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.
Stephen "Steve" Marco Miller
May 20, 2026
Stephen "Steve" Marco Miller, a prolific writer, dedicated editor, and one of the nation’s foremost experts on wooden duck decoys, passed away peacefully on May 20, 2026, in Madison, Wisconsin. He was 86 years old.
Steve was born on August 18, 1939, in DePere, Wisconsin, to Marvin and Ruth Miller. Growing up along the Fox River, he developed a lifelong passion...
Anita Durst
May 19, 2026
Anita Durst, age 100, formerly of Fitchburg, passed away peacefully, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Complete Care at Maple Grove, Madison. Anita was born on November 25, 1925, to Frank and Clara Scheffer at the farm home near Humbird, WI.
She attended local grade school and high school and graduated as class valedictorian. Anita married Louis Durst on August 7, 1946,...
Arthur G. Mayland
May 4, 2026
Arthur Mayland was born on May 8, 1929, in Racine, WI to Christine and Harrison Mayland. He passed away peacefully on May 4, 2026, with his two daughters at his side. He will be remembered as a caring and supportive husband, father, and grandfather. Art was a talented trumpet player, and music was central to his life. He met the...
Terry Nicolai
May 17, 2026
Terry Nicolai, beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away on Sunday, May 17th, after a six-year battle with Dementia.
Terry was born on January 6th, 1949, in La Crosse, Wisconsin to Arnold and Evelyn (Bahr) Nicolai. He was the second of their 11 children and grew up on a dairy farm outside of Bangor, Wisconsin. Arnold and Evelyn had 24 grandchildren...
James R. Girard
May 18, 2026
James Robert Girard of Sun Prairie died Tuesday morning from complications of dementia.
He was a life-long Wisconsinite raised in Chippewa Falls and living in the Madison area after college. Jim worked in personnel at UW Extension for many years and enjoyed traveling the World with his wife, Pamela, after retirement.
Jim is survived by his wife Pam, his son Joel and...
Paul Werth
Apr 27, 2026
Dear Paul passed away on Monday, April 27, after 9 years with multiple myeloma cancer.
Paul was born on October 26, 1943 in Watertown, WI to Elmer and Dorothy (Mueller) Werth. He grew up in Oconomowoc, where he attended St. Matthew’s grade school and Oconomowoc High School.
In 1961 he moved to Madison to attend the UW, graduating in January 1968, majoring...
Bonna Robinson
Jan 20, 2026
Bonna A. Robinson (Hatfield) died January 20,2026 after a long illness. She is survived by her three children James (Jane) Robinson, Nancy Robinson (Eugene Washington) and Daniel (Marsha) Robinson. 10 Grandchildren Ian (Alissa) Robinson, Colin (Emma) Robinson, Kelly Robinson (Chase Johnson), Connie Washington (Antonio Colla), Sean (Valerie) Washington, Corey (Brandi) Washington, Keenan Washington (Nicole Morales), Erin Washington (Pete Panagos). Alton...
Tom Muckler
Aug 28, 2025
Thomas (Tom) Bryan Muckler, 70, passed away unexpectedly on August 28, 2025 in Mazomanie, WI.
Tom was born on September 19, 1954 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Carl Muckler, Jr. and Barbara Flinn Muckler. Affectionately known by his large group of friends as “Tommy” and “Muck”, he grew up on the Westside of Madison and attended Randall School and West High School...
Don Fornasiere
Apr 21, 2026
Road Work Notice: Emerald Terrace is under construction. Please use side streets to enter back entrance on premises, thank you.
Donald L. Fornasiere, born January 13, 1933, died April 21, 2026, at age 93 in DeForest, WI at the Parkside Village Assisted Living Facility.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Fornasiere, Jr. and Clara Heiman Fornasiere Lehman, his wife...
Joyce B. Wellman
May 15, 2026
Joyce B. Wellman of Sun Prairie/Madison, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2026, at her home at Charter Assisted Living.
Joyce was born on July 13, 1928 in her family home residing in Mount Pleasant Tennessee.
A longtime resident of the Sun Prairie area, Joyce was a devoted 32-year member of the United Methodist Church in Sun Prairie. She enjoyed a...
John Francis Sullivan
May 12, 2026
John Francis Sullivan passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family and a lifetime of treasured memories on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Born on August 20, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois, to John and Margaret Sullivan, John lived a life defined by faith, family, service, and generosity. He graduated from Austin High School in 1955 and proudly served his country...
John Steven Jaeschke
Apr 9, 2026
John Steven Jaeschke, 56, of Middleton, passed away on April 9, 2026. Born on December 7, 1969, John was a man defined by his warmth, his quick wit, and a genuine kindness that he shared with everyone he met. He leaves behind a legacy of music, service, and deep devotion to his family and friends.
A gifted musician, John’s passion for...
Sarah Whelan Blake
Apr 22, 2026
Sarah Whelan Blake, 88, of Monona, Wisconsin was born on August 8, 1937 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Margaret and Augustine Whelan. She passed peacefully at home, surrounded by love, on April 22, 2026.
When asked, “What do you want your obituary to say?” she said, “They charge by the word, so just say ‘She had a good run. Google me’”. We...
Linda Ciofu Baumann
Apr 13, 2026
Dr. Linda Ciofu Baumann was a trailblazer in nursing, behavioral medicine, and interdisciplinary health education. She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing from the University of Michigan and a PhD in social psychology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Baumann integrated clinical practice, research, and teaching to advance health equity and improve patient outcomes. As...
Richard V. Trameri
Apr 4, 2026
Richard V. Trameri, age 98, of Madison passed away peacefully at home on April 4, 2026. Richard was born January 29,1928 in Madison, WI to Carlo and Pierina (Praolini) Trameri.
Richard grew up in the Greenbush Neighborhood. He graduated from Central High School in 1945. In 1946 he enlisted in the army and was stationed at the Atomic Lab in Los...
Ethel Nelson
May 20, 2026
Ethel Nelson, age 85 of Deerfield peacefully died on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at the Stoughton Hospital.
She was born on July 29, 1940 to Mathilda (Kalepp) and Edgar Sporleder. She graduated Palatine (IL) High School in 1959. Ethel married Fred Nelson on November 18, 1961. Together they raised three children: Richard (Roxane Schiller), Christine Schaefer and Holly Nelson.
Ethel was a...
Mary Ann Rehberg
May 19, 2026
Mary Ann Rehberg, age 93, passed away on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. She was born on August 4, 1932, in Tupelo, Mississippi, to Harvey and Mildred Tenpas.
Mary Ann received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and soon after married Richard Rehberg. They traveled extensively, both within the United States and throughout the world. Together, they settled...
Michael Lane Mehtala
May 19, 2026
Michael Lane Mehtala, age 54, passed away unexpectedly on May 19, 2026, at Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin.
Mike was born on December 2, 1971, in Madison, the son of John and Bonnie (Mitchell) Mehtala. Mike grew up during simpler times in Sun Prairie with his sister and brother, and graduated from Sun Prairie High School. Mike followed his father‘s path...
Judith "Judy" Anne Strauser
May 18, 2026
Judith “Judy” Anne Strauser, 86, died May 18, 2026, of natural causes.
Born on March 11, 1940, to Clement and Letitia Ketchum, where they lived in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. She graduated from Two Rivers High School and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she met her future husband, Robert “Bob” Ross Strauser. They married on June 29, 1963.
Judy and Bob remained lovingly...
Dirk Anker Christensen
May 18, 2026
Dirk Anker Christensen, age 60, of Madison, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on May 18, 2026.
Dirk was born on October 25, 1965 in Madison to Robert and Theodora Christensen. He graduated from West High School in 1983 and then attended UW Oshkosh.
As a social young man, Dirk gravitated towards the hospitality industry, cutting his teeth on...
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.