Obituaries

MIDDLETON–Francis G. ("Frank") Ryan Jr., died unexpectedly on April 10, 2020 of cardiac arrest.  Born and raised in Chicago, Frank graduated from Sullivan High School in 1954 and enlisted in the United States Army in 1955 where he served nearly three years.

He graduated from Marquette University in 1962 and married Claire McMahon, a teacher at Marquette, in New York City later that year.

Hired by United Press International (UPI), Frank spent two years in their Milwaukee Bureau and transferred to Madison in 1966. As Bureau Chief and political reporter, he covered the Governor's Office and State Legislature, news stories of a tumultuous era, and sports. Frank's twice weekly commentaries appeared in newspapers statewide, and he wrote for Madison Magazine.

CEDAR FALLS, IA–Edna Kathryn (Schroeder) Healy, 95, went home to be with her Lord and Friend on March 30, 2020.

Edna was born on April 30, 1924, to August and Elsie (Koepcke) Schroeder on a farm near Verona, and six months later her family moved to a farm on University Avenue in Middleton.  Edna graduated from Middleton High School in 1941 and attended Madison Business College.

In 1944, Edna married Harry Burdette Healy from River Falls. They were married for 63 years.  She worked for 25 years at the Middleton Piggly Wiggly (later Eagle) where she was head cashier. Edna cherished her many friends and she always enjoyed remembering them with a card or with her famous cookies.

Edna and Harry were blessed with two children, Annelle Eickhoff (Ben) and Michael (Billie), six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. 

MIDDLETON–Charles "Zeke” Doll, age 65, of Middleton, passed away surrounded by his loving family on April 3, 2020. 

Charles "Zeke" is survived by his wife, Mary Anne; daughter, Marcella (Karl) Jakobsen; sons, Matthew (Amy) Doll and Michael (Erin) Doll; grandsons, Cooper Doll and Grayson Doll; granddaughters, Nora Doll and Natalie Doll; sisters, Barbara Johnson and Donna Chan; brothers, Dug Doll and Timothy Doll; and other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  

Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Waterloo. Online condolences may be made at gundersonfh.com.

MOUNT HOREB/MIDDLETON–Craig W. Hanson, age 77, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on March 3, 2020 at Agrace HospiceCare, Fitchburg, after a long courageous battle with COPD and a third bout of cancer. Craig’s deep love for his family helped him survive cancer two times over the last 23 years and for that he was deeply grateful and spent as much time as he could with his wife, four children and six grandchildren, that were his greatest joy.  

Born March 15, 1942, Craig grew up in the Madison area and graduated from West High School, 1960, and UW-Madison in 1967, with a B.S. in Economics.  In 1972, Craig started his own business, Hanson Accounting, providing a customized service to a client base that stayed with him for over 45 years. Craig deeply valued the friendships he built over the decades with many of his clients, never fully retiring, he loved his work. 

MADISON–Marie C. Medina, age 102, of Madison, passed away on March 6, 2020 at home surrounded by her family. She was born on December 23, 1917, in Oxnard, CA, the daughter of Jesus Cabral and Carmen (Chairez) Cabral. She married Jose Guadalupe Medina on February 12, 1939 in Los Angeles, CA and they had 12 beautiful children. Marie and Jose celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Mexico in 1989 with all of their children present.

MIDDLETON–Emily Zarndt Knoche, age 99, of Middleton, passed away on March 5, 2020, at Agrace HospiceCare. She was born in Madison on Nov. 10, 1920, to Fred Zarndt and Ella (Wittenberg) Zarndt. She married Roland Knoche in Middleton on Oct. 1, 1939.

Emily attended Madison Business College after graduating from Middleton High School. She worked as an editorial assistant at the American Society of Agronomy. She enjoyed golfing at Lake Wisconsin Country Club, spending time at the family cabin in Couderay, bowling (especially state tournaments!), traveling, attending Badgers football and basketball games and performances of her children and grandchildren.

MOUNT HOREB–Craig W. Hanson, age 77, passed away on March 3, 2020, at Agrace HospiceCare. 

A celebration of Craig’s life will be held at Gunderson West Funeral and Cremation Care, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, from 3-5 p.m. on April 4, 2020. A full obituary will be published in the March 26, 2020 edition. Online condolences may be made at gundersonfh.com.

MIDDLETON/WAUNAKEE–Leonard Werner Buechner, age 78, passed away on Feb. 28, 2020, at his home in Middleton. He was born on March 26, 1941, in the Town of Springfield, the son of Ludwig and Gertrude (Meier) Buechner. Leonard graduated from Waunakee High School.

Leonard worked for Rosenberg’s Grocery Store in Waunakee for several years. He then worked for UW Provisions until his retirement.

Leonard enjoyed working outside on his yard and maintaining a large vegetable garden. He was an avid sports fan. He especially loved watching the Minnesota Vikings and Twins.

Leonard is survived by sister, Rose Grosse; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Marie Schneider, Bernadette Haack and Henrietta Grosse; and brothers, Vincent, Norbert, Louie and Leo Buechner.

MIDDLETON/MT. HOREB/MADISON–Sharon Lee Zarndt, age 59, grew her angel wings and flew off to Heaven on Jan. 29, 2020, after a short stay at Fresno Heart and Surgical Hospital in Fresno, CA. Sharon was born on Dec. 26, 1960, in Madison, to Vernon Henry and Esther Dora (Shimniok) Zarndt.

MIDDLETON–Emogene M. (Simon) Frederick, age 90, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Feb. 3, 2020, at Brookdale Middleton Stonefield. Emogene was born on March 7, 1929, to John and Emma (Schmitt) Simon in Springfield Corners. She grew up in Springfield Corners, attended St. Martin’s Grade School and graduated from Middleton High School with the class of 1947.

Emogene married Vern Frederick on Jan. 16, 1951, at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Martinsville. She worked for the Wisconsin State Revenue Department. Emogene was then a stay at home mom with her children. She was a supervisor for the Middleton School Library Services. Emogene enjoyed going to U.W. football and basketball games and also enjoyed watching her grandchildren participate in sporting events. She really liked boating, snowmobiling and going on many family vacations, as well as playing in her ladies bridge groups.