Gunderson Funeral Home

Phyllis A. Bowen, age 82, passed away on Friday, December 1, 2023. She was born on May 2, 1941, the daughter of the late Robert S. Lang and Dorothy J. Haupt. Phyllis is survived by her children, Phillip (Patty) Hollis, Brenda (Darren) Krueger and Cary D. Hollis; three grandchildren; seven great grandchildren, and her sisters, Judy Hebel, Cookie (Dan) Paske and Bette (Charles) Marshall. She was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Nick J. Link and a grandson, Zachary A. Link. Private services are being held. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Lodi Funeral & Cremation Care 157 S. Main St. (608) 592-3201

Mary Frances Sutter, age 94, of Mount Horeb, Wis., passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, at Whispering Pines. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. IGNATIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 109 S. Sixth St., Mount Horeb, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, with Father Robert Butz presiding. Burial will be held at St. Ignatius Calvary Cemetery in Mount Horeb. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Tuesday. A full obituary may be viewed and online condolences made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb Funeral & Cremation Care 500 N. Eighth St. Mount Horeb, Wis. (608) 437-5077

Betty Jo Bleakley, age 72, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, in Cottage Grove, Wis., surrounded by her family. Betty was born in Forest Park, Ill., to Theodore and Mary (Fisk) Hupac. She graduated from Proviso East High School in Maywood, Ill. Betty was a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, friend, and grandmother. She loved hosting dinners, holidays and many get togethers over the years showcasing her extraordinary cooking talents. Betty always had a spunky, sassy, and caring personality. She always took care of the ones around her and was a gracious host and light for everyone that met her. Betty was so selfless; her presence touched the lives of many, and she will be...

Lawrence "Larry" Landgraf, age 98, of Middleton, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, at Cardinal View Senior Living. He was born in Hayward, Wis., in 1925, the son of William and Signe (Lindholm) Landgraf. Lawrence graduated from Hayward High School in 1941. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during World War II from January 1943 to March of 1946. He married the love of his life, Dolores Wells in 1947 and they were married for 69 years. Lawrence graduated from the University of Wisconsin with Honors and a B.A. degree in Journalism in 1949, when he joined Madison Newspapers retail advertising department. He retired as Advertising Director in 1989. Lawrence was a past president of...

Cecelia A. Stluka, age 99, of McFarland, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, at Heritage Monona. She was born on Oct. 5, 1924, in Seneca Township, Crawford County, the daughter of Charles and Anna Stluka. Cecelia grew up on the family farm and attended a rural school. She graduated from Seneca High School and Vernon County Teachers College in Viroqua. She taught for several years prior to moving to Madison. She was employed at Research Products Corporation and remained with the firm for 33 1/2 years until her retirement in 1986. Cecelia's dream of owning a home became a reality when she moved to McFarland in 1973. A lover of nature, she enjoyed gardening and working in the yard. On more...

Carol Elizabeth Bevins Shier passed away peacefully, at the age of 93, on Nov. 3, 2023, with her children at her side. Carol is survived by her children, Lizabeth Shier (Richard) Herlich, Andy (Gina) Shier, Peter (Elizabeth Goble) Shier, and Laura (Rodney Maack) Shier; grandchildren, Cory Shier, Lacey Herlich (Ryan) Hall, Zachary Herlich, Jesse Maack, and Erik Maack; and great-grandchildren, Blake and Kayce Hall, and Michael and Jack Goble. Carol was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, John B. Shier; parents, Jesse (Al) and Cecilia Bevins; and sister, Barbara Bevins. Carol was the last remaining relative of her extended paternal and maternal families. Carol was born on Sept. 21,...

PIERRE, SD - Helene Z. Miller passed away on October 29, 2023, 11 days shy of her 98th birthday, in Fitchburg, WI. Helene, whose given name was Helena, was born on November 9, 1925, in Allentown, PA. She was the sixth and youngest child of Maciej (Mathew) and Wanda Jozefa (Josephine) Zaboj, immigrants from Poland. Helene's formative years were during the lean times of the Depression. In high school, Helene was involved with the chorus and the Commercial Club and enjoyed working on the side at her father's photography studio hand coloring black and white portraits. After graduating from Allentown High School in 1943, her life would forever change when she and her friends visited the...

PIERRE, S.D. - Helene Miller, age 97, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023. Services are being organized. A full obituary will appear at a later date. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Fitchburg Funeral & Cremation Care 2950 Chapel Valley Road (608) 442-5002

MADISON / MENOMONIE / MAZOMANIE - Dorothy "Irene" Seston, age 98, passed away on Monday, Oct. 24, 2023, at Badger Prairie Health Care Center, Verona, Wis. She was born on Dec. 22, 1924, in Oregon, Wis., the daughter of Claude and Dorothy (Manson) Lyons. Irene married her loving husband, Dean L. Seston, on June 10, 1944, in Oregon. Irene was a loving mother and wife while partnering to run the family farm early in her life. She was very active in community organizations, in particular Special Olympics. She enjoyed golfing, gardening, bowling and bird watching. Irene was preceded in death by her loving husband of 72 years, Dean; and her daughter, Laurie. Irene is survived by four children,...

Lynne Margaret Faulkner, age 70, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Madison, Wis. Lynne was born on Nov. 21, 1952, in North Platte, Neb., the daughter of Claude and Dorothy (Konen) Faulkner and the fifth of seven siblings. After graduating in 1971 from St. Patrick High School of North Platte, Neb., Lynne went on to study Art and Education from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, graduating in 1988. Lynne had a dedicated career as an art teacher for Lincoln Public Schools before retiring in 2017. Lynne, also lovingly called "Oma," was a vibrant and pivotal person to so, so many people. Lynne's caring intuition and attention to life's smallest (or largest) wonderments defined her...

Lynne Margaret Faulkner, age 70, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Madison, Wis. Lynne was born on Nov. 21, 1952, in North Platte, Neb., the daughter of Claude and Dorothy (Konen) Faulkner and the fifth of seven siblings. After graduating in 1971 from St. Patrick High School of North Platte, Neb., Lynne went on to study Art and Education from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, graduating in 1988. Lynne had a dedicated career as an art teacher for Lincoln Public Schools before retiring in 2017. Lynne, also lovingly called "Oma," was a vibrant and pivotal person to so, so many people. Lynne's caring intuition and attention to life's smallest (or largest) wonderments defined her...

MADISON / FALL RIVER -Susanna Floris Dorathea Fuerstenberg, age 81, of Fall River, Wis., died peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. She was born on Aug. 2, 1942, in Cuba City, Wis., the daughter of Clement and Leola (Hartung) Bussan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Michael Tarigopula at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, and also at the church from 12 noon until the time of the Mass on Saturday. A full obituary may be viewed and online condolences made at...

Susanna Florus Dorathea Fuerstenberg, age 81, of Fall River, Wis., died peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. She was born on Aug. 2, 1942, in Cuba City, Wis., the daughter of Clement and Leola (Hartung) Bussan. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by the Rev. Michael Tarigopula at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. Visitation was held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, and also at the church prior to the Mass on Saturday. A full obituary may be viewed and online condolences made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona...

Patricia L. "Pat" Ruegger, age 84, of Mount Horeb/Ojibwa/Dodgeville/Cornell, grabbed her knitting bag and ran through Heaven's gates on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. No one will be wandering around Heaven without a warm hat, mittens, or socks this fall and winter! Pat was born on June 7, 1939, the eighth of 10 children, to Jack and Mildred Ellis of Cornell, Wis. She learned to knit sitting on her grandfather's lap when she was 4 years old and spent her life making fabulous things to keep her loved ones warm. If her knitting didn't make you happy, she'd bake you something. At least twice a week! She managed the bakery at Dick's Supermarket in Dodgeville for many years and perfected her cake...

Patricia L. "Pat" Ruegger, age 84, of Mount Horeb/Ojibwa/Dodgeville/Cornell, grabbed her knitting bag and ran through Heaven's gates on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. No one will be wandering around Heaven without a warm hat, mittens, or socks this fall and winter! Pat was born on June 7, 1939, the eighth of 10 children, to Jack and Mildred Ellis of Cornell, Wis. She learned to knit sitting on her grandfather's lap when she was 4 years old and spent her life making fabulous things to keep her loved ones warm. If her knitting didn't make you happy, she'd bake you something. At least twice a week! She managed the bakery at Dick's Supermarket in Dodgeville for many years and perfected her cake...

HAYWARD, Wis. / STERLING, Ill. - Joyce L. Shaw, age 87, formerly of Hayward, Wis. and originally of Sterling, Ill., passed away on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, at Heartland Country Village in Black Earth, Wis. She was born on Sept. 19, 1936, in Sterling, Ill., the daughter of Howard and Helen (Fremoth) Reeser. Joyce grew up in Sterling, Ill., and graduated from Sterling High School in 1954. She married Dale Shaw on Oct. 7, 1956, in Sterling. Prior to retirement in Hayward, she drove school buses of various sizes, but particularly loved driving and assisting special needs children. She also enjoyed her years spent as a homemaker. In her free time, Joyce loved decorating her home, where she...

Joyce L. Shaw, age 87, formerly of Hayward, Wis., and originally of Sterling, Ill., passed away on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, at Heartland Country Village in Black Earth, Wis. She was born on Sept. 19, 1936, in Sterling, Ill., the daughter of Howard and Helen (Fremoth) Reeser. Joyce grew up in Sterling, Ill., and graduated from Sterling High School in 1954. She married Dale Shaw on Oct. 7, 1956, in Sterling. Prior to retirement in Hayward, she drove school buses of various sizes, but particularly loved driving and assisting special needs children. She also enjoyed her years spent as a homemaker. In her free time, Joyce loved decorating her home, where she enjoyed her collection of antiques,...

Richard Lee "Dick" Ireland, age 80, of Deerfield, Wis., passed away on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, at Oak Park Place. He was born on June 26, 1943, in Madison, Wis., the son of Walter and Vivian (Legreid) Ireland. Dick graduated from Deerfield High School in 1961. He was united in marriage to Gaylene on July 17, 1965, in rural Cottage Grove. Dick graduated from Madison Area Technical College with a degree in automotive technology in 1964. Dick was drafted to the United States Army in January of 1965 where he was awarded for his skills in sharpshooter (rifle), and served as a cook. Dick was a dedicated volunteer firefighter for 28 years in Deerfield from 1962 - 1990. He was the proud owner...

On Sept. 22, 2023, Millie moved on to her last adventure, to eternal life where she will be reunited with family and friends, and most importantly the love of her life, Rollie. After 57 years together, and 17 without him, they are together again and can resume their nightly cribbage games, always keeping score and always with a toddy in hand ... and always with the phone unplugged so they won't be disturbed. Millie was the oldest child of Gladys and Lawrence Kaufman and was born in Fond du Lac, Wis., in 1927. The family moved to Appleton when she was a small child. In high school she met Rollie Mader, and together they created a family of four. Big changes came with a move to Texas in...

Gertrude Therese "Tess" Danowski, age 91, of Cottage Grove, passed away on Friday, Sept 15, 2023, at Cedarhurst of Madison. She was born into a large and loving family on Dec. 25, 1931, in Three Lakes, Wis, the daughter of Francis and Gertrude (Petersen) McLellan. Tess was a graduate of Three Lakes High School. She married Harry "Doc" Danowski on Oct. 22, 1955. Together they owned and operated Doc's Mobil Station until they sold the business in 1976. Prior to her retirement in 1996, Tess worked as a library aide for over 20 years where she shared her passion for reading with the many students to whom she was universally known and hailed as "Mrs. D." She read everything, newspapers,...

Thomas John Wittmayer, age 84, was born to Julius and Hulda (Neuharth) Wittmayer on Feb. 10, 1939, in Eureka, S.D. He grew up on the family farm, attending Country School Odessa 1 and 4. Tom graduated in 1956 from Eureka High School and continued his education at South Dakota State University, graduating in 1960. After graduation he did graduate work at the University of South Dakota and the University of Minnesota. Tom then served in the U.S. Army, doing basic training at Camp Collins in Colorado Springs, Colo. His remaining time was spent at Fort Detrick in Frederick, Md., at the Biological Center for Chemical and Warfare Research. After serving his country, he was employed at Swift...