Obituaries

ARENA–Larry Severtson, age 73, passed away quietly on Oct. 20, 2020, at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg. Larry was born June 18, 1947, in Mount Horeb. He attended school there before moving on to the University of Wisconsin at Platteville, where he graduated with a degree in Biological Sciences.

Larry worked through several different positions with the Department of Natural Resources before settling in as the Forestry Technician in Spring Green in the ‘70s. Much of his work there focused on forest fire management involving fire suppression, prevention and equipment management. He worked in Spring Green through his retirement in 2001. During that time, Larry was involved in his labor union, holding a variety of leadership positions. In retirement, Larry worked as manager of forest fire suppression air operations throughout the United States for US Forest Service and BIA.

MIDDLETON / TOWN OF SPRINGFIELD–Richard E. "Dick" Williamson, a witness to much of his beloved country's history, passed away on Sept. 24, 2020. Born in Dayton, OH, on Aug. 15, 1928, Dick had to get away from his hometown to discover his love of aviation. He attended elementary school and graduated from Fairview High School in Dayton in 1946, but it was the summer of 1945 when he convinced himself there was a big old world out there and he wanted to be more than just a spectator. Having hitchhiked across the country with one of his boyhood buddies that summer, Dick found himself high in the mountains of Idaho, manning a US Forest Service fire lookout on Clark Mountain where he spotted many Japanese "Fire Balloons” launched by submarine and intended to cause massive forest fires in the US. It was there that on Aug. 15, 1945, he celebrated his 17th birthday and heard the news of the Japanese surrender ending World War II.

Francis “Frank” O’Connor

MIDDLETON–Jeanne Demergian, nee Betty Jeanne Boeing, passed away peacefully on Sept. 25, 2020 at her home in Middleton, after a lengthy illness bravely borne, with family at her side.

Jeanne was born on July 17, 1929 in Woodstock to Edgar and Alice (Ferguson) Boeing. She grew up on a farm in Richland County, where, as a small girl, she harnessed the big horses that helped work the farm, and where her inseparable playmate was a pony named Chief. While attending Richland Center High School, Jeanne played the French horn and also played piano and sang in a trio. She loved cheerleading, especially at football games, and she became a lifelong Packers fan.

MADISON–Dolores “Dolly” (Dahmen) Shiveler, age 97, passed away on Sept. 8, 2020, at Four Winds Manor in Verona. Dolly was born on Oct. 13, 1922, to Joseph and Regina (Grosse) Dahmen. She married Edward Shiveler on April 20, 1942. They had four children, Sandy Shiveler, Pam Voss, Paul Shiveler and Teri Quamme. 

Dolly attended Middleton High School but never graduated. When her husband Ed was in the service, she got her GED. She went on to college where she graduated in 1940 as a cosmetologist. She started working at John’s Beauty Salon in Middleton in 1954 but then started her own business.

WAUNAKEE–Following respiratory complications, Roger Housner passed away peacefully at the age of 73, with his three sons (Ryan, Chad and Ross) and significant other (Kay Hansen) by his side at St Mary’s Hospital in Madison. 

Born to Arlene and Virgil Housner on February 24, 1947 at Richland Center Hospital, Roger spent the majority of his life in the Madison area. Most notable were the nearly 40 years he spent in Cross Plains with his late wife, Connie Mae Housner, raising their three sons. An active member in his community and children’s lives, Roger was a Cross Plains Jaycee and youth soccer coach for many years. 

CROSS PLAINS- Robert J. “Bob” Westphal, of Cross Plains, was called to rest on Aug. 29, 2020, surrounded by his wife and family after 95 years of a life well-lived. He was born on July 26, 1925, to Otto and Helen (Parman) Westphal at home in the Town of Berry. Following a successful blind date, Bob married Lorraine Greenheck in 1947. By each other's side for over 73 years, they raised six children and stayed strong in their faith. 

Bob was a lifelong farmer who worked hard, a husband who loved his wife, a father who loved his children and a neighbor who was always there to lend a hand. Many knew Bob from his long-time livestock trucking business and farming days in Cross Plains and Soldiers Grove.   

More recently, Bob enjoyed going for drives, feeding his orioles, and talking about the good ol’ days with family, friends and the Saturday breakfast crew. His familiar stories were always time-stamped with the year of whatever Model-T or tractor was involved.  

MIDDLETON–Ruth Clare Wood, age 85, of Middleton, passed away on Aug. 3, 2020, at Agrace HospiceCare. She was born on Dec. 17, 1934, in Portage, the daughter of Eugene and Esther (Gerstenkorn) McMahon. Ruth graduated from Portage High School. She married the love of her life, John "Jack" Wood, on Dec. 28, 1957.

Ruth was a longtime resident of Middleton, living in and staying involved in the community for over 50 years. She worked for the City of Middleton for nearly 40 years, retiring in 1998. She enjoyed spending time with her friends in card clubs, playing Bridge, bowling, traveling and shopping. Most of all, Ruth loved spending time with her grandkids and attending all of their events and activities. She loved celebrating the holidays with her family, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas, and she brought joy to everyone with her presence. Her bright smile and kind heart will be missed by all who knew her.

MADISON - Von Lenord Byrd, age 81, of Middleton, passed away on Aug. 9, 2020. 

He was born on June 17, 1939, in Sevierville, TN, the son of Frank Byrd and Joanna (Lane) Byrd. Von graduated from Sevier County High School as Salutatorian of his class, and received a BS degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and an MS from North Carolina State University in Raleigh. 

Von came to Madison to work at the US Forest Products Laboratory. He married Maralyn Pongratz on Dec. 18, 1965. He returned to Raleigh to pursue his Ph.D. in Wood and Paper Chemistry, which he received in 1971. In 1975 Von moved his family to Stockholm, Sweden, where he did a post-doctoral year of study at the Swedish Forest Products Research Laboratory.

CROSS PLAINS–Joyce E. (Murphy) Blair, age 92, of Cross Plains, died peacefully at home on July 30, 2020.  She was born on July 1, 1928, in Dane County, to Joseph L. and Gladys (Garfoot) Murphy. She grew up in rural Pine Bluff and graduated from Mount Horeb High School.  

As a single parent, her devotion to her four children was unmatched. She worked hard all her life including several years at Badger Ordinance, SPL, Oakwood, and Rest Haven nursing homes, finally retiring at age 81. She was a member of St. Francis Xavier Church and Cross Plains American Legion Auxiliary (Unit 245). She proudly carried our flag in parades for many years.