Obituaries

WAUNAKEE/BONITA SPRINGS, FL–Alice E. Schmitz, 91, passed away peacefully on Jan. 18, 2020 at Joanne’s House at Hope Hospice in Bonita Springs, FL.

She was born on September 3, 1928 in Taylor, WI, daughter of Ingvold and Anna (Peterson) Olstad. After graduating West High School in Madison, she worked at the Dane County Title Company. On June 21, 1947 she was married by the late Msgr. Wilfred Schuster to Robert W. Schmitz at St. James Catholic Church. She was a homemaker in Eau Claire, Hales Corners and Madison. In Madison, she worked eight years in the office of Crescent Lighting and enjoyed volunteering at the UW Hospital gift shop. Alice and Bob enjoyed traveling, taking trips to Germany, France, Switzerland and many cruises. They took many camping trips to several states with their children. 

MADISON-Vicki Jeanne (Mergen) Spink passed away on Jan. 3, 2020. She will be greatly missed by family and friends. 

Vicki began her journey on Jan. 7, 1945, growing up in Middleton, with her siblings, Judy Reynolds, David Mergen, and Annette Smith, who all remember her fondly. She graduated from Union High School in Middleton in 1963 and married Paul Edward Spink from Oregon on Oct. 5, 1964,

With their family, Paul and Vicki spent many years living at various points throughout the Midwest and South–Rockford, Il, Houston, TX, Appleton, Kingwood, TX, St. Charles, IL, Fond du Lac, Lewisville, TX, and Flower Mound, TX.  Vicki most recently lived in Austin, TX to be near her children and grandchildren. 

Vicki touched many lives–a warm-hearted and avid quilter, crafter, bridge player, photographer, volunteer organizer, volunteer firefighter, and friend. Her ready smile and quick wit endeared her to many who will always hold her laughter in their memory. 

MADISON-Vicki Jeanne (Mergen) Spink passed away on Jan. 3, 2020. She will be greatly missed by family and friends. 

Vicki began her journey on Jan. 7, 1945, growing up in Middleton, with her siblings, Judy Reynolds, David Mergen, and Annette Smith, who all remember her fondly. She graduated from Union High School in Middleton in 1963 and married Paul Edward Spink from Oregon on Oct. 5, 1964,

With their family, Paul and Vicki spent many years living at various points throughout the Midwest and South–Rockford, Il, Houston, TX, Appleton, Kingwood, TX, St. Charles, IL, Fond du Lac, Lewisville, TX, and Flower Mound, TX.  Vicki most recently lived in Austin, TX to be near her children and grandchildren. 

Vicki touched many lives–a warm-hearted and avid quilter, crafter, bridge player, photographer, volunteer organizer, volunteer firefighter, and friend. Her ready smile and quick wit endeared her to many who will always hold her laughter in their memory. 

CROSS PLAINS–Marilyn A. (Leary) Dahlby, age 77, passed away on Jan. 4, 2020 at Sauk Prairie Health Care, surrounded by family. She was born on March 6, 1942, in Dodgeville, the daughter of Ruth and Leo Leary in Ridgeway. Marilyn attended Ridgeway High School and MATC in Madison. She worked at various places in Madison and Milwaukee. 

On Aug. 6, 1966, she married John A. Dahlby at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Madison. Marilyn enjoyed her family, especially her grandchildren. She also enjoyed reading, playing cards, cooking, camping and golfing. 

Marilyn is survived by her husband, John; sons, Jason (Debra) Dahlby of Lodi and Aaron of Lagrange, GA; grandchildren, Clayton and Alyssa Dahlby of Lodi; brother, Patrick (Helen) Leary of Madison, and many nieces, nephews and extended family. She was preceded in death by an infant son; her parents; and sisters, Mabel Magli and Elaine Campbell. 

MADISON-Lila Mae (Rule) Meyer, age 85, Madison, died on Dec. 31, 2019.  She was born in Linden, the daughter of Elwin and Matilda (Prohaska) Rule on Feb. 16, 1934.  

Lila is survived by her husband Ralph; daughter Joette; son Paul (Laurie McAllister).  She was extremely proud to be grandma to Ian and Ryan, Paul’s sons. She is further survived by other relatives and friends.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Jan. 4, 2020 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 602 Everglade Dr., Madison, WI 53717 with Father Bart Timmerman presiding. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of mass. Immediately following mass, Lila will be brought to her eternal place of rest at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Madison. A luncheon will be served at the church.

The family would like to thank St. Mary’s hospital and SSM Health at Home staff for their compassionate care.

CROSS PLAINS–August L. Butler, age 88, passed away on Dec. 28, 2019, at Sienna Meadows. He was born on Jan. 19, 1931, in Cross Plains, the son of Leroy and Hulda (Scheele) Butler. He married Shirley Schoephoerster on May 14, 1960. 

August owned a successful upholstery business in Cross Plains and was a proud member of the Cross Plains Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, and he was a gifted woodworker, building furniture and doing wood crafts. More than anything, he loved his two grandchildren.  

August is survived by his wife; daughter, Mary Ann Butler; sons, Kenneth Lee (Peggy) Butler and James Michael Butler; grandchildren, Joshua Lee Butler and Amanda Sue Butler; and many dear relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, William Butler and Donald Butler; and sister, Grace Fulgrabe.

MIDDLETON/MADISON–Michael Scott Nicholson, age 51, passed away at his home in Madison on Dec. 26, 2019. He was born on Nov. 18, 1968, in Madison, the son of Michael and Carol (Eslinger) Nicholson. Scott lived in Middleton and Madison for his entire life. He graduated from Middleton High School and then attended the University of Wisconsin. He sold life insurance and investments, then joined Wisconsin Mutual as a claims adjuster. Most recently, he worked at Costco.

Scott was an avid sports fan with a special interest in baseball. He played Home Talent for Cross Plains and then coached little league for many more years there. He was always the one doing the goofy things at family functions, which earned him the title of “Uncle Buck.” Scott will be dearly missed by all of us.

MIDDLETON–Kimberly Kay (Rowley) Herrling, a proud mother and office employee of Piggly Wiggly of Waunakee, passed away peacefully in the embrace of her family, on Dec. 17, 2019, in Madison, at the age of 52.  

Kimberly is survived by her children, Whitnee (Leighton) Otto, Jordann Herrling and Sydnee Herrling; her parents, Edward and Catherine Rowley; siblings, Steve (Marianne) Rowley, Suzanne (Richard) Wipperfurth and Deborah Rowley; and her fiancé, James King.  

Kimberly was born in Newton, IA on Aug. 11, 1967. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Kimberly especially enjoyed the outdoors, traveling, spending time with her daughters and hosting gatherings at her Middleton home.  

We would like to graciously acknowledge UW Carbone Cancer Center in Madison, especially Dr. Huie, for all of the care and compassion Kimberly received. 

ASHTON/MIDDLETON–Jerome W. Wagner, age 93, passed away peacefully on Dec. 12, 2019, in his home surrounded by family. He was born on Feb. 7, 1926, the son of William and Margaret (Brabender) Wagner. Jerome was united in marriage to Theresa M. (Bollenbeck) Wagner on Oct. 19, 1950, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Together they farmed in the Middleton/Ashton area for 55 years. After Theresa passed, he continued to guide the farm with his sons and he never retired because farming was his passion. 

MIDDLETON–Lawrence (Larry) Hanson, age 85, passed away Dec. 10, 2019 at his home.

Larry was born on Feb. 24, 1934, to Adele and Ivan Hanson in Madison.

Larry married the love of his life, Alice (Ripp) on June 21, 1958. Together they raised five children. Larry felt truly blessed to have had such a wonderful family and so many friends.