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.

Charles "Chuck" Friedli

Charles "Chuck" Friedli

May 21, 2021

Stoughton – Charles F. “Chuck” Friedli, age 90, passed away on Friday May 21, 2021 at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg surrounded by his loving family.  Chuck was the first-born child of Charles and Lillian Hildreth Friedli, he was born on March 16, 1931 in Dodgeville, Wisconsin.  He married Eleanor Byers on November 2, 1957 in Madison.  Chuck worked for...

Stanley Solheim

Stanley Solheim

May 21, 2021

Stanley Robert Solheim, beloved husband of Joey and loving dad to Heather and Dawn, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2021 at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg, WI. at age 82. He will be remembered for his kindness, many friendships, enthusiasm, creativity, humor, and lifelong love of the outdoors.

Born on March 17, 1939 in Madison, WI, to...

John Powless

John Powless

May 20, 2021

John Dale Powless, 88, passed away at home Thursday, May 20th from end-stage colon cancer. He was born August 24, 1932 in Flora, Illinois, the eldest son of Cecil “Kayo” James and Mildred Marie Powless. Throughout his young life, his father’s employer, John Throgmorton, the owner of Flora’s pharmacy and soda fountain, helped him greatly, employing John as a...

Marlo Poffenberger

Marlo Poffenberger

May 20, 2021

MADISON--Marlo Inez Marie Poffenberger, 17 months, passed away on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at UW Children's Hospital, Madison. Born on December 3, 2019 at St. Mary's Hospital Madison, daughter of Jennifer Shere and Jason “Stan” Poffenberger.

Marlo Inez Marie Poffenberger danced her way to heaven on May 20, 2021 — or maybe she ran, like...

Madonna "Donna" Prough

Madonna "Donna" Prough

May 20, 2021

Stoughton – Madonna “Donna” Gay Olson Prough, age 84, of Stoughton, Wisconsin, passed on May 20, 2021, surrounded by family.  Donna was born to Bernie and Hazel Olson, April 30, 1937, on the family farm in Independence Wisconsin.   She graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1955.  She married James K Prough on February 1957 and they spent 62...

Robert "Bob" Bright

Robert "Bob" Bright

May 19, 2021

Madison - Robert Dean Bright, O.P., age 83, of Madison, Wisconsin, died of liver cancer on May 19, 2021. Bob was born in Chicago on December 4, 1937, to Albert and Lillian (Floeter) Bright. He grew up in Chicago and graduated from Carl Schurz High School in 1956. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Benedictine College...

Joy Haugen

Joy Haugen

May 19, 2021

Stoughton -Joy A. Haugen, age 83, passed away in her sleep on Thursday, May 19th, 2021 at the Nazareth Health and Rehabilitation Center in Stoughton WI.

She was born April 16, 1938 in Janesville, Wi to Paul and Irene Burnam at Mercy Hospital in Janesville, Wi. Where she attended Lincoln grade school Marshall middle school and Craig...

Mary Parker

Mary Parker

May 18, 2021

WAUNAKEE

Mary Lou Parker, age 79, of Waunakee, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at Agrace in Fitchburg, WI. She was born on January 8, 1942 in Madison, the daughter of Walter L. Wallace and Sarah O. Halvorson.  Mary was the second oldest of four children and loved all of her siblings dearly. Mary graduated...

Frank Zuerner

Frank Zuerner

May 17, 2021

Madison – Franklin C. Zuerner, age 50 of Madison passed away unexpectedly on Monday, May 17th, 2021.  Ultimately ending his long battle with mental health challenges and alcoholism.  We take comfort in knowing that he is at peace and finally free from all his struggles.

Frank graduated from James Madison Memorial high school in 1988.  He graduated...

Vivian Gerg

Vivian Gerg

May 16, 2021

Vivian Gerg, age 94, of Waunakee passed away on May 16, 2021 at Meriter Hospital in Madison. Vivian was born in Fairchild, WI on April 2, 1927 and spent most of her childhood in her beloved Sister Bay, WI. She married Arthur L Gerg in 1948 and they lived in Madison, Indiana, Milwaukee, Sparta, Madison and then to Waunakee in 1997....

Mary Ann Spahn

Mary Ann Spahn

May 16, 2021

Mary Ann Lucille (Rortvedt) Spahn, 85, of Waunakee passed away peacefully at Agrace Hospice on Sunday May 16, 2021 with her loving husband Jim, her ”Rock” by her side. She was born on December 25, 1935 to the late Marvin and Pauline (Simon) Rortvedt. She and James “Jim” met in high school and married on June 7, 1958. Mary...

Olivia Kingree

Olivia Kingree

May 16, 2021

Madison - Olivia H. Kingree, age 75, of Madison passed away on May 16, 2021 at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg. She was born on February 21, 1946, in Seattle, Washington, the daughter of Arthur Hegre and Patricia Hegre (Malsed). She attended the University of Washington and studied chemistry. She married William B. Kingree on February 16, 1968, in Seattle....

John Mahaney

John Mahaney

May 15, 2021

MADISON-John D. Mahaney, age 80, passed away on May 15, 2021 at Agrace HospiceCare, following a courageous battle with cancer, with his wife, Kitty, by his side. John was born November 30, 1940 in Fairchild, Wisconsin to John and Norma (Yule) Mahaney.

As a young boy, John spent his summers on his grandparent’s farm in Augusta, WI....

John Larson

John Larson

May 13, 2021

John Martin Larson, age 61, of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, passed away on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at Agrace Hospice. John was born in Peru, Illinois on July 28, 1959 to Joseph and Albena (Pleszczynski) Larson. He grew up in Wausau, Wisconsin, and graduated from Wausau West High School in 1977. He continued his education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison...

Angela Ghelfi

Angela Ghelfi

May 13, 2021

Sun Prairie

Angela Sue Ghelfi, age 42, of Sun Prairie passed away on Thursday, May 13, 2021, at her home. She was born on October 24, 1978 in Madison, the daughter of John Lisi and Susan Holmes. She married Shawn Willis Ghelfi on September 29, 2018 in Sun Prairie.

Angela was a graduate of Sun...

Theresa Tortorice

Theresa Tortorice

May 12, 2021

Theresa M. Tortorice passed away to eternal life on Wed., May 12, 2021 after a brief illness and is now in the loving care of our Savior Lord Jesus. She was a lifelong resident of Madison, where she attended and graduated from West High School in 1974. She went on to MATC and received her Associate’s Degree in Occupational...

Patricia Burchard

Patricia Burchard

May 12, 2021

Patricia A. Burchard (Pat, Nannie)

A lover of laundry & grocery shopping queen.

A passion for horses, birds, gardening and fishing. All things outdoors.  However, her biggest passion and love was for her family. This ultimately was her pride & joy.

Pat/Nannie was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend.

Her...

Richard Johnson

Richard Johnson

May 11, 2021

Richard Johnson of San Ramon, California passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, May 11th, 2021. Richard valiantly battled prostate cancer for over nineteen years, while continuing to maintain a near normal schedule.

Richard grew up in Beloit Wisconsin during the 1960's and graduated from Beloit Catholic High School in 1968. Continuing Education included a bachelor’s...

Wayne Westphal

Wayne Westphal

May 9, 2021

Surrounded by his loving wife and family, Wayne Westphal reluctantly, but peacefully passed away on May 9, 2021. He was 86 years young.

He was born on March 19, 1935, to Floyd and Julia Westphal on a farm in Middleton township. Wayne was the youngest of two sons. His older brother Ken Westphal, passed away in 2009....

Donna Shelhamer

Donna Shelhamer

May 9, 2021

Donna Jean Shelhamer, age 85, passed away on Sunday May 9, 2021, at Stoughton Meadows Assisted Living, with family by her side, after a two year struggle with cancer.  She was born in Stoughton on July 11, 1935, to Adolph and Elleda (Johnson) Strommen.  Donna attended Stoughton schools and graduated in 1953. After graduating, she was proud of the...

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