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.
Walter Lee Wagener
Jul 17, 2025
Walter Lee Wagener of Madison, Wisconsin was born on July 7, 1936, and died of a cardio-respiratory event on July 17, 2025, at University of Wisconsin Hospital, Madison. He was 89 years old.
Walt was the kind of person who made everyone's life better. His smile was as wide as a mile. His faith and serene nature were a salve in...
Jo Ann Green
Jul 17, 2025
Jo Ann (Smith) Green passed away at Sylvan Crossings in Waunakee on July 17, 2025. She was 96. Jo Ann was born in Kansas City, MO, and spent most of her younger years in Kansas, until she went to Oklahoma City during her teens. She graduated from high school there in 1946. She met Jack Green on a blind date...
Jake Martin
Jul 17, 2025
With deep sorrow, we share the passing of Jake Martin, a beloved son, father, brother, friend, and cherished member of his family. Jake departed on July 17 at the age of 54, held in the arms of those who loved him. Jake was loyal and kind; he lived his life with a gentle heart that drew people close. He loved...
Samuel Moss
Jul 17, 2025
Samuel Moss, longtime resident of Madison, WI, passed away on July 17, 2025, at the age of 86.
He is survived by Rabbi Yona and Faygie Matusof and their children, who lovingly served as his surrogate family.
Sam was preceded in death by his beloved, mother Reva Moss, Grandparents, Samuel and Ida Moskowsky, Uncles, Harry Moss, Irving Moss, Arthur Moss and Simon...
Nick W. Beerntsen
Jul 16, 2025
Livestream link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUFK8n1UbSE
Nick Walter Beerntsen, 67, was taken to the Lord suddenly on Wednesday, July 16. He was born December 9, 1957 in Green Bay, WI. He attended St. Mary of the Angels grade school and Premontre High School. He earned his Business degree at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. After a brief insurance career in Chicago, Nick worked as...
Herman (Hermie) Pongratz
Jul 16, 2025
Herman (Hermie) Pongratz, age 85, passed away peacefully July 16, 2025 at the VA Hospital in Madison, WI following a progression through Alzheimer's disease.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Marie Pongratz, and brothers Ray and Ralph.
Herman is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Eileen, sons; Brian (Kris), Jeff (Jackie), grandchildren; Sarah, Grant, Katelyn, &...
Shirley Johnson
Jul 16, 2025
Shirley Johnson, most recently of Madison, WI, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2025, with her daughter, Jana, and her granddaughter, Claire, by her side. Shirley was 92 ½ years old.
She lived an amazing, full, loving, faith filled, honorable and generous life, that ended a year after being diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer. She took her treatment head on...
Lois J. Erickson
Jul 15, 2025
Lois J. Erickson, daughter of Lewis and Helen Harrison, born on the 16th of May 1939 passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on the 15th of July 2025. She married Donald R. Erickson, July 3, 1957, and enjoyed going dancing, baking cookies, but spent most of her time on their farm raising tobacco, and taking care of her...
Russell Jay Novkov
Jul 15, 2025
We are deeply saddened to say good-bye to Russell Jay Novkov, age 69. Russ passed away unexpectedly on July 15, 2025, of natural causes. Russ was well-known in Madison as a tireless volunteer, spirited advocate, and devoted friend, and we will dearly miss him. Russ was born on May 2, 1956, to Peter and Marie (Sagadencky) Novkov in Akron, Ohio....
James R. "Jim" Schmitz
Jul 15, 2025
A cherished husband, father, grandfather, and friend James R. “Jim” Schmitz left his pain and suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease behind on July 15, 2025. He was born on July 25, 1936, the son of Sylvester & Norma Ella Lexa (Wendorff) Schmitz, in Sparta WI. He married Linda Marty on January 2, 1993.
He attended St John’s Evangelical Lutheran School and Sparta...
Brad Barnes
Jul 15, 2025
Brad Barnes, just 1 month away from his 65th birthday, passed away quietly at Hope & A Future on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. He was born August 29, 1960, in Lafayette, Indiana to Robert and Bettye (Burrell) Barnes. Despite the doctor’s suggestion to ‘put him away’ because of his Down syndrome diagnosis, they took one nurse’s advice to ‘just take...
Darlene G. Nesthus
Jul 15, 2025
Darlene G. (Kozlowski) Nesthus, age 66, from Cottage Grove, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 after a battle with cancer. She was born on March 19, 1959 in Illinois to Paul and Eleanore (Ruszczak) Kozlowski.
Darlene worked at EDS/HP for 27 years and medically retired due to her MS diagnosis. She went on to live 30 years with her...
Mary Jones
Jul 14, 2025
Mary Laverne Van Hulle Jones, aged 97 years, died on July 14, 2025. She was born on a dairy farm near Oconto, Wisconsin on June14, 1928. Her parents were Leona (Reinhardt) and Louis Van Hulle. She attended Elm Grove grade school for eight years, then graduated Valedictorian of her class in 1945 from Oconto High School. She went to the...
Patricia "Tricia" Marie Gore
Jul 14, 2025
Patricia Marie Gore, affectionately known as Tricia, passed unexpectedly on July 14th 2025, in Madison, Wisconsin. Tricia is the cherished daughter of Richard(Deb) and Ruth Gore, beloved sister to Isabella Gore(Adam Reining) and Erica Gore(Lutia Fedozzi), treasured granddaughter of Glenn and Patricia Gore, and Willard and Isabelle Pierce, and adored aunt to Ricky and Violet. She was lucky to have...
Jane C. Storm
Jul 13, 2025
Jane Carole Storm, age 79, of Middleton, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully early Sunday July 13, 2025 at home surrounded by family. She was born September 22, 1945, daughter to Hartvig and Marie (Amundson) Iverson. Jane enjoyed living her childhood years in Whitehall, Wisconsin before moving to Sun Prairie, Wisconsin for her high school years. She studied at both UW LaCrosse...
Joyce Mae Williams
Jul 12, 2025
Joyce Mae Williams, born June 19, 1940, in Hustisford, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2025, at the age of 85 in Madison, Wisconsin. Joyce is the daughter of Clarence and Gladys (Randorf) Wentland.
In 1953, Joyce took great pride in her participation in the Million Penny March. A remarkable community effort initiated by the students at Arbor Vitae-Woodruff School....
Harold I. Blotner
Jul 12, 2025
Harold Blotner, age 99, passed away on Saturday, July 12, 2025. He was born October 3, 1925, in Haverhill, MA to the late Samuel Blotner and Ruth Mysel. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a BS in mechanical engineering. After graduating, he moved to Milwaukee, WI for work where he met his wife, Sue. They were married December...
Betty Lou Helen Stralow
Jul 11, 2025
Betty Lou Helen (Schmitt, Stone) Stralow, age 90, died on July 11, 2025 in Madison WI. She was born on July 18, 1934 to Richard & Martha (Geleng) Schmitt in Chicago IL.
Pre-deceased by husbands Reverend Robert (Bob) Stone, Jr., and Donald (Don) Stralow; son John; Daughter Kathryn (Kathi) Biller; daughter-in-law Shannon (McMullen); her mother and father; brother Bob; sisters Eleanor...
Darcia Mae "Darcy" Vosberg
Jul 11, 2025
Darcia (Darcy) M. Vosberg, age 92, passed away on July 11, 2025, at Waunakee Manor after a long, courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis & Dementia. Darcy was born on July 27, 1932, to Mary and Glenn Morrick in Madison, Wisconsin.
She was a Senior Outreach Worker and thoroughly enjoyed her time volunteering alongside her husband Eugene as an Emergency Medical Technician...
Gary Ray Doucette
Jul 11, 2025
It is with great sadness that the family of Gary (Duke) Doucette announces his passing on July 11, 2025, in Madison, Wisconsin. Gary Ray Doucette was born on August 17, 1943, in Antigo, Wisconsin, the youngest of 6 children, born to Ray and Irene Doucette.
Duke graduated from Antigo High School in 1961, later attending and graduating from The University of...
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.
