OBITUARIES ES Friday, February 11, 2005 DEATH INDEX BENISCH, LaVerne 72 Prairie BRANCEL, Myrtle Roser, 106. Briggsville BROWNE, Dorothy 0., 81..... Verona DORLAG, setty, "Lou," 80. Prairie du Chien ELLINGSON, Helen 96 Monroe GARSKE, Normon 79. Madison GELLER, Robert 81.
Middleton JENSEN, Ruth 84 JENSON, Robert N. San Antonio, LARSON, John 67 Royal, LAUTZENHISER, Willis 79. SCHUEPP, Walter 77 Monroe THORNTON, Patrick Brodhead WARNECKE, Vickie 50. Madison WOOD, Christopher, 42. Madison Indicates organ and tissue donor.
PRAIRIE LaVerne A. Benisch, 72. died peacefully at his residence in Stoughton on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2005. He was born in Sun Prairie, on Oct.
26, 1932, a son of the late Oscar and Florence (Lessner) Benisch. He came to Stoughton in 1967, and was employed as a truck driver for Danco Prairie Farm Service Company for more than 25 years, prior to retirement. More recently he was employed by the Wisconsin Management Company in their apartment buildings maintenance. He married the former Betty Barr on July 19, 1969. He was a veteran of World War II.
He will always remember the great enjoyment he had as a child when his father took him to the Badger Midget Races: they watched from the railroad tracks and he became a loyal fan for over fifty years. He also enjoyed his hours spent fishing, gardening, playing, euchre, and was a loyal Packers fan. LaVerne is survived by his wife, Betty; his children, Vicki (Chris) Wegner of Sun Prairie, Denise Anderson Dan Hanson) of Stoughton, Don (Sonja) Anderson of Sacramento, Dan Anderson of Reedsburg, and Dennis Anderson of Stoughton; a brother, Jerome (Mary) Benisch of Sun Prairie; four sisters. Rosie Breunig of Waunakee, Arlene (Vincent) Statz of Sun Prairie, Delores Drunasky of Sun Prairie, and Virginia Bedner of Monona; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Shirley, Benisch of Sun Prairie, and Hazel Benisch of Sun Prairie; and two special friends, Fran and Donna Melaas of Stoughton. He was preceded, in brothers, death by Willis his par- and Don Benisch; and three brothers-in-law, Frances Bedner, Bernard Drunasky, and Melvin Breunig.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, Feb. 11, 2005, at 12:30 p.m. at OLSONHOLZHUTER-CRESS FUNERAL HOME with Monsignor Gerard Healy officiating. Burial will be Roselawn Memorial Park with military honors at 3 p.m. on Tuesday.
The family will greet friends at the funeral home from 11:30 a.m. until the time of service. Olson-Holzhuter-Cress Funeral Cremation Service 206 W. Prospect Ave. Stoughton (608) 873-9244 www.cressfuneralservice Brancel, Myrtle Roser Benisch, LaVerne A.
SUN BRIGGSVILLE Myrtle Roser Brancel, age 106, of Briggsville, died on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2005, at Divine Savior Healthcare Extended Care. Myrtle was born on Dec. 1898, in Baraboo, the oldest child of three born to John and Louise (Shubring) Roser. She attended high school and graduated from secretarial school.
Myrtle was employed as a secretary in the War Department in Washington, D.C., during World War I in the office of the General of the Army, John J. Pershing. She moved from Washington, D.C., and married Harm Brancel in Baraboo on Nov. 19, 1921. He preceded her in death in 1983.
Myrtle traveled over all of the United States and made two trips to Europe. She went to Africa in the 1960s to visit her son, Fred, who was an agriculture a missionary. She also enjoyed fishing and spending time with her family. Myrtle and her husband lived on Brancel Farms until she was age 96, when she moved to Harmony Manor and then to Divine Savior Nursing Home in 1996. She was a member of the Briggsville United Methodist Church for 83 years, where she had been a lay leader, a Sunday school teacher and a member of the Ladies Aid.
Myrtle also was a member of the Briggsville Rebekah Lodge for 76 years and a life member of the Marquette County Historical Society. Her hobbies included sewing, crocheting, flower gardening and especially reading books. She is survived by three sons, Earl (Betty) Brancel of Endeavor, Fred (Mary Ann Litwiller) Brancel of Monona, and Vaughn (Esther) Brancel of Endeavor; her daughter-in-law, Alice Brancel of Lewisville, Texas; 23 grandchildren; 48 great 12 Obituary Madison Gas and Electric as a service man for 35 years. Bill retired at age 58, after a long history of heart disease. He loved life, but most of all Bill loved his family and friends.
He brought out the best in everyone through his humor and selflessness. Bill is survived by his wife of 59 years, Isabelle; four children, Jim Lautzenhiser, Don (Katherine) Lautzenhiser, Cathy (Tom) Janquart and Donna (Mike) Leckwee; eight grandchildren, Russell (Jennifer) Lautzenhiser, Dr. Sarah (Jesse) Lautzenhiser, Eric and Andy Janquart, Nicole (Ron) Besser, David (Traci) Peth, and Ashley and Derek Leckwee; five great-grandchildren, Blade, Katelyn, and Gage and Paige and Ryan Peth; two sisters, Mary Koons of Howe, and Elizabeth Emans of Peru, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, George and and sisters, Pearl, Jean, Shirley, and Edna. Funeral services be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, at 11 a.m.
on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2005. Private entombment will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.
"Dad, because of your wisdom and strength, you will always be an inspiration us. Through your steady guidance, faith and love, you've provided us with all we've needed in our lives. But most of all, throughout the years, we have known that you've loved us because you have always been there for us. You will be in our hearts forever, and we know you will be looking down on us from Heaven. We are so proud of you! We love you very much.
We will miss you with all our hearts. Your loving Gunderson East Funeral Cremation Center www.gundersonfh.com Schuepp, Walter E. MONROE Walter E. Schuepp, age 77, of Monroe, died on Monday, Feb. 7, 2005, at his home.
He was born on May 4, 1927, in Verona, the son of Eugene and Bertha (Rettenmund) Schuepp. He was a graduate of Verona High School. Walter and Dorothy Wittwer were married on July 30, 1949, in Mount Vernon at Zwingli United Church of Christ. He was a cheesemaker in Verona, Evansville, Monroe, Warren, and Apple River, Ill. Walter was the owner of the Oak Brand Cheese-Butter distribution from 1976 until the time of his retirement.
He was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ. Walter enjoyed being outdoors, especially hunting and golfing. His other hobbies included sports, traveling and being with his animals. Surviving are his wife, Dorothy Schuepp of Monroe; daughters, Kristi (Mac) Davis of Pewaukee, Jeri (Eugene) Pliner of San Francisco, Kathy (Roy) Langley, Jr.
of Charlotte, N.C., and JoAnn (Andy) Affolter of Madison; grandchildren, Glenn Davis, Carl Davis, Ann Davis and Michelle Pliner; Keenan was predegrandchildren, Roy III and ceased by his parents; and brother, Charles. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2005, at 11 a.m. at ST. JOHN'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST.
Co-officiating will be the Rev. Gretchen Sylvester of St. John's and the Rev. David Michael of Lake Edge United Church of Christ in Madison. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Monroe.
Relatives and friends may call on Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at SHRINER- NER-HAGER-GOHLKE FUNERAL HOME, 1455 Mansion Drive, Monroe. A memorial fund has been established in Walter's name. Thornton, Patrick P.
BRODHEAD Patrick P. Thornton, age 36, of Brodhead, passed away at home of natural causes on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2005. He was born on Jan. 17, 1969, in Green Bay, the son of Eric G.
and Ann K. (Miller) Thornton. Patrick graduated from Brodhead High School in 1987. After graduation, worked for Advance Transformer of Monroe and many area cement contractors. He also loved all types of farm work with his special uncle, Steve Miller.
His passion was deer hunting and he also liked to fish and work on tractors. Survivors include his mother, Ann Thornton; children, Dannielle, Ashley and Cory; a brother, Eric (Jean) Thornton, Mineral Point; a niece, Stacey Thornton; mater( information: Marci Rosen, (608) 252-6320 Wisconsin State Journal a son, Paul (Tammy) Dorlag of Gulf Breeze, five grandchildren; three greatgrandchildren; and a dear cousin, Bev Kelley of Prairie du Chien. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2005, at 3 p.m.
GARRITY FUNERAL HOME CHAPEL, Prairie du Chien, with the Rev. Paul Graham officiating. A private family interment of the cremains will be at a later date in the Gays Mills Cemetery in Gays Mills. Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2005, from 2 p.m.
until the time of services. Ellingson, Helen M. MONROE Helen M. Ellingson, age 96, of Monroe, died on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005, at Pleasant View Nursing Home.
She was born on June 22, 1908, in Baron County, near Rice Lake, the daughter of Awalt and Jessie (Hamman) Eichstadt. She attended Argus and Watson rural schools in Green County. In 1924 she began as a Green County charter 4-H member and won many awards, including 1st place for an entry in the Chicago World's Fair. Helen and Ivan Ellingson were married at her parents home in Cadiz Township on June 21, 1928. They spent their life farming at Browntown until retirement Monroe in 1976.
She was charter member of Green County Homemakers Club of which she had been an active member for 65 years. She enjoyed taking part in plays in Monroe and Madison in the 1930s and 1940s. Helen was a member of Jordan Lutheran Church of rural Browntown, where she was a Sunday school teacher for many years. She continued with many of her groups and clubs until age 90. Her leisure time was spent playing cards, making quilts for her church and others, and daily visits with her many friends and relatives.
Helen ws employed by National Mutual Benefit Insurance Company as an agent for 51 years, retiring in November of 1985. She is survived by her son, (Donna) Ellingson of Monugene sister, Darlyne Gutzmer of Monroe; seven grandchildren; two step- step-grandchildren; 19 great -grandchildren; two great-great-; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ivan; a son, Duane; a brother, Walt; a sister, Pearl Sisson; and two grandsons, Scott Ellingson and James Ivan Ellingson. Funeral services will be held on Monday, Feb. 14, 2005, at 11 a.m.
at JORDAN LUTHERAN CHURCH, Browntown, with Pastor Dennis Perger officiating. Burial will follow in Jordan Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb.
13, 2005, at SHRINER-HAGER-GOHLKE FUNERAL HOME, 1455 Mansion Drive and 18th Avenue, Monroe. A memorial fund has been established for Jordan Lutheran Church. Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home 1455 Mansion Drive (608) 325-4306 Garske, Normon L. MADISON Normon L. Garske, age 79, died on Thursday, Feb, 10, 2005, in a local hospital.
Arrangements are pending at the Cress Funeral Home. Cress Funeral Service 3325 E. Washington Ave. (608) 249-6666 www.cressfuneralservice.com Geller, Robert E. MIDDLETON Robert E.
Geller, age 81, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005, at home surrounded by his family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7450 University Middleton, at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb.
14, 2005. Friends may call from 2. p.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb.
13, 2005, at the GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL HOME, 7435 University Middleton (near Parmenter Street). A complete obituary will follow in the Saturday paper. Gunderson West Funeral Cremation Center 7435 University Ave. (608) 831-6761 www.gundersonfh.com Jensen, C. STOUGHTON Ruth C.
Jensen, age 84, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005, at Harmony Living Center in Madison. Ruth was born on Feb. 26, 1920, in Stoughton, to Sigurd and Bertha (Fosdahl) Hansen. Ruth was married to Ellery Jensen who preceded her in death.
Ruth graduated from Stoughton High School in 1938. Ellery and Ruth farmed in Cottage Grove Township for 23 years. Ruth spent many years caring for others as owner of Morningside Care Center in Stoughton. She is survived by her sister, Margaret; two children, Ellery (Margaret) Jensen and Judith (Richard) Mahlkuch; four grandchildren, Kristine (Randy) Wilson, David Fobes, Sonja (Brian) Kremer and Erick (Colleen) Jensen; and six great-grandchildren, Trenton Wilson, Stefan Jensen, Jensen, Jared Jensen, Christian Jensen and Caleb Kremer. Ruth was preceded in death by her son, Daniel Paul; two brothers, Sigurd and Roger; and a sister, Austrid.
Funeral services will be held at GOOD SHEPHERD BY THE LAKE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1860 Highway 51, Stoughton, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2005. The Rev. Thomas Petersen will preside.
Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery. A visitation will be held before the service at 10 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to HospiceCare 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, WI 53711. The family would like to thank the staff at Harmony Living Center in Madison for their kindness.
Ruth, wife, mother, sister and friend You have served so faithfully the task put forth by your Lord in Heaven. With your kindness, you have touched many other lives and provided family, for many in your care who had no other family. To your family, you demonstrated how to live and survive with adversity and still keep a sense of humor. Your life. is complete, may you rest in peace with your Lord free of your physical infirmities.
Olson-Holzhuter-Cress Funeral Cremation Service 206 W. Prospect Ave. Stoughton (608) 837-9244 www.cressfuneralservice.com Jenson, Robert N. SAN ANTONIO, STOUGHTON Robert N. Jenson, formerly of the Stoughton area, died on Tuesday, Feb.
8, 2005, in Texas, where he resided. Services are pending; a complete obituary will follow. Olson-Holzhuter-Cress Funeral Home 206 W. Prospect Ave. Stoughton (608) 873-9244 www.cressfuneralservice.com Larson, John J.
FRONT ROYAL, MIDDLETON John J. Larson, age 67, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2005, after a long illness. He was born on July 10, 1937, in Fall River, the son of Lawrence and Alice (Hayes) Larson. John was united in marriage to Geraldine Frazer on June 6, 1959.
He was a technical engineer with the Department of Defense, retiring to Middleton in 1999. John was a talented craftsman, loved to cook and enjoyed down hill skiing. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Gerry of Middleton; son, John J. (Cathy) Larson of Front Royal, daughter, Debbie (Todd) Crawley of Deerfield; and grandson, John J. Larson III of Front Royal, Va.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Lillian; and brother, Larry. A celebration of John's life will be held on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2005, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 3 p.m.
at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison. Gunderson East Funeral Cremation Center 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420 Lautzenhiser, Willis J. MCFARLAND Willis J. "Bill" Lautzenhiser, age 79, passed away peacefully, at home, on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005.
He was born on June 7, 1925, in Akron, to Morris and Lehr (Landis) Lautzenhiser. Bill graduated from Urbana High School in 1943. Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1943 until 1946, and graduated second lieutenant-pilot. Bill was united in marriage to Isabelle Slauson on Feb.
9, 1946. He was employed by nal grandparents, Oliver and Naomi Miller, Brodhead; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his is father, on Dec. 3, 1999; and his paternal grandparents. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m.
on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2005, at D.L. NEWCOMER FUNERAL HOME, Brodhead, with Monsignor Thomas Campion officiating. Visitation will held from 10 a.m. until the time of the services.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established for Patrick's children. -great-great-grandchildren; other relatives; and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Phillip Roser; her sister, Mildred Roser; her husband, H.A. Brancel; and her son, Harland Brancel. Private funeral services will be held at BRIGGSVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, with the Rev.
Barbara Bolz officiating. Burial will be in Briggsville Protestant Cemetery. Friends call on Monday, Feb. 14, 2005, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.
at the PFLANZ MANTEY MENDRALA FUNERAL HOME in Portage. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Briggsville United Methodist Church. Browne, Dorothy O. "Dotty" VERONA Dorothy O. Browne, age 81, passed away on Wednesday, Feb.
9, 2005. She was born on Aug. 20, 1923, in Madison, the daughter of Stanley Baker and Olive Katherine (Parsons) Nielson. Dotty was united in marriage to Earl W. (Bud) Browne in 1946.
He preceded her in death on Sept. 2, 2001. Dorothy was a 2nd lieutenant registered nurse for the U.S. Army. She was employed with UW Hospital as a registered nurse until her retirement.
Dorothy is survived by a son, Kenneth Browne of Bellingham, a daughter, Patricia (David McMahan) Browne of Anchorage, Alaska; three grandchildren, Jessica Cheney O'Keefe of Madison, Christopher Cheney of Pasadena, and Tommy Browne of Bellingham, and a sister, Mary (Howard) Schultz of LaCrosse. In addition to her husband, Earl; she was preceded in death by her parents; and an infant son, Stanley Browne. Funeral services will be held at the GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL HOME, 7435 University Middleton, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2005.
Entombment will be in Roselawn Memorial Park, Monona. Friends may call from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Dotty was dearly loved by her family and friends and will be greatly missed. Gunderson West Funeral Cremation Center 7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761 www.gundersonfh.com Dorlag, Betty "Lou" PRAIRIE DU CHIEN Betty "Lou" Dorlag (nee Helgerson), age 80, of Prairie du Chien, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005, at the Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital. She was born on Aug. 1, 1924, in Gays Mills, the daughter of Harry and Marie (Sime) Helgerson. She was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
She married Arthur Dorlag in 1947 at the Mount Sterling Lutheran Church. He preceded her in death in 1995. She worked as an administrative assistant for the state of Florida for more than 20 years until her retirement. She was an active member of the community and belonged to the Eagles Auxiliary, Women's Civic Club, Friends of the Villa Louis, the Historical Society and the UWMadison Alumni. Lou also enjoyed and was active in the performing arts.
She is survived by two daughters, Kitt (Archie) Maynard of Moore Haven, and Susan Dorlag of Tallahas- Warnecke, Vickie L. MADISON Vickie L. Warnecke, age 50, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005, after a short, yet courageous, battle against cancer. as born on Oct.
12, 1954, the daughter of LaVern and Mary Lou Ringstad. Vickie worked for Madison-East Wal-Mart for several years. She is survived by her sons, Scott Warnecke and Jimmy Warnecke; daughter, Mindy (Chad) Schulz; grandchildren, Kayle, Courtney and Dillion Warnecke, and Travis and Tim Warnecke; brothers, Rick and Steve Ringstad; sister, Burt Zimpel; special niece, Kari Marks; and further survived by other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; grandaughter, Eliza Mary Lou Schulz; and sister, Carol Stroede. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Feb.
12, 2005, at 2 p.m. at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive. Visitation will be on Saturday, from 1 p.m. until the time of the services at the funeral home. Gunderson East Funeral Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420 www.gundersonfh.com Wood, Christopher p.m.
Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home Cremation Services 5701 Odana Road (608) 274-1000 www.ryanfuneralservice.com MADISON Much as he lived, Chris passed away with great strength and dignity. Chris, age 42, died peacefully on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2005, at home surrounded by his loving family. Chris was born on Feb. 7, 1963 in Birmingham, England, to Peter and Hilary Wood.
He spent the first 10 years of his childhood in India before moving to Madison. Chris attended the UW-Stout and UW-Madison, and then worked in a variety of jobs prior to following his dream of being master woodworker. He was a self-employed carpenter, a career which allowed him to use his artistic ability and creative spirit every day. Chris had an enormous talent for creating one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture that will be treasured by their owners forever. One of Chris' great passions was 1970s Porsche automobiles, which he enjoyed rebuilding and racing.
In 1994, Chris married his best friend and soul mate, Sheree Anderson. Together they shared a lifetime of memories. Chris is also survived by his parents, Peter and Hilary Wood of Blanchardville; brother, Joe Wood; sisters, Sarita (Paul) Salm and Heidi Wood; mother- and fatherlaw, Duane and Harriet Anderson; brother- and sister-in-law, Stephen and Gio Anderson; nieces, Kira Salm and Alexandra Anderson; and nephew, Ian Anderson. He was preceded in death by his beloved cat, Jupiter. Although Chris' time with us was short, he lived life to the fullest.
He never gave up hope or lost his sense of humor during his illness. Chris' great hope was to see a cure for melanoma, the disease that he battled for four years. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Melanoma Research at UW-Cancer Center, Room K4-658, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792; or HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg. Special thanks to Dr.
Albertini and his staff at the UW Cancer Center and to HospiceCare. Friends may call from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2005, at JOYCE-RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 5701 Odana Road.
A memorial service will follow at 3.
