Obituaries

MADISON–Judith A. "Judi" Green, 79, of Madison, passed away on May 30, 2023. She was born on March 3, 1944, in Sturgeon Bay, the daughter of Harvey Fairchild and Dorothy Krause.

Judi graduated from Gibraltar High School in 1962 and went on to earn her degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1966. In 1967, Judi married the love of her life, Douglas Green.

Judi dedicated her life to helping others, working as a social worker for Dane County. Throughout her distinguished career, she was highly respected by the Dane County Human Services and made a lasting impact on the lives of countless individuals and families.

Judi had a passion for the arts and frequently attended performances at The Overture Center. She was an avid ballroom dancer and could often be found showing off her latest pair of dancing shoes on the dance floor.

MIDDLETON–Marilyn Mullin Carien, 78, passed away peacefully at home on March 25, 2023. The daughter of George and Peggy Mullin, Marilyn was born in Bridgeport, CN.

Marilyn was a much-loved instructor at Madison Area Technical College (also known as Madison College) and a life-long musician who lived in Madison and the Middleton area for about 55 years.

After living in Connecticut for many years, Marilyn and her family moved to Kentucky, and later to Schenectady, NY, where Marilyn graduated from Niskayuna High School in 1962. She graduated from Cornell University in 1966, and she and her former husband, John Carien, moved to Madison in 1967. She received a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1983.

CROSS PLAINS–Paul Joseph Hady, age 84, passed away at home on May 5, 2023. He was born on July 7, 1938, in Watertown, the son of Jerome and Margaret (Stoll) Hady.

Paul graduated from Middleton High School in 1956. After high school, he went to work at Pet Milk in Middleton, for a short time. He was married to Marjorie (Haas) on June 30, 1960, and was a devoted, loving husband of 62 years. He started working at Kalscheur Implement Company in Cross Plains April 1959, until being drafted into the US Army in 1961. He completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in St. Louis, MO. Paul had three months of Medic training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. After medic training, he was stationed in Germany for 18 months; as a medic, returning home in September 1963. Paul completed his service in 1967, where he resumed his place of employment at Kalscheur Implement. He became part owner in 1981 and worked for 50 years, retiring in 2009 at the age of 71.

MIDDLETON–James (Jim) Loren Kallsen, 85, of Middleton, passed away peacefully at home on Dec. 24, 2022, surrounded by his loved ones.

Jim was born on April 29, 1937, to Louis Bernard Peter Kallsen and Ruby Gwendolyn Kallsen (nee Wilson) in Pipestone, MN. Jim graduated from Jasper, MN, high school and went on to study at St. Cloud State University. After college he began a career in banking in St. Paul, MN, and La Crosse. In 1959, Jim married his high school sweetheart, Patricia (Pat) Getrude Angell, and they went on to have two children together, Kevin and Kent.

DANE–David Peter “Dave” Esser, 52, died tragically on April 17, 2023, due to injuries sustained in a car accident. He was born on Oct. 22, 1970, to Michael Peter and Kathleen (Bowar) Esser. 

Dave grew up in Middleton, spending most of his childhood time on the Esser family farm. He loved helping Gramps Gilbert Esser, Great Uncle Leo and Uncle Tom. Dave attended school in the Middleton Cross Plains Area School District and graduated from Madison Memorial High School. He then went on to technical school and received his degree in auto mechanics. Dave worked for Aring Equipment for 20+ years. He developed a love of driving and cars at a young age. If it had wheels and could go fast, he wanted to take it for a spin. Tread marks could be found in several parking lots and back country roads. He also enjoyed taking a motorcycle and snowmobile out for spin as well. 

MIDDLETON–Mary Cleone (Coyle) Carlson passed away holding her daughter’s hand on Easter morning, April 9, 2023, at her home in Waunakee. Mary was born on Dec. 2, 1942, to Leo and Clara (Stoppleworth) Coyle in Madison. She grew up in the Dudgeon-Monroe Neighborhood on West Lawn Avenue, attending both Blessed Sacrament School and Edgewood High School (Class of 1961).

MERRILLAN–Susan Margaret Thorstad, 66, of Merrillan, and formerly of Cross Plains, passed away on March 11, 2023, at her home after a recent history with heart disease. Sue was born April 17, 1956 and was raised in Racine by her parents Donald and Margaret (nee: Lurth) Pfeiffer. She attended St. John Nepomuk grade school, graduated in 1974 from St. Catherine’s High School, and attended the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

Sue worked for a number of years as an office systems analyst for Sundstrand Corporation in Rockford, IL. In April of 1989 she married Thomas Carl Thorstad and they moved to Cross Plains where she was employed as a senior network engineer working in information technology and advanced communications at AAA of Wisconsin. Later, she owned and operated a landscaping and snow removal business. In 2021 she left Cross Plains and moved north to Merrillan.

HAZELHURST–Dale A. Schlough, 80, passed peacefully on March 11, 2023, surrounded by family after a short battle with lung cancer.

Dale was born on April 13, 1942, to Clarence “Buck” and Lillian (Ahrens) Schlough of Middleton. He married the love of his life, Patricia (nee Sills), on April 26, 1968. Together they raised five children.

Dale volunteered with the Peace Corps and served in the US Army, each for two years, after graduating from the University of Wisconsin. Both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees were earned at the UW-Madison. Dale had a long and very successful career in agricultural research at the University of Wisconsin and abroad.   He was a great leader who was held in high esteem by all who worked with him.

MIDDLETON–The remains of Pfc. William L. "Sonny" Simon of Middleton, killed in World War II are coming home after nearly 80 years.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has notified the family that the remains of Army Pfc William L. Simon of Middleton, killed on Nov. 5, 1944, have been accounted for, identified and will be brought home to Middleton, to be buried.

William LaVerne “Sonny” Simon was born on April 18, 1924, in Madison, to George and Margaret (Gorman) Simon. He loved his mother dearly and is fondly remembered as thoughtful and caring. Sonny’s military travel took him through various cities across Europe and he wrote home every few days. The family accumulated over 200 letters.

MONTELLO–Daniel Harry Relph, 77, of Montello, passed away on March 4, 2023, at Agrace HospiceCare. He was born on Jan. 12, 1946, in Madison, the son of Harry Relph and Gail (Lewis) Relph.

Daniel enjoyed a career as a business and drivers ed teacher at Middleton High School, retiring after 46 years.  Throughout those years, he also enjoyed coaching track and boys’ volleyball. He was an advisor for Future Business Leaders of America for 36 years. In his free time, he enjoyed being outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved making people laugh and treasured time with family and friends–he was the life of the party!

Daniel is survived by his son, Robert (Sheryl) Relph; sister, Bonnie Gail (Eugene) Juul; and two nieces, Shelly (Nick) Schroedl and Alicia (Scott) Lux; and six grandnieces and grandnephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Pearl Burdick.