MADISON—Ann Kathryn Wallace, age 83, passed away on August 4, 2026 at St. Mary’s Hospital with complications from cancer. She was born on August 10, 1942, in Sparta, Wisconsin, to Harrison and Madeline Wallace.

After beginning her education at a one-room country school, she graduated as valedictorian of the Ontario High School class of 1959 and earned her degree in sociology with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1963.

Except for a year in New York City and another in Santa Cruz, California, her entire working career was spent at the UW-Madison in the Department of Sociology and in the School of Education Dean’s Office, from which she retired in 2005 as an assistant dean. In 1988, she became the first chair of the academic staff Personnel Policies and Procedures Committee, represented her district in the Academic Staff Assembly, and helped to organize the Academic Staff Mentoring Program.

She served on the board of the Opera Props for the University Opera, on the School of Education’s Board of Visitors, and, for the City of Madison, a term on the former Civic Center Commission. Her principal volunteer responsibility in retirement was as executive director of the UW-Madison Retirement Association from 2006 until 2018. In 2020, Ann moved to Oakwood Village-University Woods, a senior community, where she chaired the Life Enrichment Committee and “20 Chat Groups” for new residents.

Survivors include her sister Jean Wallace-Baker (Owen Hoitomt), niece Karina Gruber (John), nephews Christopher Eliason (Michelle), and Charles Baker, grandniece Jessica Gruber, and grandnephew Ryan Gruber (Allie).

She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Gay Eliason and Dorothy McCoy, brothers Jon Wallace and Max Wallace, brothers-in-law James Baker and Albert McCoy, sister-in-law, Donna Davis, nephew Michael McCoy, and niece Roberta McCoy Held.

A Celebration of Ann’s Life will be held in the auditorium in Oakwood Village- University Woods, on September 17th at 11 am. A luncheon will follow at the Village Inn within Oakwood Village.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the University of Wisconsin Foundation (1848 University Avenue, Madison WI 53726) in one or more of the accounts held there in her name: the Academic Staff Professional Development Fund, the School of Education Academic Staff Awards Fund, or the Career Achievement Award Fund.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services

3610 Speedway Rd Madison

608-238-3434