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.
Robert James Corliss
Feb 25, 2026
Robert James Corliss, age 94, passed away on February 25, 2026. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Robert and Anna Corliss.
While growing up, he supported his family by working dog kennels which began his lifelong love of training dogs. He eventually put himself through college and medical school training and campaigning dogs for Bob Maytag. He won numerous field...
Lane R. Fosdal
Feb 21, 2026
Utica—Lane Roger Fosdal, age 64, passed away at UW Hospital on Saturday, February 21, 2026. He was born on April 27, 1961 in Edgerton, WI, the son of Roger and Suzanne (Schultz) Fosdal, and he grew up on the family farm in Utica. During his working years, Lane was a foreman at Fox River Stone for many years prior to...
Bonnie Denmark Friedman
Feb 16, 2026
Bonnie passed away on February 16, 2026 from pneumonia on the island of Curacao in the southern Caribbean.
Born Bonnie Lee Denmark on May 26, 1945 in Steubenville, Ohio, to Samuel and Renee Denmark, she moved as a child to the Hammond/Munster, IN area. She graduated from Hammond High School, then went on to graduate from Goucher College with a degree...
Philip (Phil) Edward Albert
Feb 15, 2026
Philip (Phil) Edward Albert, age 77, of Madison, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
Phil was born on June 1, 1948, in Madison, Wisconsin, and lived a life defined by love for his family, service to his community, and deep pride in the places he called home.
Phil attended Our Lady Queen of Peace School, Edgewood High School, and...
Morris Waxler
Jan 2, 2026
Morris Waxler died on January 2, 2026, from a stroke, shortly before his 89th birthday. He was born in Washington D.C. on January 25, 1937, son of Isadore and Fannie Waxler, immigrants from Russia. His father was an antiques dealer and cabinetmaker. His mother was a bookkeeper and government employee during WW2, in addition to managing a household with 6...
Phil Gray
Feb 15, 2026
Philip John “Phil” Gray, 85, of DeForest passed away on Sunday, February 15, 2026 at Waunakee Valley Assisted Living.
Phil was born on November 10, 1940 to John and Sylvia (Premo) Gray. On December 16, 1967 Phil married Sharon Riedner. Phil worked at Transport Station for many years, and then Sub-Zero Refrigeration for over 30 years. He would also snowplow and...
Steven A. Rasmussen
Dec 31, 2025
MADISON, WI - Steven A. Rasmussen, of Madison, WI, passed away on December 31, 2025 at age 79. Steve was known for his gentle soul, ready laugh, and devotion to his family and friends.
Steve was born on July 6, 1946, the second of eight children of Nathaniel and Mary Ann Rasmussen. Growing up in the boisterous and loving milieu of...
Donald Orr
Jan 28, 2026
Madison — Don Orr, age 97, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. A much-loved father, husband, grandparent, and friend, he lived a long life marked by kindness, resilience, and deep devotion to his family.
Don was born on March 19, 1928, in Waukon, Iowa, to Bert and Kathryn Orr. During his senior year of high...
James "Jim" V. Hughes
Feb 4, 2026
Sun Prairie - James "Jim" Vincent Hughes, age 66, passed away after a diagnosis of esophagus cancer and treatment for it, he entered hospice care through Agrace in October 2025 and entered Heaven on February 4, 2026, at home, surrounded by loved ones.
He was born May 25, 1959, at St. Mary's Hospital to Robert “Bob” and Bernice (Meixelsperger) Hughes. Jim...
Barbara Ann Weeks
2026
Barbara Ann Weeks, age 77, passed away February 24, 2026 in Madison. A celebration of Barbara's life will be held Monday, March 9, 2026 at the Cress Center, 6021 University Ave., Madison, WI 53705. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am followed by a service at 11:00 am. A full obituary will be posted when completed. Please share your memories of...
Diane S. Bartlett
Feb 24, 2026
Diane S. Bartlett (Shirley), passed away on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 . She was born on May 13, 1947 in Lexington, Kentucky to William and Viola (Hughes) Shirley. She married Barry Bartlett on February 14, 1969 in Lexington. Diane was a strong woman of faith, and she now rests having been reunited in heaven together with the love of her...
Lynn Marie Malisch
Feb 23, 2026
Lynn Marie Malisch (nee Wagner), age 77, of Waunakee passed away on Monday, February 23, 2026. She was born on August 29, 1948, the daughter of Vincent and Florence (Schuster) Wagner. Lynn grew up on the family farm near Sun Prairie. She married her high school sweetheart, Richard Malisch (Dick) on September 17, 1966, and went with him to Augsburg,...
Theodore Gunkel
Feb 23, 2026
Theodore Frederick Gunkel, age 94, of Madison, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 23, 2026.
Ted was born on November 14, 1931, in Madison. From boyhood through adulthood, he fished Madison’s lakes and Wisconsin’s streams, finding joy and peace on the water and forming a lifelong connection to the community and state that shaped him and he loved.
As a young...
Susan J. Chandler
Feb 22, 2026
Services are currently pending.
Please check back for a full obituary.
Cress Funeral Service
3325 E. Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53704
608-249-6666
Dorothy L. Wilcox
Feb 22, 2026
Stoughton - Dorothy Louise Wilcox (Hanson) passed away peacefully on February 22, 2026, at Stoughton Meadows Assisted Living Facility. Dorothy was born on 4/20/1941 to Margaret & Harry “Bud” Hanson in Stoughton, WI. She attended school in Stoughton, WI & graduated from Stoughton Senior High School in 1959. She attended University at Menominee Stout and UW-Madison. She married Myron Henry...
Albert Newel Whitney
Feb 20, 2026
Albert Newel Whitney passed away Friday, February 20, 2026. He was born on October 9, 1934 in Garland, Utah to the late Albert Owen and Nelda (nee Burns) Whitney.
He attended school in Garland, Utah. Married Nancy Rynders in Madison on January 19, 1957.
Albert served in the U.S. Army from 1957-1959 in Heilbron, Germany, where he operated the message center for...
Donna E. Gross
Feb 20, 2026
Donna Elizabeth Gross, 80, passed away peacefully on February 20, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of
kindness, warmth, and love for others. She was born November 16, 1945, at Stoughton Hospital to
Donald Franklin Gross and Elizabeth “Betty” Marie (Arnold) Gross.
Donna lived her life rooted in family, faith, and community. A graduate of Monona Grove High School,
she went on to build a...
William Herman Schlinsog
Feb 19, 2026
William (Bill) Herman Schlinsog 1927-2026
Bill (98) passed away on February 19th at The Terraces at Coventry in Madison, WI. He was born December 3rd 1927 to Harry and Nelda Schlinsog in Clark County. He had two brothers, Theodore (Ted) and Richard (Dick). He spent his childhood in the Granton/Neilsville area. He was married June 12, 1949 to Jeanette (Nette) Guk...
Charles "Chuck" Panka
Feb 18, 2026
Charles “Chuck” Panka, passed away, at the age of 60 years, on Wednesday February 18, 2026 unexpectedly while traveling in Da Nang, Vietnam. He was born on May 31, 1965 in Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin. Chuck graduated from Prairie Du Chien High School and attended Blackhawk Technical College in Fennimore, WI. He married Julie on June 4, 1988 and had...
Steven "Steve" P. Krause
Feb 18, 2026
Sun Prairie - Steven Philip Krause, age 71 of Sun Prairie, WI told his last fishing story on February 18, 2026 at home, surrounded by family. He leaves behind a legacy as vast as the great outdoors he loved so much. If you look up the word warrior, Steve’s picture lays beside it. A man with 9 lives, Steve saw...
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