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.

Reinhold “Reiny” Meihsner

Reinhold “Reiny” Meihsner

Mar 17, 2025

MIDDLETON - Reinhold (Otto) “Reiny” Meihsner passed away at the age of 90 on March 17, 2025. Reinhold was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Reinhold and Johanna Meihsner in 1934.

He graduated from Concordia High School in 1953 in Milwaukee and attended Stout State University in Menomonie, Wisconsin graduating in 1957. While attending Stout, Reiny met Rita Jackson when they were...

Marilyn H. Lein

Marilyn H. Lein

Mar 16, 2025

Marilyn Helen Lein Hagen, age 93, of Stoughton Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her 3 daughters on March 16, 2025. She was born the daughter of Harry and Ermine (David) Manning on December 20, 1931. Marilyn grew up in Clyman, WI, and was a 1949 graduate of Hustisford High School. She moved to Stoughton Wisconsin in 1972...

John D. Fassbender

John D. Fassbender

Mar 16, 2025

Middleton—John D. Fassbender, age 90, of Middleton, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on March 16, 2025. He was born on July 2, 1934, in Steuben, WI, to James and Neva (Rockwell) Fassbender.

John attended Mount Hope High School, where he met the love of his life, Sharon (Clark) Fassbender. Following high school, John served in the...

Kari L. Behnke

Kari L. Behnke

Mar 16, 2025

Kari Lynn Behnke (Johnson), age 51, passed away peacefully on Sunday March 16th, 2025, in her home surrounded by her husband and children. She was born on November 16th 1973, in Watertown, WI and was the daughter to Robert and Marion Johnson (Wittnebel). She married the love of her life, Rick Behnke, on September 9th , 2000. Together they celebrated...

Stephen Lee Busch

Stephen Lee Busch

Mar 16, 2025

Stephen Busch passed away on March 16, 2025, after a brief illness. He was 58 years old.

Steve was born on June 21, 1966, and was a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend. He is survived by his parents, Duane and Bette Busch (Spangler); his sisters, Shelley Bednar (Dan) and Deanna Wiese (Steve); and his nieces and nephews, Ryan Sperle, Morgan...

Lorraine N. Nepstad

Lorraine N. Nepstad

Mar 15, 2025

Lorraine Naomi Nepstad née Shade

April 18, 1928-March 15, 2025

Lorraine (Laurie) was born in Chicago and lived in a predominately Swedish district located on the Northside during her early years. The family, which included a younger sister, Beverly, moved to suburban Skokie when Laurie was twelve. In Skokie, Laurie formed lasting relationships, most significantly with Donald Nepstad.

Laurie married Don in 1950....

James R. Mayhew

James R. Mayhew

Mar 13, 2025

James Raymond Mayhew, age 80, passed away at Oakwood Village on March 13, 2025, from complications of congestive heart failure. Born on March 12, 1945, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Arthur and Virginia (Harreld) Mayhew, Jim was a lifelong academic who earned his Bachelors degree at Washington University. He continued on to a Master's from the University of Missouri and...

Antoinette Laufenberg

Antoinette Laufenberg

Mar 13, 2025

Waunakee/Ashton

Antoinette (Frederick) Laufenberg, age 91, of Waunakee passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2025 in Middleton. She was born on May 19, 1933 in Waunakee to Math and Elizabeth (Meffert) Frederick. She married Walter Laufenberg on April 23, 1955 and he preceded her in death in 2024.

Antoinette graduated from Waunakee High School and went to work at Madison General Hospital...

John "Mike" Bisbee

John "Mike" Bisbee

Mar 13, 2025

John “Mike” Bisbee, age 79, of Waunakee passed March 13. Mike was born to Clark Bisbee and Helen (Lake) Bisbee. Mike was born September 24, 1945 in Milwaukee, WI. He is survived by his daughter Renee Bisbee (Arizona). His nieces Becky Bisbee, Karen Taylor and Nephews Jeremy and Josh Bisbee and Andrew Brickson.

He is proceeded in death by his parents...

Virginia Ruth Bormett

Virginia Ruth Bormett

Mar 13, 2025

Virginia “Ginny” Bormett, 79 of Madison passed away peacefully on March 13th, in the wonderful care of hospice at Agrace in Fitchburg. Ginny was born in Elkhorn, WI to Annette (Sterken) and Abraham Keyzer, the middle of seven children. She graduated from Delavan-Darien high school, got a degree from Madison Business College, and later took classes at Edgewood College. Ginny...

Mary Alice Stegemann

Mary Alice Stegemann

Mar 12, 2025

Mary Alice Stegemann peacefully passed away on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Mary was born on May 8, 1949, to Francis Joseph Lawyer and Catherine Erma (Brunett) Lawyer in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mary was known for her warm smile and personality, sharp mind and wit, and love of life. Mary’s particular talent was her ability to comfortably welcome all people into...

Thea L. Brunsell

Thea L. Brunsell

Mar 11, 2025

Our mother, Thea La Budde Brunsell peacefully passed away March 11th. Thea was 100 ½, born July 16, 1924. She grew up in Whitefish Bay, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1956 Thea moved to Evansville Wisconsin with her husband, William Carlin Brunsell. Thea enjoyed her last eight years living at Oakwood Village in Madison, where her family, care companions and community supported...

Bernadette M. Kluver

Bernadette M. Kluver

Mar 11, 2025

Bernadette's Funeral Service will be live-streamed through the Epiphany Parish website. Here is a link to the Mass live-streams. Once you get to the page, choose recent videos and click on Bernadette's service.

https://vimeo.com/epiphanyparishwi

Bernadette Mary Kluver, 89, of Sun Prairie, WI passed away on March 11, 2025 at her home, surrounded by family. She was born on October 13, 1935 in...

Andrea Kay Mortenson

Andrea Kay Mortenson

Mar 11, 2025

Andrea “Andy” K. Mortenson, 76, of Iron River, died peacefully on March 11th, 2025 at St. Mary’s Hospital after a loving weekend spent with her family.

Andy was born in Superior on Nov. 6th, 1948, the daughter of Robert and Ruth (Larson) Wiberg. She graduated from Superior Senior High School with the class of 1966 and furthered her education at UW-Superior.

Andy...

Judith "Judi" K. Koch

Judith "Judi" K. Koch

Mar 10, 2025

Sun Prairie – Judith K. ”Judi” (Reece) Koch, age 80, passed away on Monday March 10, 2025 at her home in Sun Prairie, WI. Judi was born on December 26, 1944, in Kingman, AZ to the late Richard and Betty (Fleagle) Reece. She was raised in Rockford, Illinois and is a graduate of West High School. She found happiness on...

Richard "Dick" Dahmen

Richard "Dick" Dahmen

Mar 10, 2025

WAUNAKEE Richard (Dick) Charles Dahmen passed away on Monday, March 10, 2025 at the age of 97.

Dick was born on August 1st, 1927 to Charles H. and Anna (Weiss) Dahmen, the oldest of three boys and three girls. Dick lived eleven years in Madison, WI, seven years in Plain, WI, fifty-four years in Middleton and his final years in Waunakee,...

Stefan Hastenrath

Stefan Hastenrath

Mar 9, 2025

Stefan Hastenrath passed away on March 9, 2025 in Madison. Stefan was born July 10, 1934 in Budapest Hungry to the late Peter and Elizabeth Hastenrath. Stefan obtained his Phd from the University of Bonn, Germany. His passion for atmospheric and oceanic science brought him to the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he was affiliated for over 32 years as a...

William R. "Bill" Cress Jr.

William R. "Bill" Cress Jr.

Mar 9, 2025

Cress, Jr. William R. “Bill” DeForest/Stoughton, Wisconsin

Bill Cress, 74, passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2025 surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born December 20, 1950 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to William Robert Cress, Sr. (Bob) & Hazel (Martel) Cress. He married Sherry Georgi on August 10, 1979 in Sun Prairie, WI. He...

Donald "Don" Robert Espen

Donald "Don" Robert Espen

Mar 9, 2025

Madison – Donald R. “Don” Espen, age 90, passed away on Sunday March 9, 2025, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison. He was born January 17, 1935, in Madison to the late Gerhard and Mabel (Graf) Espen. Don married Shirley Dyer on March 5, 1960, at the Italian Methodist Church in Madison. He was employed by the Madison Metropolitan School...

Deborah Ann Del Ciello

Deborah Ann Del Ciello

Mar 8, 2025

Deborah (Debby, Deb) Ann Del Ciello (nee Whitty), age 75, of Madison, Wisconsin passed away on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at the home of her son, Anthony Del Ciello. She was born on July 16, 1949, in Marshalltown, Iowa, the daughter of Francis (Mike) and Helen Whitty. She married Ronald Del Ciello on July 18, 1978, in Chicago, Illinois. They...

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