Obituaries

MIDDLETON–On Oct. 20, 2022, Bret J. Carlson passed away peacefully at age 45 in Middleton.

Born to loving parents in Salt Lake City, UT, Bret grew up playing baseball, football, hockey and golf. As the oldest of five siblings, Bret was the ultimate big brother and was the anchor to his family. In his 20s, Bret owned Spinnerfall Guide Service, a premier flyfishing outfit on Utah’s famed Green River.

Bret and his wife Raenee (Bugarske) Carlson started dating in 2015, were married in picturesque Spring City, Utah, in 2017 and had their son Cooper J. Carlson in 2018. A romantic at heart and a family man, Bret shared unconditional love with his wife and son for the time they were afforded together.

SAUK CITY–Verna Elaine Winters, 100, of Sauk City, passed away on Oct. 21, 2022, at Maplewood Health Care Center. She was born on May 12, 1922, in Heaton, N.D.

Verna graduated from Heaton North Dakota Teachers College. She loved teaching and was involved in the Military in the Women’s Air Corps as a private citizen. She traveled to Washington DC and met her husband, Russell James Winters, there. They married on Nov. 20, 1950. She enjoyed her travels to Japan with Russ while he served during World War II. Verna loved sewing and cooking and could make the best baked goods.

Verna is survived by her son, Jon (Kristina) Winters; daughter, Kim (Arnold) Merkle; stepdaughter, Vida (Keith) Musselman; grandchildren, McKenzie (Dan) Syens and Brandon Merkle; and great-grandchild, Isabelle Syens. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Russell James Winters.

A private graveside service will be held. Online condolences may be made at gundersonfh.com.

MIDDLETON–Mike Middleton, 59, of Middleton, passed away on Oct. 23, 2022, at home. He was born on Sept. 22, 1963, at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison, to George Jr. and Dorothy (Schmidt) Middleton. Mike graduated from Middleton High School in 1983. He worked for The Bruce Company for 39 years. Mike loved anything Badgers sports. He had season tickets for several years to the Badgers Hockey games and enjoyed going to the games with his best friend, Pete. Mike also enjoyed watching the Packers.

Mike is survived by his mother, Dorothy; siblings, Richard (Jen) Middleton, Connie Cupp, Terry (Bobbi Lincks) Middleton, Karen (Barney) Foye, Darlene (Jack Flint) Middleton, Rita Middleton and Ronald Middleton; and brother-in-law, Roger Breunig. Mike is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Mike was preceded in death by his father, George Jr.; brother, Rickey Middleton; and sister, Mary Breunig

MADISON/MIDDLETON–Ramona Jean Clift, 98, passed away on Oct. 16, 2022, at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg.

She was born on Jan. 17, 1924, to Zelpha Mabel (Williams) Gochenaur and her husband Abner Z. Gochenaur, on their farm in the Township of Forest, near Viola. 

She graduated from Viola High School in 1941 and attended Madison Business College. Later, she would marry Viola native Richard D. Clift in Richland Center on Feb. 2, 1943. They spent the next few years living and traveling in North Carolina, Virginia and Washington, DC, where she worked for the Selective Service and the Internal Revenue Service while Richard "Dick" served in the US Army.

Carolyn Monthey, 76, of Middleton, passed away on Oct. 23rd, 2022.

Carolyn was born to parents Sidney and Mildred (Hundt) Seidner, on July 18, 1946, in Portage. She graduated from Portage High School and attended Madison Business College. She then worked for Wheeler, VanSickle, Day and Goodman law firm in Madison as an executive secretary and St Benedict’s Center in Middleton. She was highly regarded for her work ethic, sharp mind, impressive shorthand, typing speed and all-around ability to keep track of everyone and everything while simultaneously juggling at least 4-5 other tasks! She later went on to co-own several businesses and franchises together with her husband.

LAKE GENEVA–Rita D. (Whitmore) Stofflet, who was born into poverty in a Brooklyn, New York Irish tenement on Oct. 24, 1920, passed away at age 101 on Sept. 10, 2022, at Golden Years Assisted Living residential facility in Lake Geneva, with her daughter and son by her side.

Reflecting on life at age 100, Rita said: "You experience all kinds of tragedies and good things, and you get your money's worth. But I look at it, and I can't believe it was as wonderful as it was."

It didn't start out that way. Rita remembers having little food as a child, "eating fried potatoes and onions night after night" made by her single mother, Ethel. Later in life, always a member of the "Clean Plate Club", Rita would say: "I eat it all because I paid for it," and "I like anything I can get for nothing." (It's even funnier if you imagine her quotes said with her Brooklyn accent.)

MIDDLETON–Elizabeth Jane Crawford Maher died peacefully on Oct. 18, 2022. She was born in Iowa City, IA, on June 19, 1935, to Phyllis Martin Crawford and Bartholow Vincent Crawford.Her sister Rachel Ann was born in 1938. Jane attended Lincoln and University Elementary Schools and graduated from University High School. She was active in writing, music, forensics and drama. The privilege of traveling in Europe soon after the end of WWII was generously extended by Stuart Cullen MD and his family.

Jane attended MacMurray College and graduated in 1957 with Highest Honors and Phi Beta Kappa honors from the University of Iowa with a major in history. Her high school sweetheart, Louis James Maher, Jr., graduated in geology with the same honors. 

Sally Winter Agarwal, 92, of Middleton, (formerly of New Philadelphia, OH) died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Sept. 21, 2022.

Sally was born on July 23, 1930 in Pittsburgh, PA to Thomas Albert and Florence McCullough Winter. Sally went away to college at the University of Iowa where she graduated in 1952. Sally returned to Pittsburgh and taught in the local school system as a speech therapist. She lived in her parents’ home as a new graduate and saved her money in order to purchase a new white Chevrolet.

CROSS PLAINS–Marilyn Andrews Cashwell, 85, of Cross Plains, passed from this life into Jesus' presence after losing her battle to cancer on Oct. 13, 2022, just two days after celebrating her 64th wedding anniversary.

Marilyn was born on Dec. 21, 1936, in New Bedford, MA, the daughter of James and Ellen (Hjelm) Andrews. She graduated from New Bedford High School in 1954.

Marilyn married Dick Cashwell on Oct. 11, 1958, in Massachusetts. Although they grew up 850 miles apart, Dick's sister and Marilyn's aunt decided that they would be a perfect match–and they were right. Marilyn excelled in her chosen career as homemaker. She was a superb wife, mother, and grandmother, making each of them feel special.

She was a member of Midvale Baptist Church and a charter member of the Middleton Civic Choir. She loved music, which included singing duets and in choirs with her husband, Dick. In their later years, Marilyn and Dick enjoyed traveling.

\WAUNAKEE–Gerald “Jerry” Albert Hellenbrand, 71, of Waunakee, passed away on Aug. 20, 2022, after a courageous battle with colon cancer. He was born at Saint Mary's Hospital in Madison on Oct. 30, 1950 to Leander J. and Verena M. (Greiber) Hellenbrand.

He graduated from Middleton High School in 1968, and later served in the Army Reserves from 1969-1975 with the rank of Specialist 5. On May 27, 1972, he married Kristine Kay Laufenberg at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Waunakee.

Jerry started working for Graber Manufacturing Co. (later known as Springs Window Industries) in Middleton on the day he turned 18 and retired 44 years later at age 62.