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.

Arlene Joyce Fiess

Arlene Joyce Fiess

Aug 8, 2025

Arlene J. Fiess, age 85, found eternal peace on Friday, August 8, 2025. She was born on April 3, 1940 near Westfield, WI to Otto and Ethel (Johnson) Brakebush. She was a 1958 graduate of Westfield High School and went on to graduate with her beautician’s license a year later. She married David R. Fiess on September 8, 1962.

Arlene was...

Todd W. Pink

Todd W. Pink

Aug 5, 2025

Todd W. Pink, age 46, passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. He was born on January 12, 1979 in Lancaster, Wisconsin to Clem and LuAnn (Schneider) Pink. He was a 1997 graduate of Lancaster High School. After high school, he attended Southwest Technical College and earned degrees in Welding and CNC Machining. Most recently, Todd was working in manufacturing...

Marian Balch

Marian Balch

Aug 8, 2025

For those unable to join us in person, please join us via livestream at     https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://boxcast.tv/view/funeral-of-marian-balch-m4jml50pkhlucuxh21sp__;!!B209rIdvvA!cGBKJHVcGBMIiH34grecoR6sxs5BVopoPsIVvDCR0BrNFWC-wPlswwywb1Ys-5i6SJnwUuCeGgZDYsWVn_108VX8vgQCwQ$

Marian passed away peacefully on August 8th, 2025. She was born in West Allis, WI on February 20th, 1935, to Clifford and Alta (Diller) Carlson.

Growing up near the State Fair Park, Marian was an ambassador for several years. She loved this job and met...

Roberta F McBirney

Roberta F McBirney

Jul 28, 2025

Roberta F. McBirney, 69, of Madison passed away on July 28, 2025, at Unity Point – Meriter.

Roberta was a kind and compassionate person. She is described by those that loved her as a ray of sunshine. She was always singing cheerful songs and offering kind words to those around her. Some of her favorites were church hymns, On Wisconsin, and...

Mildred Thomas

Mildred Thomas

Aug 11, 2025

Mildred Thomas, age 95, of Monona passed away on Monday, August 11, 2025. She was born in Utica, WI to Hermie and Mildred J. (Heal) Stevenson.

Following high school, Mildred graduated from beauty school in Madison. She spent most of her adult life in California living in San Diego and Century City, thoroughly enjoying her work as a hair dresser. She...

Jean M. Sproule

Jean M. Sproule

Aug 9, 2025

Jean M. Sproule passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 9, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family just two weeks after celebrating her 96th birthday. Jean was born July 26, 1929, a child of the Great Depression, to Forrest and Hazel (Carradine) Kelm in Janesville.

Jean grew up on a farm near Evansville, WI, and learned her strong work ethic...

Marvin F Meissen

Marvin F Meissen

Aug 9, 2025

Marvin F. Meissen, age 88, dedicated family man, a devoted educator, mentor, and military officer, passed away on August 9, 2025, leaving behind a profound legacy of service, scholarship, and a deep commitment to education. His life was marked by a devotion to family, learning, leadership, and community.

Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, science educator, military leader, school leader, were roles...

Denis "Denny" W. Ehrler

Denis "Denny" W. Ehrler

Aug 8, 2025

Denis "Denny" W. Ehrler, 61, of Sun Prairie, WI, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 8th, 2025, with his wife and two daughters by his bedside.

Denny was born August 11th, 1963, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Arthur Ehrler and Marla (Shupe). Denny was a 1981 graduate of Brooklyn High School and furthered his education at Kent State University where he studied...

Gurena M. Linnerud

Gurena M. Linnerud

Aug 7, 2025

An obituary will be published here soon.

For those not able to attend in person, please register at the following link to view a copy of Gurena's service:

https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=59393b3b-3cf2-423f-907b-684ef8486234

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

206 W. Prospect, P.O. Box 231, Stoughton

(608) 873-9244

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com

Brenden David Hafner

Brenden David Hafner

Aug 5, 2025

Brenden D. Hafner, age 42, passed away on August 5, 2025 at St. Mary’s Hospital in the loving arms of his mother and sister. He was born on November 18, 1982 in Madison, the beloved son of Kathleen (Schroud) Hafner and the late David L. Hafner.

Brenden graduated from Poynette High School in 2001 and dedicated his life to his family’s...

Jessa N. Goetz

Jessa N. Goetz

Aug 5, 2025

Jessa Nicholson Goetz, age 42, of Middleton, passed away on Tuesday, August 5th, 2025 at her home. She was born October 11th, 1982 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the daughter of Wes and Judy Lutz. She married James Goetz on April 9th, 2016 in Chicago.

Jessa received an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan at only 20 years old, and quickly...

Al Nettum

Al Nettum

Aug 4, 2025

Alvin D. “Al” Nettum, 72, of Stoughton passed away on August 4, 2025 at home.

He was born on September 18, 1952 to Donald and Vera (Fishbeck) Nettum.

Al is survived by his children, Keith Nettum, Brianna Pautz; siblings, Veronica (Stephen) Dengel, Karine (Donald) Aslakson, James (Julie) Nettum, Nancy Nettum Wuennenberg, Julie (Robert) Schuyler, Donald S. Nettum; also survived by his nieces,...

Victor L. Galindo

Victor L. Galindo

Aug 2, 2025

Victor Lee Galindo, 90, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 2, 2025. Born on December 23, 1934 in Pittsburgh, Kansas, Victor was a devoted husband to Alice Galindo; loving father to Alan Galindo, Andy (Kim) Galindo, and Sonja (Steve) Flowers; a loving grandfather to Justin (Erin) Tanksley, Colin (Haley) Galindo, Logan (Kat) Polack, Devin Galindo, LJ Luthringer, Kelli Luthringer, and...

Kathleen "Kathy" Johanna Aho Bruss

Kathleen "Kathy" Johanna Aho Bruss

Aug 2, 2025

Kathleen “Kathy” Johanna Aho Bruss passed away peacefully on August 2, 2025, in Waunakee, Wisconsin, with her children by her side. Kathy was born in Biwabik, Minnesota, to Edwin and Minerva (Koskela) Aho. She was raised in Embarrass, Minnesota, where she graduated from high school. She went on to earn a degree in Business Education from the University of Minnesota...

Robert G. Lee

Robert G. Lee

Aug 2, 2025

Robert G. Lee, “Bob” died peacefully at the age of 95 on August 2, 2025, surrounded by his family in Madison. Bob was born on July 27, 1930, to Lester and Eleanor Lee. The oldest of four siblings, he grew up in the Nakoma neighborhood where he learned his passion for golf and all things UW Badgers.

Bob loved his Norwegian...

Don R. Hanson

Don R. Hanson

Aug 1, 2025

Donald Russell Hanson was born November 18, 1944 at St. Mary's Hospital, Madison, WI, to Russ & Adeline (Lothe) Hanson. Don passed away peacefully on August 1, 2025 at the same hospital. Don was 80-years-young, with a strong faith, outliving 4 different cancers since age 48!

From his youth, Don was an avid outdoorsman. He was also an athlete & sports...

Diane Ann Firari

Diane Ann Firari

Jul 30, 2025

Diane Ann Firari, 92, of Madison passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at her home.

Diane was born on March 14, 1933 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Adam and Mabel (Shineldecker) Hartman. After graduating from Portage High School, Diane attended St. Olaf College in Minnesota in 1954. She then worked in the Art Department of Northwestern Mutual Insurance.

Diane was a member...

Rita Frances Reif

Rita Frances Reif

Jul 29, 2025

Rita Frances Reif, 91, of Madison, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2025, at Agrace Hospice, with family at her side.

Rita was born on August 7, 1933, in Madison, WI, to Beatrice and Lester Murray. She attended St. Raphael and Madison West High School, and earned a degree in Social Work and Recreation from The University of Wisconsin, Madison. After...

Frank Raufeisen

Frank Raufeisen

Jul 29, 2025

Frank Raufeisen peacefully reunited with his beloved wife, DeDee, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the remarkable age of 101. He was an amazing man and lived a full life.

Born in New York on Saturday, July 5, 1924, he was the son of the late Joseph Sr. and Marie Raufeisen. Joseph Sr. and Marie, originally from Switzerland, relocated back to...

Patricia L Fiedler

Patricia L Fiedler

Jul 27, 2025

Patricia L. Fiedler, age 89, of La Crosse, WI passed away on Sunday, July 27, 2025, in La Crosse. Pat was born July 6, 1936 in Mountain Lake, MN, the daughter of Minnie (Franz) and Ervin Goertzen. She married Merle L. Hale on February 16, 1957 and they were together until Merle’s death on June 21, 1973. She married Harold...

Subscribe

To Email Notifications

Subscribe to receive an email when we add new obituaries to our website. Your email will not be used for any other purpose and will not be shared. You may unsubscribe at any time.

365 Days of Grief Support

Sign up for one year of grief messages designed to offer hope and healing during difficult first year after a loss



HeartLight offers a variety of support groups, education, resources, and special programming related to grief and loss.

Learn More