Gunderson Funeral Home

Mary Andrea Freund, age 81, of McFarland, passed away on Monday, May 23, 2022. She was born on June 3, 1940, in Edgerton, the daughter of Russell and Myrtle (Hanson) Gunnelson. Mary attended Cambridge High School and graduated from UW-Whitewater in 3.5 years. She married Robert Freund at Rockdale Lutheran Church on July 21, 1962. Mary proudly worked as a first-grade teacher for McFarland Elementary School for over 25 years. She was a member of the Red Hat Ladies and was active at McFarland Lutheran Church for nearly 50 years. Mary was a very creative person who always loved trying new crafts, and she found great joy in sewing, quilting, knitting, painting, pottery and scrapbooking. She...

Leila M. Cristan, age 88, of Poynette, passed away on Sunday, May 22, 2022, at Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital. She was born on March 24, 1934, the daughter of Eric and Evelyn (Dereszynski) Gruetzmacher. Leila graduated from Menomonee Falls High School. Leila worked as a Bartender and Cook for many years at various local area bars and restaurants. Her friendly and talkative ways made you feel immediately welcomed. Leila enjoyed gardening, cooking, and having Packer parties for family and friends. Leila is survived by two daughters, Stephanie "Penny" Molitor and Pamela (Dennis) Cunningham; three sons, Peter Cristan, Perry (Chris) Cristan, and Parker Cristan; eight grandchildren, Steve...

John P. Connell died at Pine Villa Memory Care Center in Sauk City with his sons, Sean and Kerry, by his side on Monday, May 16, 2022. John was born on Nov. 10, 1934, in Washington D.C. His family moved to Madison while John was still a young boy where he attended Lowell and St. Bernard's grade schools and graduated from Edgewood High School. John loved playing sports. He played basketball, baseball, and football all through school, and played both guard and linebacker on the Edgewood varsity team. During the Korean War John served aboard the U.S.S. Neosho. John loved being in the U.S. Navy and being at sea. He said that the Navy let him see the world. Following his service John returned to...

Thomas Walter Dorman, age 70, passed away on Sunday, May 15, 2022, of natural causes brought on by his COPD and CHF. Tom died doing what he loved - taking pictures. He was out photographing the total lunar eclipse when his heart stopped. Tom was born on Aug. 12, 1951, in Madison, the son of Roy and Jeanette (Ripp) Dorman. He graduated from Waunakee High School in 1969 and received his journalism degree from UW-Madison in 1974. On Aug. 17, 1974, Tom married his high school sweetheart, Karen Fredrickson. During Tom's journalism career, he was a newspaper reporter, sportswriter, photographer, and radio disc jockey. In his early 40s, he enrolled at Southwest Wisconsin Technical School and...

MADISON, Wis. - David L. Diefenthaler, age 71, of Madison, passed away on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at St. Mary's Hospital. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 23, 2022, with Father Randy Timmerman presiding. Family and friends who wish to view services via LIVE STREAM may visit David's obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com and click on the Live Webcast link at 11 a.m. on Monday. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, Wis., from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 22, 2022, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Monday....

William "Bill" Wayde Hughey, age 90, Lodi, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Saturday, May 14, 2022. He was born on March 11, 1932, to Wayde and Edith (Helmke) Hughey. Bill grew up in the Bristol, WI, area, and graduated from Sun Prairie High School in 1950. He was drafted to the United States Marine Corps and served in the Korean War. While in Korea, Bill exchanged letters with Janet Grace McFarlane of Keyser. Immediately upon his return from Korea in spring 1953, he took Janet on a date, proposed in a corn field a few short months later, and married her on December 12, 1953. Their love made them inseparable for more than 68 years. In their early years, they...

Beverly M. Meyer, age 70, of Poynette, passed away on Friday, May 13, 2022. She was born on Feb. 17, 1952, in Poynette, the daughter of Victor and Marie (LeClerc) Gorman. Beverly attended Poynette High School. On Jan. 30, 1988, she married the love of her life, Alan Meyer in Dekorra. Beverly had a variety of interests and enjoyed reading but loved most to spend time with her children. Beverly is survived by her husband, Alan; three daughters, Lori Conkle, Tracy Wheeler and Ashley (Corey) Charmley; son, Ross (Kelsey) Meyer; six grandchildren, Pylar Wheeler, Forrest Winniewicz, Jordon Wheeler, Desiray Charmley, Owen Charmley and Addison Meyer; sister, Debbie (Merle) Nofsinger; brother, Paul...

There is another angel in Heaven today, Shirley Gehling, who passed away on Sunday, May 8, 2022. She was born on Jan. 10, 1936, to the late Alice and Richard Stelter. Shirley was married to Vernon Gehling in 1957. He preceded her in death in July of 2013. Shirley was a mother of three and leaves behind Cory Gehling, Melinda (Rich) De'lia and Kimberly (Robert) Donnelly; grandmother to 10 grandchildren, Sophia and Samantha Gehling, Melissa (Shawn) Keeler, Robin (Joe) Aguis, Patrick and Kayleigh Donnelly, Nick, Joey and Daniel De'lia, and Chandra (Lee) Nelson; and great-grandmother to nine great-grandchildren. We are all going to deeply miss her. She lived a beautiful life and fought a...

Marcel Paul Kjorlie, age 87, of Lodi, passed away on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at his home in Lodi. He was born on May 13, 1934, in Prairie du Sac, the son of Tharsilla and Melvin Kjorlie Sr. Raised on a local farm, Marcel learned farming from his parents. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army in Korea in 1956 to 1959. Soon after his return, he met and married Sally Hilgendorf on October 28, 1961, at St. Michael's Catholic Church. They started their own farm in Lodi in 1962 and raised their five children together while working for Oscar Mayer. Marcel and Sally enjoyed 60 years of love and companionship together. When Marcel wasn't at home with his family, he would likely be out...

Holiday A. "Holly" Maher, age 75, of Cross Plains, passed away on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at Agrace HospiceCare. She was born on Dec. 14, 1946, in Davenport, Iowa, the daughter of Robert and Jean (Hiegel) Fitzsimmons. Holly graduated from Assumption High School. She married her high school sweetheart, Patrick Maher, on Sept. 9, 1967. Holly always put her family first, and encouraged her children to follow their dreams. She was a wonderful mother and wife who enjoyed raising her family and caring for the home. She was especially known as a great baker and gardener, and also loved feeding and watching birds in her yard. She loved to decorate for the holidays and she created many fun and...

Robert Lee Bertling, age 90, of Madison, passed away on Sunday, April 24, 2022, at Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge. He was born on Jan. 23, 1932, in Kenosha, Wis., the son of Orville and Ruth (Zimdars) Bertling. Robert graduated from Kenosha Bradford High School in 1949 and was united in marriage to Jean Ranous in 1953. He served in Korea with the U.S. Army from 1952-1954. He began employment with the Wisconsin Telephone Co. in Kenosha in 1952 and moved to Watertown, Wis. in 1965, retiring to Legend Lake in the Shawano, Wis. area after a 37-year career. Robert was an alderman in both Kenosha and Watertown, active in his church, a member of the Lions Club and a Mason. Robert is survived by...

Robert Dale Sollinger, age 86, of Madison, passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday, April 23, 2022. He was born on April 6, 1936, in Aurora, Ill., the son of Harry and Catherine (Olson) Sollinger. Robert graduated from Aurora East High School in 1954. Soon after, he enlisted in the U.S. Army to train military service dogs. After being stationed in Germany, he returned to the states to attend college and then married Irene (Tarnowski) Sollinger on June 17, 1961. Together they managed and owned independent student housing on the University of Illinois campus. Robert worked as a self-employed general contractor and was employed at the University of Illinois, where he later...

Richard "Dick" Allan Meyer, age 92, died peacefully on April 18, 2022. Dick was born on June 23, 1929, to Reual and Helen Meyer of Elk Mound, Wis. He graduated from Elk Mound High School in 1948 and went on to attend the Farm Short Course in Madison, Wis. In 1950 he married the love of his life, Patricia Meyer. They were happily married for 60 years. Dick was drafted into the Army in 1951. After graduating Meat and Dairy Hygiene school in Chicago, he served as a meat inspector at Oscar Meyer until his Honorable Discharge in 1953. Furthering his education, he graduated from UW Madison in 1957 with a BS degree in Meat and Animal Science. Dick then accepted a supervisor position with Oscar...

Eleanor Doris Johnson, age 98, of Waunakee, passed away on Thursday, April 14, 2022, at Agrace HospiceCare. She was born on Dec. 6, 1923, in Waunakee, the daughter of Otto and Pauline (Reppenhagen) Wilke. Eleanor grew up in Waunakee and graduated from Waunakee High School. Eleanor was united in marriage to Kenneth Jerome Johnson on Aug. 11, 1943. She and Kenneth lived and farmed in the Town of Dane. Eleanor was employed at Gambles in Lodi, American Breeders Service in DeForest, and Land's End. She also served as the clerk for the Town of Dane and as treasurer of First Lutheran Church in Lodi. Eleanor was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and...

Eleanor Doris Johnson, age 98, of Waunakee, passed away on Thursday, April 14, 2022, at Agrace HospiceCare. She was born on Dec. 6, 1923, in Waunakee, the daughter of Otto and Pauline (Reppenhagen) Wilke. Eleanor grew up in Waunakee and graduated from Waunakee High School. Eleanor was united in marriage to Kenneth Jerome Johnson on Aug. 11, 1943. She and Kenneth lived and farmed in the Town of Dane. Eleanor was employed at Gambles in Lodi, American Breeders Service in DeForest, and Land's End. She also served as the clerk for the Town of Dane and as treasurer of First Lutheran Church in Lodi. Eleanor was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and...

Gerald "Jerry" Kavanagh, Jr., 89, of Hayward, Wis., most recently of Cottage Grove, passed away on April 13, 2022, in the hospice unit of the VA Hospital in Madison, Wis. He was born on June 15, 1932, the son of Gerald, Sr. and Lulu (Sherer) Kavanagh. After graduating from Hayward High School and completing his service in the U.S. Army, Jerry married Mary Lou Siebenaler on Feb. 23, 1957, and started his family in Hayward. Jerry and Mary Lou owned and operated the Rocking Horse Ranch Day Care Center for 20 years and he worked at Alexander McGill in Hayward for many years. Jerry enjoyed any time spent in the woods or outdoors: hunting, fishing, cutting firewood, and working with his sons...

Conway James Schmidt, age 90, passed away on Friday, April 8, 2022, at Columbia Health Care Center. Conway was born on February 2, 1932, on the family farm in Arlington to Adolph and Julia (Huber) Schmidt. He graduated from Poynette High School in 1950. He especially enjoyed playing football and baseball during high school and was a loyal fan of the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, and Milwaukee Brewers. Connie met Mary Osmundsen of DeForest at a local dance and they were married on April 24, 1954, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church just outside of Arlington. Mary and Connie were dedicated partners in farming for 58 years. Connie raised dairy cows, beef cattle, and hogs, and grew...

Dr. Deb Hullett, age 67, of Oregon, passed away on Saturday, April 2, 2022. She was born on April 25, 1954, in St. Paul, Minn., the daughter of Richard and Enez (Nelson) Hullett. Deb graduated from Northfield High School in Minnesota in 1972 and earned her Ph.D. from UW-Madison. She worked as a Distinguished Scientist at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Surgery for over 30 years. Her renowned work resulted in numerous awards, over 130 publications and multiple patents in the area of transplant immunology and diabetes research. Deb loved music and books, was a patient teacher, and was known for her intellect and independence. She enjoyed...

William "Bill" Otto Benson, age 68, of Dane, passed away unexpectedly but found peace at UW Madison Hospital on April 1, 2022. Bill was born on April 30, 1953, to Harry Burton Benson and Irene (Langman) Benson and graduated from Lodi High School in 1971. Bill was raised on the family farm along with his 10 siblings. He eventually acquired the farm, and it is where he and his former wife raised their two daughters. The farm is what defined him, gave him purpose, and brought him his greatest joys. He was proud to carry the title "farmer" and to be a friend to those who needed him. He enjoyed reading the daily paper from beginning to end and sharing his findings. He had a great love for...

On Friday, April 1, 2022, Ruth Marie Hackbarth, age 94, passed away peacefully at her home in Madison, Wis. She was born on Nov. 5, 1927, in Janesville, the daughter of Clarence and Caroline (Trostem) Satrang. She was united in marriage to Dean Hackbarth on June 26, 1948. Ruth was a very loving and supportive wife, mother and grandmother. She will be fondly remembered for her kindness, quick wit, gentle humor and the many wonderful memories she shared with her family and friends. Ruth is survived by her daughter, Vickie Ann (Carl Anderson) Hackbarth; sons, Gary Hackbarth and Scott (Linda) Hackbarth; and five grandchildren, Jenna Hackbarth, Joshua Hackbarth, Jarid Hackbarth, Tyler...

Barbara Lucille Espeseth (Kowalski), 79, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, March 31, 2022, at her home. She was born on Oct. 17, 1942, to parents, Marcella and Ervin, in Milwaukee, and was raised in Wauwatosa. Barb married her late husband, Robert, on June 5, 1965, in Houston, Texas. The two shared over 55 beautiful years of marriage together. She loved to read, spend time each morning with her Lord and Savior, cooked for holiday gatherings and baked wonderful pies for friends and family. The family was particularly fond of her Lemon Ice Box pie. Barb was a teacher of many things. She was filled with joy most when gardening, traveling, spending time with her children and...