Obituaries

MIDDLETON–Allen C. Demmin, 95, of Middleton, passed away on May 22, 2022. He was born on June 16, 1926, to the late Carl W. and Lydia (Herman) Demmin, in Sheboygan, and was educated in the public schools there. After graduation from Central High School in the Class of 1944, he entered the US Army in August 1944, took basic training in Florida, and was sent to Europe early in 1945. He was a member of the 87th Infantry Division Artillery, serving in France, Belgium and Luxemburg (Battle of the Bulge), and then in Germany until the end of the war in May 1945. He returned to the US and was stationed in Georgia, Idaho and Louisiana until being honorably discharged in July 1946. 

MADISON–Terrence Patrick McGovern, 85, passed away April 26 at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital. He was born Feb. 23, 1937 in Chicago the son of Anna and Thomas McGovern. 

Terry graduated from Loyola University with a degree in Industrial Management. After marrying the love his life, Jan Carlow, they resided in Omaha, NE. Terry was a loyal fan of Notre Dame Football.  

Terry is survived by his wife, Jan, children Kathleen, Terrence, and Stephen, sisters; Mary Kay, Anne, Margaret, Joan, and Rita C.S.J., and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Ellen, and brother Thomas.

A funeral service was held at 11:30 am May 25, 2022 at the Cress Center, 6021 University Ave., Madison. 

Please share your memories at cressfuneralservice.com

LITTLETON, CO–Lorna Lou Bucsek passed away in the early morning hours of Dec. 23, 2021, at home and surrounded by family. Lorna was blessed to be with her husband of 46 years, Charles, her daughters Genevieve and Angelita, her son-in-law Dan, and her five beloved grandchildren, when she passed. Lorna was born on October 12, 1948, in Chadron, NE to Robert and Lorraine Sandstrom, both deceased. 

MADISON/MIDDLETON–Everett J. White, 89, passed away on May 11, 2022, at the Madison VA Hospital. He was born on March 13, 1933, in Reedsburg, to Everett and Bessie (Underhill) White. 

Everett was the eldest of nine children and grew up on the family farm. He attended grade school in the Township of Ironton and graduated from high school in Reedsburg in 1951. After high school, Everett worked at Badger Ordinance Powder Plant until he was drafted into the US Army from 1952 to 1955. While stationed in Fort Sill, OK, he married the love of his life, Darlene R. DeVault, on April 28, 1954. They just celebrated 68 years together.

In 1961, Everett and Darlene moved to Madison. He worked at various car dealerships until he opened his own business, Monarch Motors, in Middleton in 1967. He retired in 2014. Everett was known as “Corvair Guy,” and he helped restart Capital City Corvair Club in Madison.

MIDDLETON–Allen Jeffrey “Jeff” Martin, 78, of Middleton, passed away on Dec. 13, 2021. 

Born and raised in Michigan, Jeff was a true Spartan, receiving his degrees from Michigan State University, earning his Ph.D. in 1969. Following graduation, Jeff worked for the US Forest Service in Princeton, WV, and then as a professor for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension. Following his retirement, Jeff began a second career as a photographer. He also volunteered with the Middleton Historical Society and Demeter and wherever needed. 

Jeff will be missed by his family for his ability to be there when needed but also allowing them to grow. He loved fly fishing but most of all he loved the challenge of catching and releasing a fish that he caught on a fly that he had tied.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Jan; sons, Joel (Mary) and Jonathan (Erika) Martin; grandchildren, McKenna and Jack Martin; sister, Sharon Olney; and sister-in-law, Georgia (Art) Ellwanger. 

MIDDLETON–Ruth Lucille (Fleuter) Yunker, 96, of Middleton, passed away on May 1, 2022, at St. Mary's Hospital. She was born on Jan. 3, 1926, in Racine, the daughter of Carl Fleuter and Marie (Nichols) Fleuter.

Ruth married Lyle Yunker on Feb. 12, 1949, and they enjoyed 67 years together before his passing. Prior to retirement, Ruth worked as a housekeeper at the University of Wisconsin Regency Dorms.

Ruth was a member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Middleton. In her free time, she enjoyed camping and travelling and was lucky enough to have seen most of the US. She also enjoyed spending time with friends and family.

Ruth is survived by her sons, Raymond (Nancy) and Larry; grandchildren, Tracy Woodward, Jason Yunker, David Yunker, Travis Yunker and Jaina Drenski; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Lyle. 

MIDDLETON–R. Michael “Mike” Harrop, 76, of Middleton, passed away on May 4, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on Jan. 7, 1946, the son of Donald R. and Veronica (Statz) Harrop. He married Elaine Miller on May 28, 1966.

After Mike graduated from Middleton High School in 1964, he served in the US Army Reserves and then started his graphic arts career and retired from Litho Productions. Mike was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, snowmobiling, boating, water skiing and snow skiing. He was a Charter Member of Cross Plains Valley Archers and a member of the Oak Ridge Rifle Club. Early spring to late fall, Mike played golf with his Class of ’64 buddies. Hunting and fishing trips with cousins and friends were much enjoyed events. “Hey, hey! Harpo!”

MIDDLETON–¬Phillip Ray Gaustad, 86, of Middleton, passed away on May 3, 2022, due to compromised health derived from cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and dementia. 

Phil was born on May 5, 1935, to parents Alton (Archie) Gaustad and Faye Wiggins (Amundson) in La Crosse. He attended Central High School and dropped out in his senior year at the age of 17, just short of graduation, to enlist in the US Air Force and serve in the Korean War. Phil spent most of his tour stationed in Japan and worked on cryptography and reading intelligence messages relayed on paper tape. 

MIDDLETON–Regena M. Prieve, 72, of Middleton, passed away on April 23, 2022, at UW Hospital. She was born on Aug. 18, 1949, in Hudson, the daughter of Richard and Ethel (Algren) Hanley. 

Regena graduated from Hudson High School in 1968 and attended UW-River Falls and MATC.  She worked as a registered nurse for UW Hospital and Clinics for over 30 years.

Regena loved her family very much. She dedicated many years taking care of her granddaughter, Amber, and supporting her children throughout their lives. Regena enjoyed traveling and taking adventures with her husband, and they adored spending time at their cabin together. She loved her dogs and enjoyed reading, watching football and going to church. 

PINE BLUFF–Elizabeth "Betty" Krantz, 90, of Pine Bluff, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2022, at Ingleside Manor. She was born on Feb. 25, 1932, the daughter of Bill and Clare (Morgan) Reisdorf.

Betty graduated from Mount Horeb High School in 1950 and married Harold Krantz on May 29, 1954, in St. Mary's of Pine Bluff Catholic Church. Betty was a dedicated mother, homemaker and farm wife. She also worked at Karakahl Inn and retired from CUNA Mutual.