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.

Ruth Klumb

Ruth Klumb

May 5, 2025

Ruth E. Klumb, 86, of Marshall passed away on Monday, May 5, 2025 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on May 9, 1938 in Mequon. Ruth was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in Freistadt (Mequon) Wisconsin. Ruth and Don were also married at Trinity on September 21, 1957.

She was preceded in death by...

Nell C. Shaffer

Nell C. Shaffer

May 3, 2025

Stoughton – Nell Carolyn Shaffer, age 90, passed away on Saturday,  May 3, 2025. She was born August 20, 1934, in Paducah, KY., the daughter of the late Lloyd and Ethel (Moore) Kimbrell. Nell grew up in Rockford, IL. and graduated from East Rockford High School. She married Curtis W. Shaffer.

Carolyn is survived by her children Jill Shaffer, Jack (Pam)...

Jeannette M. Haberkorn

Jeannette M. Haberkorn

May 2, 2025

Jeannette M. Haberkorn age 76 of Sun Prairie, WI passed away on May 2, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Born on August 17, 1948, in Watertown, WI, she was the daughter of Ralph and Marion Wedl. Jeannette graduated from Jefferson High School in the class of 1966. She married Laverne Haberkorn on July 10, 1971, in Jefferson, WI, and...

Jean Meyer

Jean Meyer

May 2, 2025

Jean’s passing was very unexpected, and she has been profoundly missed by her family and friends.

Please join us on September 6, 2025 at Cress Center, 6021 University Avenue, from 11:00 am -2:00 pm to celebrate Jean's  life together

Please return at a later time for the full obituary.

Cress Center

6021 University Ave.    Madison

608-238-8406

Sarah Ellenbolt

Sarah Ellenbolt

May 2, 2025

Sarah J. Ellenbolt

January 2, 1979 – May 2, 2025

With heavy hearts and deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Sarah J. Ellenbolt, who left this world on May 2, 2025, at the age of 46. Born on January 2, 1979, in Madison, Wisconsin, Sarah was the beloved daughter of Gary and Bonnie Ellenbolt.

Sarah’s journey through life was marked by compassion,...

Nicole Plaut

Nicole Plaut

May 1, 2025

Nicole Colen Plaut, 95, passed away unexpectedly May 1, 2025 at her home in Madison, WI. Nicky was born on June 23, 1929, to Charles Colen and Lea DeWinter in Antwerp, Belgium. As a young child, Nicky was stricken with tuberculosis, which may have been the seed of her awareness of the precious gift of physical health which so influenced...

Pamela K. Cagle

Pamela K. Cagle

May 1, 2025

Pamela Kay (Morriss) Cagle, age 79, passed away peacefully with her husband, David, by her side at her home in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. She was born on November 10, 1945 in Kansas to the late Paul and Betty (Hall) Morriss. She married David LeRoy Cagle on August 28, 1968.

Pamela worked for many years as a bookkeeper for a CPA as...

Robert M. Fernholz

Robert M. Fernholz

May 1, 2025

Madison - Robert Michael Fernholz, aged 74, died on May 1, 2025, from complications of Stage IV metastatic lung cancer. He was born on February 26, 1951, the 3rd child of Joseph and Leone (Crampton) Fernholz, in Arcadia, WI. He graduated from Arcadia High School in 1969, then left his beloved “hills” to attend first UW-Stout, then UW-Madison. He stayed...

Robert E. Westervelt

Robert E. Westervelt

May 1, 2025

Robert Ellsworth Westervelt, age 96, passed away on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Agrace Hospice Care. Bob was born April 27, 1929, in Baldwin, Long Island, New York, the son of Floyd E. and Frances (Doremus) Westervelt. He attended Coolidge Grade School in Baldwin, N.Y. Middle School in Jamestown and Buffalo, N.Y. and South Side High School in Rockville Centre,...

William Anthony Tricomi, Jr.

William Anthony Tricomi, Jr.

Apr 30, 2025

William "Bill" Tricomi transitioned from this plane on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. After several years of progressive illness, he is now at peace.

Bill was a friend to many in his varied interests, several of which overlapped. He was a musician all his life, playing clarinet in school jazz bands and orchestras from grade school through college. He was self-taught in...

Shirley Laufenberg

Shirley Laufenberg

Apr 30, 2025

Shirley Laufenberg, age 85, of Waunakee, WI passed away peacefully on April 30, 2025.

She was born on March 20, 1940 in St. Paul, MN, the daughter of Walter and Eileene (Nikl) Reischel.

On August 27, 1960 she married John Schirmang from Reedsburg, WI. They moved to Sun Prairie, Wisconsin and started a family. Shirley was the proud mother of 3 children;...

William Arthur

William Arthur

Apr 29, 2025

William “Bill” Arthur, age 85, passed away in Madison on April 29, 2025. Bill was born on July 17, 1939 in Madison, Wisconsin. His parents were Robert (the former Dane County District Attorney) and Irma (nee: Conrad) Arthur. He graduated from Edgewood High School in 1957 and earned a degree in Economics from UW-Madison. He spent two years as a...

Frances C. Benzmiller

Frances C. Benzmiller

Apr 29, 2025

Sun Prairie - The wait is over – Jesus is calling. Fran slipped from here to there into the arms of Jesus her Savior on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at the age of 88. Led by her guardian angel, she was surrounded by love.

Frances Carol (Cerutti) Benzmiller was born on February 24, 1937, in her parents’ home in Rockford, Illinois....

Gregory Warner

Gregory Warner

Apr 28, 2025

Gregory Alan Warner

October 27, 1954 – April 28, 2025

Gregory “Gork” Alan Warner, of Madison, WI, passed away on April 28, 2025, at the age of 70. Born in Madison to James M. and Patricia M. Warner (McGuine) Growing up the Warner family shared many fond memories at their old family cabin on Lake Yawkey in Hazelhurst, Wisconsin. The family cabin...

Laura M. Rettke

Laura M. Rettke

Apr 28, 2025

With family at her side, Laura Maureen Rettke passed away peacefully on April 28, 2025, while under hospice care at UW Hospital, Madison. Thyroid cancer has claimed another life.

Laura arrived on Christmas Day, 1957, in Chicago, IL, the second of six children born to Robert “Bob” and Margaret “Peg” (Lorch) Schaben. In 1958, the Schaben family moved to the smaller-town,...

Steven R. Schult

Steven R. Schult

Apr 28, 2025

Sun Prairie - Steven Roger Schult, 67, of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2025. He was born on September 20, 1957, in Freeport, Illinois, to Roger and Janice Schult. Steven was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend whose kindness, steady presence, and sense of humor left a lasting mark on everyone who knew him.

Steven was...

Chenoa Natane aLeisha Taylor

Chenoa Natane aLeisha Taylor

Apr 27, 2025

Chenoa Natane aLeisha Taylor, passed away on Sunday, April 27, 2025 after a long illness. She was born on May 28, 1974 in St. Paul, MN. She was raised and loved by her parents Jack Taylor and Linda Derrickson.

Chenoa is survived by her children Cuba Aguilar and Elias Ruiz; her father Jack Taylor and mother Linda Derrickson; brother Jason (Lori)...

Marilyn L. Logan

Marilyn L. Logan

Apr 27, 2025

Marilyn Logan, a devoted wife and mother, passed away peacefully in her home on April 27, 2025. She was born December 26, 1938, to Merritt and Annie (Shirton) Ball in Lawrence, MA. Raised in Methuen, MA, she was the youngest of eight children. She married Robert Logan on July 18, 1959. They moved to Pittsburgh, PA where they raised three...

Jean Louise Kokott

Jean Louise Kokott

Apr 27, 2025

Jean Kokott lived a full and loving life. Born on April 17th, 1935, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, she grew up loving the Mississippi River and the mighty bluffs which give such majestic shape to her hometown. A deep love for the winding backroads, small towns, and lore of the Driftless Region remained with her all her life.

Though the only child...

Gary R. Stebnitz

Gary R. Stebnitz

Apr 26, 2025

Gary Stebnitz, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 87, surrounded by family. Gary lived a life full of love, laughter, and meaningful connections, leaving a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Gary was admired for his infectious sense of humor and exceptional joke-telling skills. He had a gift for...

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