Olsen-Gibson Funeral Home

Dr. Edward F. Dettmers, 84 of Johnson Creek, passed away on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at UW-Hospital in Madison. Ed "Doc" Dettmers was born on February 10, 1940, in Watertown, WI, the son of George and Elsie (Dobratz) Dettmers of Helenville. He graduated from Jefferson High in 1957, UW-Whitewater (B.S. Education), U. of Arkansas (M.A. Mathematics), and U. of Minnesota (D.V.M) and served in the Air Force/Air Force Reserve. Ed taught mathematics in Wausau and St. Paul, but Doc's passion was as a veterinarian at the Jefferson Veterinary Clinic for 33 years. While dairy herds were his focus, Doc enjoyed helping FFA kids and new farmers, caring for horses, treating elk herds and serving...

Mildred R. "Millie" Freson, 90 of Jefferson, passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at Alden Estates. Millie was born on July 26, 1934, in North Prairie, the daughter of Fredrick and Ruth (Borck) Vergenz. She graduated from Jefferson High School in 1953 and married Gerald Freson on July 3, 1954. The couple had 4 children and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this past July. She was employed at Schweiger Industries in Jefferson from 1963 - 1993. She began as a sewer and was promptly promoted to sewing instructor, retiring after 30 years. Millie enjoyed working with her hands, not only on the job, but at home also, making many pillows, quilts, doll clothes and other...

Roger G. Ehrke, Sr., 85 of Jefferson, passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at his home. Roger was born on March 9, 1939, in Watertown, WI, the son of Gordon and Atlae (Fleck) Ehrke. He graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 1957 and married Rhona Hueber in 1964. The couple had 4 children, later separated but remained close. Roger was employed at Friskies in Jefferson for 30 years, serving as a Union Stuard for most of them, retiring in 1999. Roger was heavily involved in farming in his youth, enjoyed woodworking, and remodeling. His top priority was always his children. He was at every family event, especially his grandchildren's, and was quick to give good guidance and...

Pamela E. Mehring, 71, of Okauchee, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at Aurora Medical Center - Summit. Pam was born on August 22, 1953, in Milwaukee, WI, to Edwin and Audrey (Ressel) Wolff. She graduated from John Marshall High School in 1971 and earned her bachelor's degree in education from Cardinal Stritch University in 1977. On October 9, 1976, she married the love of her life, Michael Mehring. Together, they settled in Lake Country, where they built their first home and raised their two sons, Michael Jr. and Matthew. Traveling was one of Pam's greatest joys, and she cherished exploring the world, especially with her family. Among her most treasured memories...

Robert R. "Raughn" Ferrell, 80 of Jefferson, formerly of Fort Atkinson, passed away on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at his home. Raughn was born on February 28, 1944, in Springfield, OH, the son of James and Maude (Greer) Ferrell. He was a 1963 graduate of Fort Atkinson High School and on April 10, 1965, he married Sharon Weckler at Immanual United Methodist Church in Jefferson. The couple welcomed their daughter, Erika, two years later. Raughn was employed at the Chrysler Plant in Belvidere, IL, in 1965 and retiring in 2001 as a Process Team Member/Group Leader. Following retirement, Raughn turned his love of cars into managerial positions at the Superwash in Jefferson, Fort and...

Barbara A. Punzel, 86 of Jefferson, passed away on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at Alden Estates of Jefferson. Barb was born on September 3, 1938, in Watertown, WI, the daughter of Herbert and Mabel (Zimmermann) Boettcher. She grew up on her family farm and graduated from Johnson Creek High School in 1956. Barb met Emil Punzel over a cocktail at the River Crest Bar in Jefferson, and the couple were married on June 23, 1962, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church in Jefferson. They had 3 children and celebrated 62 years of marriage this past June. Barb worked at number of places over the years, but loved working at Larsen Canning, retiring in 2006, when the plant closed. She was a talented...

Dean C. Laesch, 78 of Fort Worth, TX (formerly of Jefferson), passed away on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, in Fort Worth. Dean was born on November 5, 1946, at Fort Atkinson Hospital, the son of Willard and Germaine (Weissmann) Laesch. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1966 and later DeVry Institute of Technology. He married Susan Seidenburg in Jefferson in 1972. Dean was a devoted husband, and couple enjoyed 50 years of marriage until her death in 2022. In 1968, Dean moved to Fort Worth to work for General Dynamics. He later became vice president of Mason Awning Co. In his later years, he worked as a maintenance and handy man at Holy Name Catholic Church in Fort Worth and was...

Joann H. Gleiter, 89 of Jefferson, passed away on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at Alden Estates of Jefferson. Joann was born on August 2, 1935, in Madison, WI, the daughter of William and Harriet (Seavert) Altreuter. She graduated from Jefferson High School in 1953 and married Melvin Gleiter on June 17, 1956, at St. Peter's Ev. Lutheran Church in Helenville. She is survived by: her children Keith (Linda Barta) Gleiter of Johnson Creek and Lisa (Bryan) Sokolik of Whitewater; and 3 nephews. Joann is preceded in death by her parents, husband in 2010, and her sister Anita Christian. A visitation will be held from 4:00PM - 6:00PM on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at the Olsen-Gibson Funeral...

John C. Kylmanen, 75 of Jefferson, WI, passed away on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at his home. John was born on March 26, 1949, in Columbus, WI, the first son of Carl and Gladys (Hoseth) Kylmanen. John graduated from Jefferson High School in 1967 and UW-Stout in 1971, with a degree in Industrial Engineering. On March 8, 1970, John married Judy Klossner at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jefferson, and the couple had 2 children. John's employment history includes Ladish Malt, Johnson Controls, the State of Wisconsin, where he retired in the summer of 2016. John was an avid tennis player and golfer and enjoyed following both sports on TV. Card playing was always a good time,...

Richard J. Sindermann, 68, of Jefferson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center in Milwaukee due to heart failure. Richard was born on June 19, 1956, in Fort Atkinson, WI, to Franz and Adelgunde (Perschke) Sindermann. He attended St. John's Lutheran School, graduated from Jefferson High School in 1974, earned a bachelor's degree in communications from UW-Whitewater, and later completed a master's in accounting from UW-Madison. Richard was a lifelong learner, continually seeking new knowledge and personal growth. In 1982, Richard moved to West Hollywood, CA, where he lived until 2001. While there, he met Tim Butler, his partner and the love...

Diana G. Singsime (Willer), age 59, of Jefferson, passed away Wednesday morning, July 17, 2024, at Rainbow Hospice Care Inpatient Center. Diana was born on February 2, 1965, in Watertown to Linda and James Willer. Diana graduated from Jefferson High School in 1983 and Madison Area Technical College in 1985 (Associate of Applied Arts Degree). She enjoyed her time working at East Elementary and the School District of Jefferson. Diana loved attending her kids' activities, animals (especially her cat Russ), arts and crafts, flowers and gardening, music, watching TV, reading, baking, and spending time with her children and loved ones. Diana will be greatly missed by her family and friends. ...

Obituary and service information will be available soon. www.olsen-gibson.com

Marilyn Mae Krause, 88, of Jefferson joined her Savior in Heaven on July 8, 2024, in the care of her family and Rainbow Hospice. She was born May 22, 1936, in Beloit, the daughter of John Gottlieb (d. 1965) and Ruth Bertha Herman (d. 1983) Reaf. Baptized on July 1st, 1936. She had one sister, Marjorie Reaf (d. 2016). Marilyn graduated from Bethany Lutheran High School in Mankato, MN and went on to attend Rockford Beauty Academy. She worked as a cosmetologist at Le Tress Hairdressers, and then purchased the Fort Atkinson location in 1976 where she lovingly used the gifts God had given her to bring beauty to the lives of others. On June 29, 1980, she joined hands in marriage with Kenneth...

Donald C. Riess, 66 of Fort Atkinson, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, June 16, 2024. Don was born on September 22, 1957, in Fort Atkinson, WI, the son of Lynn and Orabelle (Draves) Riess. The family moved to Watertown soon after Don's birth and then to Jefferson when he was 16. Don graduated from Jefferson High School in 1975. After high school, he worked at Schwieger Industries, Terry's Excavating and was employed by the City of Fort Atkinson in the Department of Public Works for 22 years, retiring in 2020. On February 6, 1996, he married Christine Ellis in Las Vegas, and the couple have enjoyed the last 28 years of marriage. Don and Chris enjoyed camping together and...

Marcia Ellen (Monogue) Bare passed away on Monday, June 10, 2024, with all of her children at her side. She was born on October 5, 1938, to Bob and Margaret (Kemmeter) Monogue. Marcia attended St. John the Baptist Grade School, as did her mother, all of her siblings, and all of her children, and Jefferson High School. She was the fourth of five children, and the first girl. On October 6, 1956, she married Andrew William Bare of Johnson Creek, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Theirs was one of the first wedding receptions held in the new school gymnasium. Andy and Marcia were married for 49 years until his passing in June of 2006. Marcia passed away at almost the exact same...

Please look for obituary and service information in the coming days. www.olsen-gibson.com

Lois M. Bente, 82 of Jeferson, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 10, 2024, at Jefferson Memory Care. She was born on November 24, 1941, in Watertown, WI, the daughter of Clarence and Hilda (Schultz) Schadt. She graduated from Watertown High School in 1959 and furthered her education at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. On September 15, 1962, Lois married Victor "Vic" Bente at St. Luke's Ev. Lutheran Church in Watertown. The couple had 4 children and enjoyed many activities together. Lois was a long-time and very active member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Rome. She showed Christ's love for her through her acts of service. She served as church secretary at St. Luke's - Rome...

Elvessa Marie "Ellie" King passed away at Alden Estates of Jefferson, on April 5, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. The daughter of Roy and Leota Crozier, Ellie was born on August 27,1929 in Victoria, IL. She graduated from high school in Elmwood, IL in 1947 and attended and graduated from cosmetology school in Peoria,IL in 1948. Ellie married Dorrance King March 4, 1951, in Elmwood, IL. Following their marriage, they farmed in Princeville, IL and West Jersy, IL before moving to a farm in Helenville, WI. Following Dorrance's passing in 1991, Ellie moved to Jefferson, WI. Ellie worked for the Jefferson School District as a classroom and special education aide for 26 years. She also...

Jason M. Madison, 48 of Watertown, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, March 22, 2024. Jason was born on August 19, 1975, in Fort Atkinson, WI, the son of Raymond and Kim (Schetter) Madison. He attended Jefferson High School and later earned a GED. He was employed as a Truck Driver for many years, working for Lorman's in Fort Atkinson, Jacobson Trucking in Lake Mills, and most recently Clean Harbor Environmental in Fort Atkinson. Jason could fix anything, and his talents and interests centered around the Hobby. He loved anything that had to do with an engine or wheels. He especially loved semi's and trains, both real and model. And attending tractor and steam shows were...

Mary C. Allen, 73 of Lake Mills, passed away on Monday, March 18, 2024, at the Rainbow Inpatient Center of Johnson Creek. She was born on February 20, 1951, at Rogers Hospital in Oconomowoc, WI, the youngest of Thaddeus and Margaret Allen's 12 children. She graduated from Oconomowoc High School in 1969 and married soon after. Mary had 3 daughters and worked at Shopko in Watertown for over 30 years, holding many different positions, retiring as a pharmacy tech in 2017. She loved being outside surrounded by nature. Whether admiring birds in flight, working in her garden, or planting trees Mary appreciated the earth's beauty deeply. Other interests and talents included reading, especially...

DonAllan C. Starke, 89 of Nashotah, passed away on Friday, March 8, 2024, at his home. DonAllan was born on July 10, 1934, in Milwaukee, WI. He attended high school in Oconomowoc and began his working career soon after. On December 28, 1968, he married Sylvia Hall in Lake Mills, WI. The couple enjoyed life on Okauchee Lake together for 55 years. Activities they enjoyed include boating, swimming, and fishing. Don loved to spend time outdoors - either hunting, being near the water, or attending car shows with his friends. He was a notably positive man, never met a person he didn't like, and made sure he treated people with kindness and respect, even when it was undeserving. A goodman,...