Portage Daily Register

Courtney M. Foster, 61, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 26, 2022, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born October 10, 1961, in Cleveland, OH. When she was seven years old she was adopted by Bobbie and Ernestine (Zach) Dickson. Courtney lived in Janesville for many years where she would work for Accudyne, TNT, and Kwik Trip. She moved up north where she worked for Rayovac before moving back to Janesville where she worked for Dollar General. She married Randy Sanwick in 1982, they later divorced. She met Randy Foster and spent many years together before marrying on October 31, 2018. She was Randy's queen. Courtney loved to camp, gamble, and every chance she got she...

Passed away peacefully on December 20, 2022 at the age of 84 at Clearview Memory Care in Juneau after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Dree Ann was born on October 10, 1938 to Harold and Regina (Gavinski) Scherbert in Baraboo, WI. She graduated from Wisconsin Dells High School in 1958. In 1973, Dree Ann and her family moved to Oconomowoc. Dree Ann was preceded in death by her grandparents Martin (Marie) Gavinski, her mother Mrs. Regina Scherbert, her father Harold (Eunice) Scherbert, her stepdaughters, Toni Roxbury, Cheryl Arnold, and her granddaughter Erin Lee Loppnow. She is survived by her husband, Robert Roxbury; her children Shelly (Keith) Loppnow, Michael Williams (Kelly...

Carolyn Monthey, age 76, of Middleton, Wisconsin, passed away on October 23rd, 2022. Carolyn was born to parents Sidney and Mildred (Hundt) Seidner, on July 18th, 1946, in Portage, Wisconsin. 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...

Our world lost a beautiful smile when Darla L. Sanders died unexpectedly of natural causes on Saturday October 22, 2022. Darla was born January 19, 1943 in Canada. She was the only child of Byron and Ivy (Dove) Murray. Her parents relocated many times while she was growing up, and she would tell us the story of how she attended 5 high schools before the family finally settled in Orange County, California and she graduated from Orange High School. She aspired to be a flight attendant, however all that changed when she met and fell in love with a young sailor, David Russell, while visiting in Santa Barbara, CA. Darla and David married on June 9, 1962, and were married for 25 years. They...

Helen Porter reached her destination, Heaven, on October 3 rd. Born Helen Margaret Batty on August 8, 1928, in Portage, Wisconsin. Her high school years were steeped in music playing french horn in band and piano in the swing band. She caught the eye of Bill Porter at a dance in Madison and he became the love of her life. They married, had 3 children, Marjorie, Jeff, and Randy, and settled into life on a dairy farm which threw a few curves at this city girl. Work hard and play hard became her motto. Farm work stress was relieved by the occasional playful bucket of water on Bill's head from the rooftop by the back door of the house. She encouraged her children to pursue their interests and...

DeForest - Ella Kurtz Wakerhauser, age 97, passed away in her Savior's arms on September 9, 2022, at St. Mary's Hospital. Ella will be remembered as the yodeling, skydiving mom and grandma. She fiercely loved her Lord and desired all of her family to draw close to the Lord. She was known for her love of country music. She could be heard yodeling along with playing musical instruments by ear, never knowing how to read a note. She worked as a CNA for 19 years and desired to serve those whom she loved and those in need. In her early years, she was an avid gardener alongside Don. She will be remembered for her sharp mind and her desire to embrace life and love fiercely. In her end years, she...

David W. Thom, age 63, passed away peacefully at his farm on Saturday, September 3rd, surrounded by family, after a short battle with cancer. David was born on January 2nd, 1959 to Frank and Judy Thom on Toul Rosieres Air Force Base in Moselle, France. David grew up in California with his parents and 3 siblings, Mona, Frank and Steve. David graduated from San Gorgonio High School in 1976. He was married to Laura on March 26, 1983. The couple had 3 amazing children, Ginger, Dave and Kimmy. Although their marriage ended in divorce in 2012, the couple remained friends and shared in the lives of their children and grandchildren. David loved sports and found his passion in umpiring. He...

Lawrence Gene Holtan, son of Frances (Peplinski) and Henry Holtan born March 31, 1949, passed away on August 29, 2022.Larry graduated from Pardeeville High School in 1967 and MATC- Applied Science in 1969. After MATC he was offered a job at Western Electric in North Carolina as a lead writer in production in Data Design. Though he was not in the service he wrote important information on the Safeguard Anti-Ballistic Missile Defense Systems in North Dakota. He moved his small family back to Wisconsin to be closer to family in 1973. Larry took various other jobs in the area and built his home and family. He worked at CESA 10, Oconomowoc Canning Company in Sun Prairie, and Soil Test in...

Charles "Chuck" Kester, age 85, passed away on August 27, 2022, at the UW Hospital, Madison. He was born on October 24, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois to parents Frank and Elizabeth (Stanbra) Kester. He married Lucille Schumann in 1961. To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com. Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services Windsor/DeForest Chapel 6924 Lake Road 608-846-4250

Melody A. Cimaroli, age 75, of Portage, Wisconsin passed away Thursday, August 4, 2022. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Melody was born May 22, 1947, in Oxford, Wisconsin to Willis and Leona (Klawitter) Ingraham. She married Ron A. Cimaroli on June 29, 1968, in Portage. Melody owned & operated Cimarolis Supper Club, Lord Chumleys Pub, and North Side Liquidators. She enjoyed doing puzzles, fishing, taking walks, and watching movies. Melody was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and several siblings. Survivors include her children: Jodi Jepson, Jamie Cimaroli, and Amy Cimaroli; 8 grandchildren & 10 great-grandchildren. www.roseberrys.com for online...

Phil Gibbs, age 72, passed away peacefully with family by his side on July 29, 2022. He was born on March 19, 1950 in Portage, WI to Horace and Evelyn Gibbs. He graduated from Portage High School in 1968 and shortly after met his wife, Kathy, with whom he would spend 50 wonderful years together. Phil got his BS degree from UW-Stevens Point and spent his career in manufacturing management. For years he was an avid hunter and fisherman, but his true passion was spending time enjoying his family and sharing many laughs together. Phil was a character with a great sense of humor and an ability to chat with anyone. He has touched the hearts and lives of so many and will be dearly missed....

Jeremy J. Beahm, age 47, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at the UW Hospital with his wife by his side. He was born in Portage on March 31, 1975, the son of Winston and Sue Beahm. Jeremy graduated from Portage High School in 1994. He worked for Thorstad Chevrolet for 18 years, then at Mendota Mental Health for 5 years until his medical retirement. On August 23, 2008 Jeremy married Naomi Minter. Together they enjoyed NASCAR, cheering for the Packers, Badgers and Brewers, classic cars and attending car shows. Jeremy is survived by his wife, whom he spent the last 18 years with, Naomi; parents, Winston and Sue; brother, Steve Beahm; sister, Lisa (James) McClaughry;...

Byron Joseph Kessenich, age 88, passed away at his home after a short illness on May 10, 2022, with family by his side. He was born, the second of four children, to parents Herman and Rose (Watzke) Kessenich on February 12, 1934, on the family farm on Easy Street in Westport Township, WI. Byron was baptized at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Waunakee. He attended Ella Wheller Wilcox grade school before his parents bought a farm, moving the family to DeForest where he graduated from high school in 1952. On July 23, 1959 Byron was united in marriage with Janet Esther Mabis at Sacred Hearts Church in Sun Prairie. Byron was a lifelong farmer, farming at one time or another with his...

Gualberto B. Mejia, 93, of Westport, Wisconsin passed away on April 26th 2022 of natural causes at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison. Gualberto ("Bert" or "Doc") was born July 12, 1928 in Infanta Quezon Philippines to Colonel Fabian Mejia and Rita Bisquera Mejia. Bert was one of six children with three older siblings, Betty, Fabian Jr., and Pafnucio, and two younger siblings Loring and Juanito. He studied pre-med at University Santo Thomas (UST) and ultimately graduated Cum Laude from UST Medical School, Manila in 1956. He completed his internship at United States Clark Air Force base and moved to the United States to fulfill his medical residency at Carney Hospital in Boston...

Stewart "Buck" Atkinson, age 71, passed away on Monday, April 25, 2022, peacefully at home with his family at his side, after a hell of a fight with cancer. He was born on August 11, 1950, in Portage, son to Wallace C. and G. Catherine (Meekma) Atkinson. Buck was united in marriage to Patty Schulz on April 20, 1974, in Oregon. Together they were married 48 years, and raised two children, Mike, and Michelle. Buck graduated from Oregon High School in 1968 and worked for the U. S. Post Office for 35 years. He enjoyed tinkering around with small engines and visiting Wayne's Automotive. He loved spending time in Oxford with his family, and he will be remembered for his love of life. Buck was the...

Susan Thome Kluge, age 55, of Endeavor passed away peacefully at UW Hospital with her husband Kevin by her side. Suzy was born on November 3, 1966, in Portage, Wis. the daughter of to Carrol Thome and Ruth Luke Martinez. She married Kevin Kluge on July 9, 1988, together they had two boys Joshua & Walter. She worked at Europlast LTD in Endeavor and at Spartech in Portage. Suzy is survived by her husband of 33 years Kevin Kluge, two sons Joshua (Damaris) & Walter both of Endeavor, grandchildren Danielle Susan & Joshua Robert, Mother Ruth Martinez, father-in-law Lyle Kluge, sisters Sherry Hellmer of North Carolina, Debbie (Kevin) Fus of Chicago, IL & Rebecca Timme of Endeavor,...

Richard Frank Branshaw, age 87, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2022, in Portage, WI. He was born September 2, 1934 in Milwaukee, WI. He lived most of his life in Portage and attended Portage area schools. Richard served in the Marine Corps and was a veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of the American Legion and VFW. He served on the United Fund Board, Columbia County Board, and Portage City Council. He served 10 years on the Police and Fire Commission of Portage and was appointed to the State Water Regulatory Board by Governor Reynolds. He spent most of his years self-employed. Richard enjoyed golf, curling, traveling, and spending time with family on Swan Lake. Preceded in...

BRIGGSVILLE/PORTAGE - Dale D. Stainbrook, age 71, passed away on Monday, March 1, 2022. Dale was born on May 29, 1950 in the Wisconsin Rapids to Kenneth and Matilda (Cote) Stainbrook. He grew up in the Wisconsin Rapids area and attended Lincoln High School. Dale married the love of his life on March 31, 1979 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Port Edwards, WI. He worked at several cheese processing companies in Wisconsin Rapids, Green Bay, and Portage. He was an outdoorsman and his passion was fishing which he instilled in his granddaughters. A happy day was out on the lake, he loved being out on the water. Dale also enjoyed traveling to Cancun, Dominican Republic, and up north at the...

Keyeser - Robert Reuben Bredeson (Bob, Dad, Papa, Brady, Wildman) - age 71, pedal to the metal - crossed the finished line and kept on going, February 8, 2022. Robert was born at Fort Ord, California on June 12, 1950, to PFC Reuben W. Bredeson and Clara D. (Schmid) Bredeson. Robert graduated DeForest High School, class of 1968. Robert started working at a young age for Keyeser area farmers, doing various jobs. Robert retired from Kraft Oscar Meyer in 2013 - after 39 years of service. Retirement couldn't slow him down, so he continued with a position with Brakebush Brothers, Inc. Robert married the love of his life, Carol Jean Nordness, on June 28, 1974, at Spring Prairie Lutheran in...

Eugene "Skip" Clifford Knudson passed away on Sunday, January 2, 2022. He was born to Oda Marie (Miller) Knudson and Clifford Earl Knudson on January 14, 1935, in Stevens Point, WI. He was the older brother to Gary Knudson. Skip grew up in Adams-Friendship, WI, and served in the Army where he was a field radio repairman. He went on to complete college in Madison, WI where he met and fell in love with Mary Lou Zanoni. They were married on February 7, 1959, and had three children, Tracy, Cori, and Tara. The family lived in Maryland and New York before settling back in Wisconsin. He worked at the NSA, Bell Aerosystems Company, and Olin Corporation before deciding to return to school at UW...

TOWN OF HAMPDEN-Douglas "Doug" C. Seib, 68, was called to his eternal home surrounded by his family on December 6, 2021. Doug was born March 20, 1953 in Columbus WI, to Richard and Barbara Ann "Polly" (Weisman) Seib. He graduated from Sun Prairie High School in 1972, and married his high school sweetheart Celia Mae Reindl on May 3, 1975. He graduated from Moraine Park Technical Institute in 1974 with a degree in Agricultural Mechanics. Doug "Mr. Fix It" started his career as a mechanic at Hanley's Implement in Sun Prairie, WI and retired from Mid-State Power and Equipment in Columbus, WI. He retired after 47 years of turning wrenches and became legendary for being able to work on all...