Obituaries

Gerald O. Gunderson  

MIDDLETON–Gerald Olin Gunderson, a man who viewed time in terms of eras and epochs rather than in years or centuries, left us far too soon early on the morning of Jan. 7, 2021, at age 79. 

Jerry was born Jan. 1, 1942, in Green Bay, the oldest of three children born to Joe and Helen (née Fabry), in a family of teachers who valued education, curiosity, and hard work. The Gunderson kids grew up working on their family’s Christmas tree farm in Waushara County, planting and pruning trees in the chill of spring and selling them in the bitter cold of winter.

MADISON–Peter Bertz, age 68, of Middleton, passed away peacefully on Jan. 3, 2021, at the Madison VA Hospice.

He is survived by his sister, Lauren and her husband, Mike (Thommen) of Forest Lawn, MD.; his brothers, Paul and his wife, Phoebe (Lewis) of Fredericksburg, VA., Phillip, his wife, Linda (Gill) of Marshfield, and Patrick and his wife, Lorinda (Rainsberger) of Sanford, NCHe was born on April 19, 1952, in Marshfield, the son of John and Jane (Smith) Bertz, originally from Loyal, Wis. Peter graduated from Neillsville High School in 1969 and attended UW-Madison for a short period of time.  

MARTINSVILLE/MIDDLETON–Deanna Sue “DeDe” (Simon) Kessenich, age 64, passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on Dec 27, 2020. 

Deanna “DeDe” was born Sept. 6, 1956, in Madison, the daughter of John “Jack” and Dolores (Laufenberg) Simon. DeDe graduated from Middleton High School in 1974. While in High School, DeDe met the love her life, Dennis J. Kessenich. They were married on July 17, 1976.

More than anything else, DeDe loved times with her family: sporting events, especially those of her children and grandchildren, family traditions and vacations at the beach. Throughout her life, DeDe was a pillar of strength for her family and friends, she was admired by everyone who was lucky to know her. She always looked forward to shopping and lunch with her girls and extended family.

CROSS PLAINS–Lorraine E. Westphal, of Cross Plains, joined her husband in heaven as she passed peacefully at home on Dec. 29, 2020. Born April 27, 1926, in Lone Rock to Cornelius and Mary Greenheck, she joined a family of siblings she loved dearly. She married Robert “Bob” Westphal in 1947 and stood by his side for their 73 years together.

She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Always rooted strongly in her Catholic faith, she had a rosary in every purse and pocket. She was a living example of the love of Christ and taught us all how to love and be compassionate.

MIDDLETON–Shirley Haase, 92, went to heaven on Dec. 1, 2020. The beloved sister of the late Richard Onstad and the beloved identical twin to late Sharon Marie Splaine. 

The loving mother of Kathryn Noelle Lawler, John Michael Haase and William Onstad Haase. Loving grandmother to the late Nathan Michael Haase, Alexandra Marie Synnott, Jessica Emily Haase, Claire Noelle Lawler and James Braeden Lawler.  

Shirley truly made hundreds of lives brighter by her lifetime of service. She volunteered for several organizations including over three thousand hours with the Attic Angel Community. At a time when there was very little opportunity for those with disabilities, Shirley learned to transcribe books into braille and followed that up with swim lessons for the sight impaired. What a gift!  

MIDDLETON–Mary Elizabeth “Meme” (Funck) Stiloski, age 54, passed away peacefully on Dec. 8, 2020, at her home in Madison, surrounded by her children. Mary bravely fought a cancer diagnosis for over a year with unwavering resolve, faith and grace.  

Mary Elizabeth Funck was born to Thomas and Joyce Funck in Racine, on July 7, 1966. Mary was the youngest of three daughters. The Funck family moved to Middleton, in the year 1973. Mary was a sweet and shy little girl who adored her father. She enjoyed a happy childhood and the family lovingly called her our “Truly Scrumptious.”

Mary excelled in school. She graduated from Middleton High School in 1984 and later attended Madison Area Technical College. Mary went on to have a long and successful career in Medical Administration for several Froedtert and Aurora Clinics in the greater Washington County Area. 

MIDDLETON–Joyce Elizabeth Howard, age 96, entered into Heaven on Dec. 12, 2020. Joyce was born on the family farm in Wilson Creek on July 18, 1924, to LeRoy “Roy” and Stella (Jones) Radel. She was one of nine children who cherished her siblings. They were very close and spent a great deal of time telling stories and laughing. She was the Wisconsin State Dairy Queen in 1942, traveling the US to promote the dairy industry. 

Joyce married Chester Howard on Nov. 21, 1943. They celebrated 71 years of marriage before his passing in 2015. Chet and Joyce raised two children in Middleton. She loved her family and God’s word. She was a powerful prayer warrior. She taught Sunday school and participated in woman’s fellowship and bible studies over the years. She was a Proverbs 31 woman: of noble character, speaks with wisdom and clothed in strength and dignity. Joyce had no fear of leaving this world, as she knew she was going home to be with her Savior. 

WAUNAKEE–Eugene “Gene” Ralph Voegeli, 72, went to be with the Lord on Nov. 12, 2020 at Waunakee Manor in Waunakee. Gene was born to Ralph and Inez Voegeli on Leap Day, Feb. 29, 1948. A graduate of Albany High School in 1967, Gene took over the family farm after his father’s untimely passing and then farmed outside of Winslow, IL. for many years. After farming, he worked at Highland Chemical in Stockton, IL., Landmark Services in Juda and Middleton Co-Op in Middleton, always keeping in touch with the farmers in the area. Gene married Dorothy Helt Endres on Nov. 15, 2003. Gene deeply loved his family, John Deere tractors, fishing, being outdoors looking at the Fall colors, playing cards and games, taking an occasional trip in his Cadillac to Ho-Chunk, and going out for breakfast and coffee with his friends and family.  He was an avid Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers fan. Gene loved to tell stories and loved to laugh. He had a smile that would light up the room.

CROSS PLAINS–Mary Jane (Maerz) Esser, age 93, of Middleton, passed away on Nov. 12, 2020. She was born in Castle Rock on June 19, 1927, the daughter of Peter and Christina (Hying) Maerz. Mary Jane was united in marriage to Lawrence Esser on June 19, 1946, in Dane. Together Lawrence and Mary Jane bought the Esser family farm where they farmed and raised five children. Her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were first priority in her life. Mary Jane loved flowers, and she planted and maintained several flower gardens on the farm. She also loved music. She played guitar, accordion and piano. She was a member of a small band and played at many establishments in western rural Wisconsin and local establishments. She entertained residents of the Black Earth and Lodi nursing homes as well.

CASPER/LANDER, WY–Lois Simonson, age 103, passed away peacefully on Nov. 2, 2020 at the home of her daughter and son-in-law Sara and Verlin Pitt in Lander, WY. She lived with them for the past 12 years.

Lois was born in Groton, SD on Nov. 13, 1916 to Robert Bruce McCordic and Melvina (Maltby) McCordic. She had two sisters, Margaret and Ella and one brother, Robert (Bob). When Lois was four years old, the family went on a picnic, and her mother and sister drank from a contaminated well. They died from typhoid fever shortly afterwards in 1921.

Lois and her brother Bob were sent to Idaho to live with her maternal grandparents and her aunt Nellie on their farm in Rogerson, ID.  

The Great Depression had a profound impact on Lois. She and her brother lived alone in an old shack during the winter of 1931 to 1932 when she was 13 and Bob was 10. She complained of the ceiling plaster falling into the bread dough she was making on one occasion.