Obituaries

Aug 4, 2024

Michael G. Hartenberger came to the end of his 10-year journey with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) Sunday, August 4th at home, in Janesville; just weeks after turning 63. Mike is survived by his wife, Kathy Siekmann Hartenberger; son, Casey Hartenberger, and his wife, Kathleen, and son, Teddy; daughter, Kylie (Hartenberger) Meinert and her husband, Jake; step-daughters, Samantha Coston, and her...

Jul 29, 2024

MADISON – Charles Ward Johnson, age 59 of Madison, passed away on Monday, July 29, 2024, at his home. He was born in Madison on Dec. 13, 1964, the son of Ward and Crellin (Hartman) Johnson.

Upon graduating from Madison West High School in 1983, he served in the U.S. Navy, being honorably discharged in...

Jul 22, 2024

David L. Stika, age 70, died July 22, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin. David was born in and formerly resided in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Doris (Gray) Stika; brothers, Robert J. (Sandra) of Oakdale, Connecticut and Duane L. of Kenosha, Wisconsin. He is survived by his son, Toryn...

Jul 21, 2024

Joel Erwin Knutson, a beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend to many, passed away on July 21st, 2024 in Janesville, WI. He was born on July 30th, 1962 in Edgerton, WI to loving parents who instilled in him the values of hard work and compassion.

Joel's passing has left an indescribable void in the hearts...

Jul 20, 2024

Raymond Joseph Bates, 96, of Madison/Verona passed away peacefully on July 20, 2024. Ray was born on July 24, 1927, in Wilkes-Barre, PA to Bruce and Kathleen Bates. Upon graduating from Wilkes-Barre Myers High in 1945, he served in the U.S. Navy during and following World War II.

After his time with the Navy, he...

Jul 17, 2024

Ronald David Dunn, 78, of Janesville, WI, formerly of Sharon, WI, passed away on Wednesday, July 17th of natural causes.

Ron was born on April 13, 1946 to Douglas Dunn and Joyce (LaFevre) Dunn Weig in Elkhorn. Ron graduated from Big Foot High School in 1964. In October of 1965, Ron survived a car accident...

Jul 14, 2024

Audrey "Lynne" "Cookie" Abrahamson-Donoho, age 79, of Madison, Wis., passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, July 14, 2024, surrounded by her family, after a short yet courageous battle with cancer.

Lynne was born in Duluth, Minn., as the youngest of six children to Russel and Lucille Abrahamson. She graduated from Duluth Central High School...

Jul 13, 2024

Betty Jean (Pettit) Reynolds, age 96 passed peacefully from this world on Saturday evening July 13, 2024, at the Agrace HospiceCare Center, after bidding a sweet goodbye to her daughters Vicki (Andrew) Beltz and Joni (David Gieck) Mast.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, William “Bill” Frederick Reynolds; son-in-law, Phillip...

Jul 2, 2024

Sylvia Ilene Sommerfeldt (Spielmacher), age 85, loving mother and loyal wife passed away to be with Jesus on July 2, 2024, after a long battle with dementia.

Sylvia was born on August 7, 1938, in Beloit, Wisconsin. She married James “Jim” Dale Sommerfeldt on July 18, 1957. Jim passed away on July 21, 2021. He...

Jul 1, 2024

MADISON - Lorraine M. (Ash) Pells passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, July 1, 2024. She died of natural causes after a brief illness. Lorraine was born on June 16, 1930, - it was important for her to gather for her recent 94th birthday celebration. Lorraine attended Barneveld High School until 1950 following a career with Oscar...

Jun 30, 2024

STOUGHTON - Tracey Charles Nelson, age 62 passed away on June 30, 2024, with his sister, Jeannine and niece, Katy, by his side after a battle with lung cancer. He was known for his unwavering selflessness and dedication to others.

Tracey developed a deep passion for roofing early in life, inspired by his father, a...

Jun 26, 2024

Christine “Chris” Grace Erdman is headed for the infinite Lambeau Field in the great beyond. She died peacefully on June 26, 2024, after a brief hospital stay.

Chris was born on December 5, 1952, in Manitowoc, WI to Willard Valentine Erdman Jr. and Shirley Ann (Kretche) Erdman. Her entire young life was spent among dear...

Jun 21, 2024

David Norman Reppen, age 75, passed away on Friday June 21, 2024, in his home in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin surrounded by loved ones. He was born in Madison, Wisconsin on April 10, 1949, the son of Norman and Elaine (Nottestad) Reppen.

David graduated from Monona Grove High School in 1967, going on to graduate from...

Jun 19, 2024

MADISON - William Park “Bill” Reinhardt was born on March 25, 1953, and died, at home, on June 19, 2024, three months after being diagnosed with cancer.

He worked for many years at the South Madison Public Library and Canterbury Book Store. Bill loved books, especially travel books, and had an encyclopedic memory of what...

Jun 14, 2024

DEFOREST – Judy A. Portolos, age 74, passed away unexpectedly at home in the early morning of Friday, June 14, 2024.

Judy was born August 17, 1949, in Cleveland, Ohio, to parents, John and Olga Harasyn.

Judy was a 1967 graduate of Lincoln High School in Cleveland, Ohio, and a 1971 graduate of...

May 27, 2024

COTTAGE GROVE – Helen M. Hendrickson, age 88 of Cottage Grove, passed away on Monday, May 27, 2024, at Shepherd Premier Senior Living in Cottage Grove, following a brief illness.

Helen was born in Viola, Wis., on Sept. 15, 1935, the daughter of Delos and Mildred (Mayfield) Glick. Helen and her family lived on a...

May 26, 2024

MARSAHLL, WIS. - Kenneth “Ken” Neal Elliott, a devoted husband, loving father, and respected figure in the dairy industry, passed away on Sunday, May 26, 2024, after a courageous battle with ALS also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was born on April 21, 1958, in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, to Murray and Marion (Neal) Elliott. Ken peacefully departed this...

May 24, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joan Peterson (Gladem), a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Joan left this world on May 24, 2024, after a nine-year battle with cancer.

Born on February 14, 1949, in Mobile, Alabama, Joan brought warmth and joy into the lives of all who knew her. In...

May 23, 2024

BLUE MOUNDS - Diane M. Wensel, age 75, passed away unexpectedly on May 23, 2024, in her home in Blue Mounds, Wis.

She was born July 18,1949 in Lancaster, Wis., to Merlin and Darlene (Niles) Adams.

Diane met her soulmate, Alfred “Butch” Wensel in 1968 and were married in 1969. They enjoyed riding...

May 19, 2024

Helen Alter (Cook, nee Stieb) passed peacefully on May 19, 2024. She was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, George Alter. Their blended family includes Arne Cook (Jessica, Tanner, Alec); Shauna Cook; Roderick Cook; Greg Alter (Pam, Joshua); Jeff Alter (Jessi).

Helen’s sweet nature and kind heart were traits she never lost...