Obituaries

CROSS PLAINS–Cynthia E. “Cindy” Albertson, age 62, died on Feb. 13, 2019, at Agrace HospiceCare, after a courageous battle against Ovarian Cancer. She was born on Dec. 10, 1956 in Cross Plains, WI, the first child of Roman and Margaret (Ballweg) Ripp. Cindy attended Middleton High School and graduated in 1975. After graduation, Cindy continued to work as a teller in a local bank while taking classes at MATC. On Aug. 18, 1979, she married James C. (Jim) Albertson at St. Francis Xavier Church in Cross Plains, and a few months later purchased their first of four homes in Cross Plains. Together, Cindy and Jim raised three children: Elizabeth, Christine, and Andrew. In the spring of 1986, Cindy began her 33-year career at the State Bank of Cross Plains. Over the years, Cindy climbed the corporate ladder and became a senior vice president in 2004. She did this all while wearing her signature high heels every day, and not backing down to any challenge.

MIDDLETON-Rudolph C. “Rudy” Krofta, age 98, of Middleton, passed away on Feb. 2, 2019, at All Saints Memory Care. Rudy was born on Sept. 13, 1920, the son of late Rudolph and Mary (Kraus) Krofta. He graduated from Mishicot High School in 1939 and UW Madison Farm Short Course in 1941; and was employed at the University of Wisconsin Agriculture Experimental Farms of Madison and Arlington for 42 years as a mechanic and welder. Rudy married Florence A. Becker on May 10, 1947; they were married for 69 years at the time of Florence's passing in 2017. Rudy and his wife enjoyed going to dances, mainly in New Glarus where they enjoyed old time waltz and polka music. They traveled to places of interest, and their grandson, Matthew, looked forward to joining them on his summer vacations from school. Rudy served his country in World War II with the 541 Ordinance Company in England, France, Belgium and Germany.

SAVANNAH, GA/MADISON–William E. “Bill” von Rutenberg passed away peacefully at his home in Savannah Georgia on Jan. 12, 2019 after a brief illness. He was just a few weeks shy of his 91st birthday. He is survived by his wife, Jane von Rutenberg, her son Jim Godron, and daughter Linda (Allan) Julliard (children Walker and Hayden), and sons Bill (Debbie) von Rutenberg (Kimberly), Jack (Tammy) von Rutenberg (children Jeremy, Jordan, Marina), and Robert (Kris Kalb) von Rutenberg. He was preceded in death by his wife Betty von Rutenberg, his grandson Ryan von Rutenberg, and his parents William E. von Rutenberg, Sr. and Jeanette (Moe) von Rutenberg. 

MIDDLETON/MARTINSVILLE/CROSS PLAINS-Dolores Mary Ann (Laufenberg) Simon, age 92, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Jan. 23, 2019, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison. Dolores was born July 15, 1926, in the town of Springfield, the daughter of Adolph and Christina (Krantz) Laufenberg. She attended St. Peter’s Catholic School in Ashton. Dolores married the love of her life, John M. “Jack” Simon, on Aug. 5, 1947, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Madison. 

Anita Lou "Ann" Schlough, age 88, of Fall River, passed away on Jan. 18, 2019, at Home Again ALF. She was born on Oct. 18, 1930, in Lansing, WV, the daughter of Guy Workman and Mamie Lewis. Anita graduated from Ansted High School in West Virginia in 1948. She and Leslie Schlough were married in June 1948 in Mazomanie until he passed in November 1979. She worked as a nursing assistant for the VA Hospital. She loved old country music and watching her children and grandchildren playing sports in the summertime. You could often find her singing either by herself or with her sisters.

Anita is survived by her children, Gilbert (Karen Voth) Schlough, Dixie Shaw, John Schlough, Leslie (Paramjit Singh) Schlough, and Gary (Elizabeth) Schlough; sister, Lois (David) Wilkinson; 16 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and many extended family and friends.

CROSS PLAINS-Catherine Clevie Hatcher, age 85, of Cross Plains, passed away on Jan. 13, 2019. She was born on Sept. 19, 1933, in Newsoms, VA, the daughter of Bennie and Iola (Atkinson) Hatfield. She married Frank Hatcher on Sept. 17, 1983, in Middleton. Catherine worked as a CNA for Brookdale Assisted Living until retiring in 1998. She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, word searches, ceramics, bowling and dancing to country music with her late husband. 

Catherine is survived by daughters, Vickie Pailing, Nickie (Vadney) Hanson, Cathy (Tracy) Lombardi and Lori Cutrell; son, Ron Cutrell; eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and parents. 

MIDDLETON-Mark C. Elliott, age 53, of Middleton, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019. He was born on July 22, 1965, in Reedsburg, the son of Charles and Kathy A. Elliott. Mark graduated from Middleton High School in 1983. Mark married Amy Turnquist on May 31, 1997.

CROSS PLAINS-Bernadine Ellen “Bee” (Dusik) Bowar, age 89, died Jan. 21, 2019, at Agrace HospiceCare in Madison, WI. Bee was born at home in Janesville on May 11, 1929, to Sigmund Dusik and Anastasia Vlasak Zumanek Dusik (VonWolfskeel). She attended St. Mary’s Grade School and Janesville High School, where she graduated in 1947. She worked at Parker Pen Company in Customer Service and Research Departments for 14 years.

Bee and Victor “Butch” Bowar were married on Sept. 3, 1960. In Cross Plains, Bee volunteered for many years at Park School, St. Francis Xavier School and Middleton High School. She was an active member of St. Francis Xavier Church and also a member of the Christian Women and Legion Auxiliary Post 245. Bee enjoyed a second career at the State Bank of Cross Plains, where she worked for 14 years.

Middleton -

Diane A. Lange, age 63 of Middleton, WI, died on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at her home.  She was born on April 21, 1953 to Oscar P. and Vera H. (Smith) Lange.    

She is survived by her children: Tamara Vigus of Stevens Point and Julian Lynch of Green Bay;  and their father, Merlin Beckwith of Stoughton; three grandchildren:  Cheyenne, Vivian, and Alexander;  three siblings: Gary Lange, Duane (Jackie) Lange, and Mark (Anna) Lange, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Leon; a sister, Sharon; and aunts and uncles. 

Wendy Lee Rush (Wixson), 48, and James (Jim) Carl Rush, 52, were killed in an automobile accident on Friday, February 19, 2016, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. 

Jim and Wendy were parents, aunt and uncle, mentors, coaches, volunteers, co-workers, and friends within the Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois communities in which they resided over their 21 years of marriage.  Since 2011 they have made Green Bay their home with their two children, Megan and Christopher, who are currently a freshman and a junior, respectively, at Pulaski High School.

Wendy was born July 1, 1968 in Flint, Michigan and graduated Flushing High School in 1986.  Raised by Jean and Ray Hagan who reside in Flushing, MI, she has one brother, Ronald Wixson, who lives in Saginaw, MI with his four children.