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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...

Diane S. Bartlett

Diane S. Bartlett

Feb 24, 2026

Please check back for a full obituary. 

Cress Funeral Service

1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie, WI 53590

608-837-9054

Lynn Marie Malisch

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...

Alonzo Anderson

Alonzo Anderson

Feb 17, 2026

Al was born on November 1, 1924, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and died on February 17, 2026, at age 101, at his residence, Cardinal View Senior Living, in Middleton, Wisconsin. He graduated from Riverside High School in Milwaukee. His family survived the great depression, but that experience shaped Al’s worldview for his lifetime, and he was always careful with a dollar,...

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