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.
Lowell Bakken
Jan 13, 2026
Lowell Bakken, age 90, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2026, in Madison, the city where he was born on April 11, 1935, and proudly spent his life.
Lowell graduated from Madison West High School in 1953. In 1954, he entered the United States Marine Corps, serving his country with honor, and was stationed at Camp Lejeune until 1958. After completing...
Stanley A. Skoumbouris
Jan 11, 2026
Stanley A. Skoumbouris, age 94, of Madison, WI, fell asleep in Christ on Sunday, January 11, 2026.
Born in Megalopolis, Greece, to the late Athanasios and Maria Skoumbouris, Stanley was a proud Greek immigrant, faithful Orthodox Christian, successful real estate developer, and incredible television salesman; but most of all, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, friend...
Karen S. Johannsen
Dec 26, 2025
Karen Sue Johannsen, age 66, passed away at UW Hospital on December 26, 2025.
Karen was born June 3,1959 in Davenport Iowa. Karen and her family moved to Madison in 1960. She was a West High School graduate, class of 1977. She was a very proud Florida Gator, receiving her bachelors degree in Horticulture from University of Florida in 1981. Karen...
Elizabeth Anne Murphy Prescott
Dec 10, 2025
Elizabeth Anne “Liz” Murphy was born to Julia and William Murphy in Evergreen Park, Illinois, on December 6, 1957. She grew up surrounded by love, seeing her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins nearly every week. As a child, she excelled in school, played baseball with the neighborhood kids, went boating on Lake Michigan with her grandparents, doted on her younger...
Jeffrey Lawrence Henderson
Jan 15, 2026
MADISON, WI – Jeffrey Lawrence Henderson, age 81, died on Thursday, January 15, 2025, after a prolonged illness. Jeff was born on December 19, 1944 in Burlington, WI. A graduate of Waterford Union High School in 1963, Jeff excelled in sports, with an emphasis in both Football and Track. Post high school, Jeff continued as part of the family tradition...
Ina O. Smolker
Jan 14, 2026
Ina O. Smolker, age 86, passed away Wednesday, January 14, 2026 with her loving daughters by her side. A celebration of Ina's life will be held at a later date. A full obituary will be published when completed. Please share your memories of Ina.
Cress Center
6021 University Ave. Madison
(608) 238-8406
Ruth Ellen Halvorson
Jan 14, 2026
Ruth Ellen Halvorson, 76, of South Bend, Indiana passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana. She was born on November 18, 1949 in Madison, Wisconsin to the late George and Frances (Corbett) Kirch. On October 18, 1969 she married Byron Alan Halvorson who survives. She is also survived by one son, Christopher Truman...
Alex Nordness
Jan 12, 2026
Alexander Brandon Nordness, 40, of Madison passed away on Monday, January 12, 2026.
Alex was born on October 12, 1985 in Madison to Michael and Kathleen (Gruber) Nordness. He graduated Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District and studied at UW-Whitewater. Alex was previously employed by CDW Corporation, and was currently working at UW Health. He enjoyed the challenge of investigating difficult technical...
June Marie Collins
Jan 12, 2026
Please check back for a full obituary.
Cress Funeral Service
1310 Emerald Terrace
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
608-837-9054
Henry John "Jack" Kruschek Jr.
Jan 10, 2026
Henry John “Jack” Kruschek Jr. passed away peacefully on January 10, 2026, at the age of 82, surrounded by his loving family.
Jack was born on October 21, 1943, to Henry Kruschek, Sr. and Clara (Meinholz) Kruschek. He was baptized on November 1, 1943, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pine Bluff, Wisconsin, attended St. John Catholic School in Waunakee, and...
Ronald E. Lange
Jan 10, 2026
Ronald (Ron) E. Lange, age 90, of Waunakee died on Saturday, Jan. 10,2026 at Hattie’s Glen in Waunakee. He was born on Sept. 25,1935 in Madison, WI to Herman and Katherine (Halverson) Lange. Ron attended Waunakee High School before he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served from November 1953 through October 1957. During his service, he held the rank...
Mai Lee Thao
Jan 9, 2026
Cress Funeral Home is assisting with funeral arrangements.
Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
5801 Highway 51, P.O. Box 105, McFarland
(608) 838-0655
Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com
Peter Edward Starkweather
Jan 9, 2026
Peter Edward Starkweather quietly passed away after a brief battle with cancer on January 9, 2026, at Agrace Hospice, surrounded by his loved ones.
A seventh-generation Madisonian, Peter was born on March 22, 1937, to Walter and Norma (Shroyer) Starkweather. He grew up on Lake Monona, where he developed a lifelong love of boating and fishing. After attending Madison West High...
Marian L. Johnson
Jan 9, 2026
Stoughton — Marian L. Johnson, age 92, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her beloved boys, on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Kettle Park Senior Living in Stoughton. Marian was born April 7, 1933 in Clinton, WI to the late Christ and Anna (Kline) Ahlert. Marian was a graduate of Clinton High School where she met the love of her life...
Ami Elissa Rodland
Jan 9, 2026
AMI (ORLIN) RODLAND
Ami Elissa Rodland, age 73, passed away on January 9, 2026 due to complications from Alzheimer’s Disease.
How does one capture the essence of Ami in an obituary? Ami: the fearless advocate, loyal friend, devoted mother, loving sister, supportive partner, incredible cook, Scrabble player extraordinaire, assertive New Yorker. Facts can’t convey the laughter, the intellect, the fun, the humanity...
Deborah Lynn Hoffman
Jan 9, 2026
Deborah L. Hoffman left this earth on January 9 th, 2026. Deb – also known as D’vorah Dinah – was born on March 5, 1961 in Columbus, Ohio. She was preceded in death by parents Heinz (a Holocaust survivor) and Marcia Shechtman Hoffman. She is survived by sisters Karen and Aileen and brother Gary (Basha); her nieces Michal Hoffman, Aliza...
Vale E. Hagel
Jan 8, 2026
Vale Ellen Hagel, a remarkable woman of strength, conviction, and deep devotion to her family, passed away on January 8, 2026, at the age of 84.
Born on December 29, 1941, Vale lived a life defined by resilience, love, and unwavering principles. She was an amazing, strong-willed mother whose guidance and determination shaped the lives of all who knew her. Her...
David J. Coisman
Jan 8, 2026
Sun Prairie – David J. Coisman, at 81, passed away peacefully on Thursday January 8, 2026, in Sun Prairie. He was born November 29, 1944, in Algoma, WI. to the late Raymond and Vida (Herlache) Coisman. David’s education included being a 1962 graduate of Algoma High School and in 1968 received his associate’s degree with Honors in Electronics Engineering Technology....
Georgy Vavilov
2026
Georgy Vavilov, 84, peacefully passed away on January 6, 2026 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. Born to Arseny and Galina Vavilov, he grew up in Sverdlovsk (Russia), where he graduated from School No. 9 before studying Chemistry at the Ural Polytechnic Institute.
Georgy received his doctorate in fine chemical synthesis and began his professional career at the Research Institute...
Paul W. Schwister
Jan 5, 2026
Paul W. Schwister, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, died on Monday, January 5, 2026, after a brief illness. He was 86.
Born on April 25, 1939, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, Paul was the son of John and Olivia (Kaiser) Schwister. He was blessed with a childhood surrounded by loving grandparents, aunts and uncles, and many adventurous cousins, all growing...
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