July 2020

Mon
06
Jul
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Gun Store Burglarized in Deerfield

TOWN OF DEERFIELD–The Dane County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a burglary at Smitty’s Guns, located at 575 London Road in the town of Deerfield.

Deputies responded to an alarm at the business at 7:14 a.m. on July 5. The burglars had forced entry to the store and stole over 30 firearms. A red Toyota Corolla believed to be connected to the crime was found abandoned, but still running, in the ditch on Highway 73. The Toyota was determined to have been stolen from the City of Madison overnight. A second vehicle, a black sedan, is also believed to be involved. Both cars were captured on video in the area.

Deputies have been contacting residents along London Road to find any witnesses and/or collect video from home surveillance systems or video doorbell devices. Anyone with information or possible video evidence related to this burglary is asked to call the Dane County tip line at 608-284-6900.

Thu
02
Jul
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William Joseph (Bill) Chauvin

MIDDLETON–It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Bill at home on June 26, 2020 in his 71st year. Loving husband of Barbara for 48 years. Beloved father of Mark (Diana), Maple Grove MN; Jeffery (Jessica), Rochester MN; and Scott (Nessa), Middleton. Proud grandfather to Julia, Naomi, and Maria. Bill is remembered for his great love of golf and photography.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held next year on the anniversary of his death so that his Canadian family can be present. Donations in Bill’s memory can be made to Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, WI  53711 or at agrace.org/donate.  

Please share your memories at cressfuneralservice.com

Thu
02
Jul
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Norman J. Esser Sr.

BLACK EARTH/CROSS PLAINS-Norman J. Esser Sr. passed away on June 28, 2020, at Agrace HospiceCare. He was born at home on Feb. 27, 1940, in the Town of Cross Plains, the son of Bernard and Lucinda (Lamberty) Esser. At age four, he moved and grew up with his family on the farm on Hwy. J in Pine Bluff. He graduated from Mount Horeb High School, Class of 1958.

Norman enlisted in the US Army National Guard in 1960 and went to defend his country in the Berlin Crisis in 1961. He met his Sweetheart Karen L. LaBelle on a blind date and they were married at St. Norbert's Catholic Church in Roxbury on April 15, 1964. Together, they joined St. Francis Xavier Parish where he later served on the parish council and are still members today. Norm and Karen bought their first home in the Village of Cross Plains where they lived and raised their 10 children for 49 years prior to moving to Black Earth.

Thu
02
Jul
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David Leon Olive, M.D.

MIDDLETON–David Leon Olive, M.D., passed away on May 22, 2020 at 12:10 am after a 14 year battle with cancer. He passed at his home in Middleton.

He is survived by his wife Elizabeth; their children Zachary, Matthew, Alexander, Taïna, Midlyne and Janelle; their significant others Lindsay, John, Jessica and Michael; his grandchildren Jackson and Machlan; his Brothers Gary and Robert, his Sister Lori, his Nieces and Nephews and Cousins, their significant others and those he invited into his “family”.

He graduated with honors from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1975, completed his Medical Degree at Baylor College of Medicine in 1979, his Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern School of Medicine in 1983 and his Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Duke University Medical School in 1985. He was granted an honorary master’s degree from Yale University in 1997.

Thu
02
Jul
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Mary Lou Kuehn

MIDDLETON–Mary Lou Kuehn, age 78, passed away surrounded by her family on June 22, 2020, after a courageous battle with ALS. She was born on Sept. 22, 1941, in Middleton, the daughter of Gerald and Leona (Endres) Adler. She married Stanley Edward Kuehn on June 27, 1961, in Ashton. Mary Lou attended Middleton High School and after her graduation, she returned to MHS for her first job, working in the school office. Once married, Mary Lou partnered professionally with Stan, helping him launch the family business, Stan’s Floor Covering (known later as The Habitat, and then Kuehn’s Sampler Square) working as bookkeeper and office manager, juggling work and the parenting of the couple’s four young children. Mary Lou later held dual careers in bookkeeping at Quivey’s Grove restaurant and tax preparation at H & R Block in Madison.

Thu
02
Jul
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Birney Jay "Butch" McCauley

MIDDLETON–Birney Jay "Butch" McCauley, age 69, passed away on June 22, 2020, after a 13-month battle with glioblastoma. He was born on May 4, 1951, in Dennison, OH, the son of Birney and Betty (Devore) McCauley. Butch graduated from Indian Valley North High School in 1969. He married Peggy Longseth on Aug. 12, 1989, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Middleton.

Butch was the proud founder of Butch's Foundations, a successful company that he started from the ground up. He loved golfing, camping, college sports, and attending live roots music concerts. Butch was an animal lover and enjoyed attending horse shows with his daughter. He had a knack for making everyone he met feel like a friend and his friends feel like family. Above all, his favorite thing was his immediate family and he loved spending time with them. 

Thu
02
Jul
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Eric. R. Walser

STOUGHTON–Eric R. Walser, age 52, passed away on June 16, 2020. He was born on Sept. 29, 1967, in Madison, the son of Richard and Ann Walser. He graduated from Middleton High School and went on to get a marketing degree from Madison College. Eric worked as an electrician for many years, although his true passion in life was in the great outdoors hunting and fishing. Eric felt most at home on his fishing boat or in a field with his hunting dogs. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and he will be remembered for his kindness and willingness to help others. 

Eric is survived by his mother, Ann Walser; brothers, Kyle (Michelle) and Kent (Krista) Walser; his three nephews, Austin, Dillon and Collin; and two nieces, Brook and Madelyn. 

A private burial was held on June 19, 2020, at the Historic First Lutheran Church. A celebration of Eric’s life will be scheduled at a later date. 

Thu
02
Jul
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Fireflies

I was standing in the kitchen washing dishes (one of my least favorite things), when I couldn’t help but notice one of my favorite things–dozens of fireflies lifting off from the grass, flowers and vegetables in the back yard. They were mostly green with a few orange ones scattered in the mix.

I don’t remember ever seeing the oranges ones as a kid, but I have some distinct memories of fireflies in general. Of course, like many kids, I, and my friends, imprisoned them in clear glass jars, fascinated with their glowing hind ends. No firefly home was complete without a wad of grass to sleep in and a stick for them to hang out on. I remember waking up in the morning to find them all “belly up” as my grandma so eloquently put it. No matter how many holes you poked, they couldn’t survive in a repurposed mayonnaise jar.

Thu
02
Jul
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City Hall to Remain Closed

MIDDLETON–An email sent out by Middleton City Administrator Mike Davis on Tuesday afternoon, informed the public of changes to the City Hall reopening plan. City Hall was scheduled to one with limited access on July 6, but Davis said due to safety concerns.

“Due to the latest increase in COVID-19 cases in Dane County, I have decided that City Hall will not open on July 6 as planned and will remain closed to the public indefinitely. This decision is made out of concern for both the public and city employees’ health and well-being.  City Hall staff continue to work, so if someone needs to schedule an appointment, we are available by e-mail, phone and Zoom. If absolutely necessary we can schedule a meeting in person too,” Davis said in the email.

Thu
02
Jul
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NNO Canceled

MIDDLETON–The 2020 National Night Out (NNO) event that was to be held in Middleton on August 6 has been canceled due to concerns about safely hosting the event during the COVID-9 pandemic. 

The annual event features food, emergency vehicles and a chance for citizens to get out and meet members of the police department EMS and fire department.

“The cancellation is very unfortunate because it is our largest community policing event throughout the year and has always had excellent attendance.  It allowed a significant portion of our staff to get out and have contact with a large number of community members during a family-friendly event,” said Middleton Police Department Captain Jeremy Geiszler. 

The event dates back to the early 2000s, and many communities across the country hold a variety of events to connect citizens and local law enforcement and emergency agencies.

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