Obituaries

MIDDLETON–Alice Elizabeth (Ripp) Hanson, 86, of Middleton, passed away on July 21, 2022. She was born on Feb. 25,1936, to Martin and Clara (Acker) Ripp in Ashton. On June 21, 1958, she wed the love of her life, Lawrence Ivan Hanson. Together they raised five children.

Alice graduated from Middleton High School in 1954 and went on to earn her associate degree in teaching from UW-Platteville. This began a fulfilling and impactful 40-plus year career, 36 of which were at Elm Lawn Elementary in Middleton. While teaching full-time, she continued her own education and received both her bachelor’s degree from Edgewood College and her master’s degree from UW-Madison. She took pride in being a “bear” early each school year, but she knew she was helping her students learn respect for themselves and others as well as teaching them integrity and responsibility.

MADISON–Theodore J. “Ted” Reece, age 87, of Madison, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2022, at his home surrounded by family. He was born on March 18, 1935, in Marshalltown, IA, the son of Vaughn and Ruth (Carter) Reece.

Ted grew up in Union, IA. He graduated from Union-Whitten High School and continued his education at Ellsworth College in Iowa Falls, IA. Ted married Mary Ann Leuze on July 31, 1953, at The Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. Together they raised three children, Pamela, Jeffrey, and Paula. Ted enlisted and served in the US Air Force from 1953 to 1957. After his military service, Ted owned and operated a local gas/service station in Union, until he was recruited to join the insurance industry. From that point on, he travelled throughout the Midwest and excelled in the insurance industry until his retirement.

FAIR OAKS, CA–Walter Stucki, 92, passed away at home on June 1, 2022, after a long illness with Parkinson’s disease. He was born near Barneveld to Alfred Stucki and Martha (Kung) Stucki on July 1, 1929.

Walter was a 1947 graduate of Middleton High School. On Oct. 17, 1953, he married Margaret Stampfli and had two children, Judy and Jim. He worked for the AB Dick Co. in Madison until he transferred with the company to their branch in Sacramento, CA, moving his family there in 1963. He retired from the AB Dick Co. in 1989 and enjoyed his retirement years traveling and working on home projects. He hated the snow and loved warm weather, so Hawaii was a favorite vacation destination. He also loved cruising to places like Alaska, the Caribbean and through the Panama Canal. After working at Zarndt’s Garage and Sub Zero in his youth, he could build or fix most anything, and enjoyed lots of home projects, large and small.

STOUGHTON–Timothy “Tim” C. Klongland, 73, passed away on June 14, 2022. He was born in Stoughton on May 18, 1949 to H. Owen and Jean Elizabeth (Anderson) Klongland.

He attended Stoughton schools and continued his education during a turbulent time at UW-Madison, and later graduated with a BA in Art.

In 1971, he married the former Karen Pohl, of Waukesha, who he met at the university. Tim was a successful buyer with Gimbels department store in Madison for many years before returning to the Stoughton area to become a real estate broker.

From the 1980s to early 1990s, Tim also ably served as the clerk of the Township of Dunkirk (in southeastern Dane County), and he was on the board of Middleton Insurance for many years.

MIDDLETON - Joyce Carol Blindauer, 93, of Middleton, passed away on June 10, 2022, surrounded by family. She was born on Dec. 24, 1928, in Iron Mountain, MI, the daughter of Guillamae and Harold Christian. In 1949, she met the love of her life, Donald J. Blindauer at her sister, Gloria’s wedding. They were married on May 19, 1951, at First Methodist Church in Green Bay and enjoyed 66 wonderful years together.

Upon graduation from Kingsford High School, Joyce moved to Green Bay and worked for the Veterans Administration and then became the private secretary to the president of Bay West Paper Company. After marriage, Joyce and Don moved to Madison where Don completed law school and Joyce worked for the Veterans Administration Hospital and then the Soil Conservation Service. She became a stay-at-home mom while her children were growing up after which she worked for Middleton Insurance Company and then became the secretary for Don’s law practice in Middleton until retirement.

CROSS PLAINS–Lynette “Lyn” Jane Passini, 73, of Cross Plains, passed away on April 27, 2022, after a courageous fight against lung cancer.

Lyn was born on July 6, 1948 at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison and grew up in Middleton. She was a 1966 graduate of Middleton High School where she was involved with Madrigal and Treble Clef singing groups.

Following high school, Lyn married James S. Passini of Middleton in April 1971, and attended UW-Madison. Shortly after college studies, she began employment at AnchorBank in Madison. While working there, a special group of co-workers created “the birthday club,” and for over 35 years they would have fun exploring towns in Wisconsin, traveling abroad, laughing and sharing memories. In 2014, Lyn retired from AnchorBank as Senior Vice President of Mortgage Lending after 43 years of service.

DANE–Joan J. Mack of Dane passed away at age 84 on May 28, 2022. She was born on Aug. 13, 1937 in Ashton, the daughter of Ambrose and Julia (Maly) Meinholz.  

In 1955, she graduated from Middleton High School where she was involved with the school's pep club, home economics, and the Cardinal Scroll. The inscription next to her portrait in her senior yearbook said "Modest and quiet, and a value to her class".

After graduation, Joan was employed at Miller's Ace Hardware, the Bank of Middleton, and at Middleton High School.  She married Roland J. Mack on June 9, 1959 at St. Peters Catholic Church in Ashton. They would later enjoy a honeymoon in Arizona and Nevada. At the time of their marriage Roland was employed at the Morey Airplane Company in the Town of Middleton. 

MIDDLETON–Nancy Ann Kippley, 84, of Middleton and Waunakee, died on May 15, 2022 at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg with her family by her side. 

She was born on July 15, 1937 to Raymond (Ray) Seneca Richardson and Anita (Babler) Richardson at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison. She grew up in Verona and was a 1955 graduate of Verona High School where she played the trumpet and was a member of the school's swing band.

A dear friend of Nancy’s set her up on a blind date where she met the love of her life, Roger J. Kippley, and they were later married on Nov. 15, 1960 at St. Mary of The Lake Parish in Westport. At the time of their marriage, she worked at the Wisconsin State Dept. of Motor Vehicles in Madison while he farmed at what would later be one of the largest and most successful farming operations in southern Wisconsin.

This little city girl turned country and she worked by her husband’s side farming while raising their beautiful family. 

COTTAGE GROVE–Former Cross Plains resident Rodney Allen Jewell, 71, passed away on May 12, 2022, at his home in Cottage Grove. 

On October 4, 1950, he was born in Middleton to Floyd and Ruth (Thomas) Jewell. Rodney graduated from Middleton High School in 1968, and later worked as a fabricator at Subzero Co. in Madison. Rodney loved fishing, hunting, and spending his time riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Rodney is survived by his son, Joseph (Kimberly) Pettit of Rewey; his grandchildren,    Lily, Myles, Rena, and Brynne Pettit; a younger brother, Thom L. (Christine Ostergard      Jewell) Jewell of Dousman, a niece, Tabbi Jewell, and her two children, Tyler and Sierra; and his dog Jax.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd (March 27, 1996) and Ruth (January 18, 2008), who were married on Nov. 25, 1936 in Pine City, MN; his paternal grandparents, George and Amy Jewell, and maternal grandparents, Walter and Nettie (McCloud) Thomas.

MIDDLETON–Margery Biel died May 26, 2022 at the age of 69. 

Marge was very active, and rode her horse, Melody, and was an avid cyclist, cross country skier and yoga enthusiast. She was very fond of her cat, Mr. McGriddles.

Cherished sister of Warren (Aida) Biel, Mark (the late Colleen) Biel, and David (Patty) Biel. Marge will be greatly missed by her nieces and nephews.

Marge was preceded in death by her parents John Biel and Shirley (née Cohen) Biel Krauss.

Special thank you for the excellent care from Agrace Hospice and Heritage Senior Living-Middleton.

Private graveside service will be performed at a later date.

Please share your memories at cressfuneralservice.com.