Obituaries

MIDDLETON–Eugene "Gene" Arneson, 80, passed away peacefully on Sept. 4, 2021, with his wife, daughter, and son-in-law at his side. He was born in Stoughton and was raised by Carl and Anna Meyer. He proudly served his country in the US National Guard. Gene spent almost 53 years with the love of his life, Vicki, and together they built their life in Middleton, where they both operated one of the most successful towing and auto repair service stations in Dane County (Arneson's Auto Repair and Towing). Gene was an active member in the Middleton community where he was a former member of Middleton Sertoma, Middleton Optimist and the Middleton Good Neighbor Festival.

SAN DIEGO, CA–Jean Elizabeth Boyle Jolin died on July 28, 2021, surrounded by her family after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma in June 2021. Her survivors include her children Jennifer (Frank Konecny), Marc, Michelle MacLea (Rod), and Robert; and grandchildren Alexandra, Christina, Cole, Nick, Connor, Sharissa and Hannah and great-grandchildren. She also has four siblings Maurine Cloutier (Marc), Joe Boyle (Cathy), Colleen Mclaren (Wayne) and Kathleen Boyle. She often said she lived a wonderful life and felt loved by her family and friends. 

Jean was born on Jan. 25, 1935, in Sioux City, IA. 

She married Robert Jolin in 1955 and they moved to Middleton, WI in 1959. Jean was the first woman elected to the Middleton City Council serving from 1963-1968.

While raising her four children she returned to school and earned undergraduate and master’s degrees at UW-Madison.

CHICAGO, IL–Ann (Faherty) Peckham, age 95, passed away on Feb. 9, 2020. She was born on June 30, 1924, in Chicago, IL, to Roger and Eliza (Kilman) Faherty. On Aug. 28, 2021, three generations of family gathered for a memorial and celebration of her life. She was laid to rest in accordance with her wishes in her family plot at Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago. Ann was remembered through the words of her written memoirs and for her legacy of community service and political activism in Wisconsin.

Ann attended the Girls Latin School in Chicago for 10 years and graduated from The Knox School for Girls in Cooperstown, NY. Returning to Chicago in 1942, she entered St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing. After marriage and motherhood, Ann was active in politics with the Dane County GOP and later the Wisconsin Republican Party. She was a delegate to the 1976 and 1980 conventions and received the Wisconsin Women’s Political Caucus award in 1977, 1980 and 1995.

MIDDLETON–Mariann C. Miller, 80, of Middleton, passed away peacefully on Sept. 4, 2021, at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg, with her husband by her side after a brave battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born on Jan. 3, 1941, in Stoughton, the eldest daughter of Gerald and Mary Osborn.

Mariann graduated from East High School. She married John Miller on May 11, 1963, in Middleton. Mariann’s life was centered around being a wife and mother. She had a love for crocheting, making many blankets for her children and grandchildren. She also loved sewing, ceramics, and needle point. Additionally, Mariann enjoyed collecting bells and angel figurines. Her favorite activity was going camping with her family and continuing that on with her husband to many destinations around the United States.

MARSHALL–Ms. Doris Maier,85, of Marshall, passed away on July 8, 2021, with family by her side.

Doris was born on July 21, 1935, to George and Lena (Laufenberg) Wagner in Middleton. On August 12, 1954, she married Army Staff Sgt. Earl William Maier, the son of Mathias M. and Susanna (Susan) Rose (Maerz) Maier, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Ashton, and later they had a honeymoon trip to Niagara Falls, NY and Canada.

The couple first farmed outside of Westport, and then in 1969 they moved to Marshall where they resided and farmed for many years.

Doris’ enjoyments were with her family, the farm, and reading whenever she could. She was a gentle, loving person always willing to listen to her children’s and grandchildren’s concerns with the promise they would be in her prayers.

CROSS PLAINS–Michael (Klink) Statz of Cross Plains, passed away from a short, but courageous battle with cancer on Aug. 22, 2021, at his home, surrounded by his family. He was born on Aug. 19, 1949, in Madison, the son of Herbert and Dorothy Statz. He married LouAnn Pertzborn on Aug. 4, 1990, in Madison. 

Mike attended Middleton High School and then he worked as a painter for the family business, Statz & Harrop, eventually becoming co-owner of Statz-Painting & Decorating with his brother. Mike was an avid outdoorsman. Hunting and fishing with his family and friends was his passion. He also enjoyed time at home driving his tractor and working on his land. His greatest joys were his three grandchildren, his beloved beagles and his home that he and his wife created to share with his family.

WAUNAKEE–Carrie S. Munz, 62, of Waunakee, passed away on Aug. 25, 2021, as she took her final ride on her broomstick across the sky. She was born Aug. 9, 1959, in Madison, to Robert Munz and Anna Mae Gallagher. She was one of seven children, and to say that neither her family nor the world were prepared for her arrival is truly a testament to her character.

Many words could be used to describe to her. Spirited and strong willed, a hilarious firecracker of a woman with a wild sense of humor, she was as vibrant as she was complicated. She was as human as the rest of us, and to know her was to know her warmth as well as the storms she carried with her.

MADISON–Marvin L. Conney, 94, of Madison, died on March 25, 2021, in Palm Desert, CA. 

He was born on March 17, 1927, in Milwaukee, the son of Nathan and Belle (Burstein) Conney. Prior to moving to Madison in 1964, he grew up in Ripon and Fond du Lac, and dropped out of high school to serve in the US Navy (1945-1946). He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in economics in 1950.

Marv's greatest blessing was to have found Watertown native Mildred Golper, the genuine love of his life and wife for over 65 years. His true feelings for her were best expressed in Irving Berlin's song "How Deep is the Ocean?": "How far would I travel to be where you are? How far is the journey from here to a star?"

MADISON–Janet N. Schmock, 94, beloved wife, precious mother and great friend, passed away at home, at 702 Schmitt Place in Madison, on July 28, 2021, surrounded by her loving family.

Janet (nicknamed "Girlie" as a child) was born Jeanette Naomi Punswick on Feb. 28, 1927, to her devoted parents, Ellen (Dahl) and Erling Punswick, who was born Erling Johan Samuelsen and emigrated to America in 1884 from Lofoten on the northern coast of Norway. Janet was the second youngest of 10 children. She was born and raised on the family farm in the township of Vermont, in northwestern Dane County. The family lived through tough times with no running water or electricity in the early years. She was confirmed at Vermont Lutheran Church in 1939.

LODI–Frances Adeline E. Gamer, 107, of 7129 Lee Road in Lodi, passed away on June 26, 2021. She was born on March 6, 1914, in the Pheasant Branch settlement area of what is now the northern portion of the City of Middleton, the daughter of Frank Paul and Anna Augusta Martha Augusta (Schuett) Muetz.

Frances married LeRoy "Roy" Donald Gamer on June 1, 1935, at German Lutheran Church in Middleton. She worked as a wiener skinner for the Oscar Mayer Company in Madison, retiring after 34 years. Frances was a member of Bashford United Methodist Church in Madison. She enjoyed flower gardening, dancing, playing cards and traveling.