Obituaries

MIDDLETON–On Jan. 7, 2023, Richard Jon “Dick” Miller departed this earth unexpectedly in a place he wouldn’t normally have chosen–Las Vegas.

Born on Feb. 20, 1940 to Alpha and Edward Miller, Dick lived his formative years in Oregon, IL. He had two older siblings, Eugene and JoAnn, whom he admired and idolized.

Dick was a standout athlete at Oregon High School and lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He received a scholarship to the University of Wisconsin, Madison where he competed in track and cross country.

At UW, Dick developed an appreciation for other cultures and after one year of teaching Social Studies, he joined the Peace Corps. He spent two years teaching in Ethiopia. This decision to live abroad formulated his love of living a simple life and solidified his commitment to educating others.

MIDDLETON–Dennis Robert Sherraden, 76, of Middleton, passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 26, 2023, surrounded by his family after he sustained an injury from a fall.

SAUK CITY–Dean Alexius Woodas, born Jan. 3, 1936, in Patras, Greece, passed away peacefully on Jan. 5, 2023, surrounded by his children. Dean lived a lively and interesting life, growing up in Greece and immigrating to the US in 1955. He is survived by three children, Nick Woodas, Andy (Brenda) Woodas and Dena (Robert) Radtke; grandchildren, Melissa, Ben, Sydney, Oliver, and Abigail as well as great grandchildren and a younger brother, Dimitri Goutas.  He joins his wife, Louise Woodas, son, Alex Woodas, brother, Nick Woutas, and other family and friends as he finishes his amazing journey here on earth.

Dean was a resilient, vibrant, social, and fascinating man who was fiercely protective and loving of his friends and family. He was always one for a hearty laugh, a hug, story, or joke.

CROSS PLAINS–Iris C. Brunner, 92, of Cross Plains, died on Jan. 8, 2023, after a very brief illness, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on Nov. 9, 1930, in Blue River. She was the daughter of Harley and Alma (McKinney) Couey. She graduated from Blue River High School in 1948 and set off for the big city of Madison. On Mar. 27, 1951, she married her love, Gerald Brunner, from Cross Plains. Together they chose to make their home in Cross Plains where they owned Brunner’s Store, whose motto was “Pleasing you, Pleases us.” Those words were how she lived her life even after they sold the store in 1976.

In addition to helping run the store, Mom was busy raising eight children. When the kids were older, Mom worked several jobs including Lands’ End for all 17 years they had a call center in Cross Plains, retiring only when they closed in 2005.

HENDERSON, NV–Marilyn Virginia Maher, née Olsen, passed away surrounded by family on Janu. 2, 2023 in Henderson, NV, after a brief illness. She was 71.

The family was gathered to celebrate the holidays in Nevada where she and her husband, Robert P. Maher, Sr., planned to retire. The family always looked forward to this special time of year when they shared “Maher Christmas.” This year’s celebration was significantly special as the first time in years when all could come together from across the country.

CROSS PLAINS–Louise R. Klopp passed away peacefully on Jan. 4, 2023, at her home in Cross Plains, from natural causes.

Louise is survived by her daughter, Chris; her son, Roger; her grandchildren, Hans, Fritz and Liesel; her husband’s children, Marilyn, Patricia, Judith James (Fred); and numerous other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter; her mother, Myrtle; her siblings, Clarence, Henrietta, Edward, Leslie, Bertha, Harold and Scott; her daughter-in-law, Suzanne; and her husband’s children, Michael and Walter Jr.

JANESVILLE–We are sad to announce that John Eugene Gorman passed away on Dec. 30, 2022, at the age of 84.

John was born in Madison on Feb. 15, 1938, son of Eugene and Delores (Appy) Gorman. 

John graduated from Madison East High School in 1956 where he was active on the wrestling team.  He went on to study entomology at UW-Madison. In 1961 he married his wife Bernice Victorian with whom he raised four children.

For most of his career, John worked as an entomologist for the USDA at the UW-Russell research labs where he further specialized in the study of honeybees. The study of insects was a lifelong passion of his that included beekeeping at home, which provided fresh honey to family and friends for many years.

MADISON–Former Cross Plains resident Sandra "Sandy" Jo Jahr, 67 of Madison, passed away in her sleep at home on Nov. 1, 2022.

Sandy was born in Madison on May 19, 1955 to Ronald Jahr and Marcella (Sanftleben) Jahr.

She attended grade school in Cross Plains, and later graduated from Middleton High School in 1973. Afterwards, Sandy went to study at Wisconsin State University-Platteville (now known as UW-Platteville).

After college studies, Sandy's first job was an accountant at American Players Theater in Spring Green for 16 years. Later on, she was employed by John Deere Financial Loans from 1996 until her retirement in 2018. After retiring, Sandy enjoyed gardening, painting, puzzles, and arts & crafts.

MIDDLETON– Judith Marie Haag (Shelby) was born in Chicago, L on July 30, 1941 to James C. and Marie Shelby. She passed away in her home in Middleton, Wisconsin with her family by her side to be with God in heaven on Dec. 22, 2022. Judi’s optimism, love, humanity, and thoughtfulness were an inspiration to all who knew her and her abiding faith in Jesus Christ never faltered.

As a five-year-old child, Judi learned to ride horses and she continued her love of riding throughout her life. She won a first-place ribbon at the Chicago Riding Stables at age seven, but her favorite riding was at a guest ranch in Montana where she wrangled horses in the mountains at the break of dawn while her husband and children slept.

MIDDLETON–Mary M. Haack (Valentine) passed away Dec. 22, 2022 at the age of 98. Mary was born February 3, 1924 in Kenosha to Bernard and Pauline Kamieniecki. She grew up in Kenosha, graduating from Kenosha High School. She was the youngest of five siblings; Sister Anne Kamieniecki, Francis Palmer, Helen Luzar, and Tony Kamieniecki, all of whom are deceased.

Mary moved to Madison after WWII following her marriage to Gerald O. Anderson in February 1942. They raised four sons. She was preceded in death by sons Bruce-age one and Jerry-age 13 and husband Gerald in 1955. She lived with her two sons, Keith, and Greg, in her Monroe Street home until 1957.