halvorson, 76, of South Bend, Indiana passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana. She was born on November 18, 1949 in Madison, Wisconsin to the late George and Frances (Corbett) Kirch. On October 18, 1969 she married Byron Alan Halvorson who survives. She is also survived by one son, Christopher Truman...
Laurel "Lollie" Larson
Jan 13, 2026
Laurel "Lollie" Larson, age 87, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at Oakwood East.
Lollie worked at CUNA Mutual Insurance company for many years and she showed an enthusiastic helpful attitude every day. She enjoyed playing cards, golf and spending time with friends and family after she retired.
Lollie enjoyed spending time with her “Sassy Sister” friends, many neighbors and...
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