Craig Crofoot, '89, Madison, died Sept. 3 at age
51.
Jill Van Dien, '87, Stevens Point, died Dec. 10 at
age 45 after a short illness. She coached gymnastics at Stevens
Point Area Senior High School for two years and recently worked as a
pharmacy tech for Kmart. She is survived by her fianc, Steve
Shifflett.
Stuart Bergmann, '83, Kenosha, died Oct. 17 at age
49 after battling brain cancer. He had worked for the Boy Scouts of
America since 1984, most recently as scout executive of the
Southeast Wisconsin Council BSA. He was a member of the Downtown
Racine Rotary Club, was active in his church and enjoyed many
sports. He is survived by his wife, Lisa, a son and three daughters.
1970s
Keith Henning, '79, Wausau, died Dec. 27 at age 54
after a six-year battle with cancer. He was a computer programmer
and systems analyst with several insurance companies, most recently
with United Health Care, UMR. He enjoyed outdoor recreation and
competed in marathons and cross country ski races. His wife, Susan,
a son and daughter survive.
Gary Erman, '77, Ocala, Fla., died April 22, 2009,
at age 65. He was a former longtime Plover resident who moved to
Florida with his wife, Mary, in 2007. She survives, as do three
stepchildren, a step-granddaughter and step-great-grandchild.
Naomi Nash, '77, Wisconsin Rapids, died Nov. 8 at
age 81. She was a dietitian and consulting dietitian at St. Mary's
Hospital in Madison, Riverview Hospital in Wisconsin Rapids and
Waupaca Hospital. She also developed and taught the dietetic
technician program at Mid-State Technical College. Her husband,
Lawrence, two daughters, a son and five grandchildren survive.
Richard Newby, '77, Knoxville, Tenn., a Stevens
Point native, died Feb. 16, after battling cancer. He repaired
instruments at Rush’s Music in Knoxville. His wife, Sandy, survives.
William Wright, '77, Stevens Point, died February
17 at age 59. He worked as an adviser and coach at UWSP from 1986
until he retired in 2009. Among the programs he touched were the
track and field team, Black Student Union, annual Gospel Choir Fest,
University Activity Board and Upward Bound program. He holds the
UWSP shot put record at 59 feet and 9 inches and made the Olympic
trials in 1980.
Thomas Grueser, '75, Dyersburg, died Sept. 22 at
age 58. He was a sales associate at Lowe's and worked as a YMCA
executive director for 23 years. He was involved in many civic
groups, served as president of the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs and
worked with Habitat for Humanity. His wife of 23 years, Suzanne, and
a son survive.
Vern Kenas, '74, Menomonie, died Oct. 12 at age 62.
He owned a farm in Lucas Township and was a project manager and
engineer, working for Bechtel Power Corp., Northern States Power
Co., A.S. Steam Line project and Hydro Redevelopment project. He
retired from Xcel Energy after 20 years as a senior consultant. He
also taught Junior Achievement in Eau Claire and Menomonie. His wife
of 25 years, Margaret, a daughter and son survive.
Donald Wachowiak, '74, Waupaca, died Jan. 22 at age
58. He worked at Consolidated Papers Inc (now New Page) for 30 years
before retiring in 2008. He was an officer of UWSP's Paper Science
Foundation. His wife of 38 years, Cathy, two daughters and four
grandchildren survive.
Violet (Mueller) Keats, '73, Stevens Point, died
Oct. 27. She taught in Milwaukee, Madison and Stevens Point and did
post-graduate work at UW-Madison. She also served as the
reading/language arts coordinator for the Stevens Point schools. In
retirement she worked with UWSP student interns in the school
district. She was involved in many reading organizations and the
Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra Guild and enjoyed traveling in
the U.S. and abroad with her husband, Norman. He survives, along
with two sons and five grandchildren.
Timothy Estabrook, '72, Rhinelander, died Dec. 31,
2008, at age 59. He served in the U.S. National Guard and was
president of Estabrook Insurance for more than 20 years. He is
survived by his wife, Renee, and two sons.
Violet (Dye) Premo, '72, King, died Dec. 9 at age
78. She taught in Westfield, retiring in 1994 after 24 years of
teaching. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, and is
survived by three sons and two daughters, 16 grandchildren, 11
great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Sharon “Shari†Kitowski, '73, Adams, died Sept. 24
at age 59. She taught in Auburndale then in Adams-Friendship for 30
years, retiring in 2010. She also loved traveling and cooking.
James Woller, MS '73, Stevens Point, died Jan. 29
at age 85. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany during World War
II, including the Battle of the Bulge, and earned the
European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Service Medal, the Good
Conduct Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge and a
belated Bronze Star. He worked for the U.S. Soil Conservation
Service in Appleton, Stratford and Stevens Point, and was the
district conservationist for Portage County for more than 25 years,
retiring in 1975. He was involved in many civic groups in Stevens
Point. His wife of 57 years, Betty Lou, survives.
Paul Fonferek, '70, Green Bay, died Aug. 13 at age
63 after a short illness. He worked in fork lift sales for many
years. Two sons survive.
1960s
Leon Lange, '69, Clarksville, Tenn., died Oct. 24.
He was retired from a Department of Defense school at Fort Campbell,
Ky., and was also an adjunct instructor at Austin Peay State
University. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen (Golla)
Lange, '69, a son and four grandchildren.
Mary 'Kathy' Opall, '69, Wausau, died August 23 at
age 64, having battled multiple sclerosis for 18 years. She was a
kindergarten teacher in Wausau for more than 25 years and was the
first girls tennis coach at Wausau West High School. She was
president of the Wausau Education Association and the Wausau
Hospital Center Volunteers and also volunteered for Meals on Wheels
and the MS Society. She was also active in her church. She is
survived by her husband of 40 years, Al, and a son and daughter.
Mae (Maguire) Fuller, '65, Stratford, died Dec. 3
at age 94. She farmed and raised her children with her husband, Bob,
then earned her degree and taught in Eau Pleine and Stratford
schools, retiring in 1980. Her husband preceded her in death and she
is survived by two daughters, three sons, 11 grandchildren and 33
great-grandchildren.
Rose (Derezinski) McIlhone, '63, Waukesha, died
Nov. 15 at age 70. She was a school teacher then a home economist
and parish office worker for St. Mary Catholic Church in Waukesha.
She was the president and a member of Christian Mothers. Her
husband, John, preceded her in death and she is survived by two
daughters, a son and two grandchildren.
Virginia (Schmidtke) Peterson, '72, ME '84, Naples,
Fla., and Wautoma, died Oct. 22 at age 64. She taught elementary
school in Deerfield and Nekoosa then earned an educational
specialist degree at UW-Stout and was the director of the drug and
alcohol program for the Nekoosa school district. After moving to
Wausau she was a school counselor at G.D. Jones Elementary School
until her retirement in 2000. She was a member of churches in both
Naples and Wautoma. She is survived by her husband, Roger, two sons
and four grandchildren. A son preceded her in death.
Dora (Kittel) Schilling, '63, Wausau, died Jan. 1
at age 96. She taught in one-room schoolhouses then elementary
schools for 40 years, retiring in 1975. She enjoyed reading,
puzzles, needlework, crafts and gardening. Her husband, Arvin, and a
son preceded her in death. Two sons, a daughter, nine grandchildren
and 13 great-grandchildren survive.
Harriet (Slack) Reid, '62, Watertown, died Oct. 27,
at age 70. She taught in Menomonee Falls and Anchorage, Alaska, then
headed the art program and created an all-day kindergarten program
at Calvary Baptist Christian School in Watertown, where she taught
for 32 years. She is survived by her husband, George, two sons and
two granddaughters.
Cornelia 'Connie' (Weckwerth) Teske, '62,
Westfield, died Dec. 20, 2009, at age 93. She was a teacher for more
than 36 years and was principal of the old Westfield Elementary
School. She was active in her church and was an organist for over 50
years. Her husband, Harvey, a son and grandson preceded her in
death. Two daughters, eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren
survive.
B. Kay (Chesebro) Tremel, '62, Brookfield, died
Sept. 17 at home. While at UWSP, Kay was a member of Newman Club and
the Omega Mu Chi sorority and a cheerleader and Homecoming Queen
candidate. She taught English at D.C. Everest High School in
Schofield and in the Elmbrook school district in Brookfield. She is
survived by her husband, Jim Chesebro, '58, a
daughter, son and five grandchildren. Her brothers, Donald
Chesebro, '58, and Robert Chesebro, '60,
were also Pointers.
Anna (Zick) McMahon, '61, Green Bay, died Sept. 11
at age 92. She taught in Lone Rock and New Lisbon and was a
high-school librarian until she retired in 1979. She was preceded in
death by her husband of 65 years, Emmett, and is survived by a son,
Hugh McMahon, '68, Fort Atkinson, as well as two
daughters, eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and a
great-grandchild.
Martha (Wruck) Polacek, '61, Westfield, died April
28 at age 71. She taught in Montello then in Westfield for over 35
years. In retirement she was a substitute teacher. She also ran an
ethnic bed and breakfast in Westfield for over 20 years. Her
husband, Ron, preceded her in death and she is survived by three
sons and two grandsons.
Richard Stroede, '61, Defiance, Ohio, died of
cancer on May 8 at age 70. He earned a master's degree at UW-Madison
and a Ph.D. from Walden University in Minneapolis. He was an
associate professor at Defiance College for 40 years, serving as
department chair, division chair, faculty chair, associate academic
dean and retired as vice president for Academic Affairs in 2004,
acting as college president for one summer. He earned many awards
for teaching excellence and earned the college's highest
recognition, the Pilgrim Medal. He also founded and led many music
and performance groups at the college. In Defiance he was active in
community theatre, civic boards and cultural councils. He built and
played a variety of instruments and composed various works. He is
survived by his wife, Emily, a son, daughter, four grandchildren and
one great-grandchild.
Kenneth Winn, '60, King, formerly of Stevens Point,
died Oct. 24 at age 78. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean
War and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon at UWSP. He enjoyed
working with children in a reading program in Stevens Point.
1950s
Charlotte (LaRue) (Sylvester) Butler, '58,
Cleveland, Ohio, died in Madison on Nov. 1 at age 89. She taught in
Kimberly. Her late husband, Walter Sylvester, taught at UWSP from
1947 until his death in 1957. She then married Leo Butler, who
survives.
Donald Chesebro, '58, Wisconsin Rapids, died Nov.
17 at age 76. He served in the U.S. Army and was a music teacher in
Wisconsin Rapids for 35 years, retiring in 1994. He also was a
professional musician, playing in national, regional and local bands
including the Don Chesebro Band. He directed the Wisconsin Rapids
City Band for many years and worked with the Lincoln High School
Ethnic Band. He is survived by his wife, Marlene, two daughters and
two sons.
Janet (Bird) Hutter, '57, Oregon/Monona/Janesville,
died Nov. 12, 2009, at age 74. She was a kindergarten teacher in
Nekoosa, Janesville and Madison and was active in her church. She is
survived by two sons, a daughter and five grandchildren.
Patricia (Isherwood) Menzel, '56, Fox River Grove,
died Dec. 15 at age 75. She taught first grade for 34 years, 23 of
which were in Arlington Heights, Ill. She was a gourmet cook and
active in her church. She and her husband, Gerald, traveled
extensively. He survives as do two sons, a daughter and five
grandchildren.
Ronald Kubisiak, '55, Wisconsin Rapids, died Sept.
6 at age 76. He was a conservation warden for more than 39 years in
Wisconsin Rapids, Gilman and Necedah. He received the Haskell Noyes
Award as the Outstanding Conservation Warden of the Year in 1977. He
was a skilled marksman, woodworker and outdoorsman and enjoyed
watching Wisconsin professional sports teams. He is survived by his
wife, Carol, three sons, two daughters and 10 grandchildren.
Gene Anderson, '53, Fort Myers, Fla., died Feb. 18
at age 80 after battling cancer. He served in the U.S. Army, worked
as a certified public accountant then joined Forward Communications
in Wausau as its chief financial officer from 1966 until his
retirement in 1988. He is survived by his wife, Clare, two
daughters, a son and six grandchildren.
Phyllis (Caskey) Schmidt, '53, MS '76, Marathon,
died May 14. She taught elementary school in Laona, Marshfield,
Oshkosh, Madison, Wausau and Marathon and was a reading specialist.
In retirement she was involved in educational groups and her church.
She is survived by her husband, Wayne Schmidt, '58,
two sons and a daughter.
Barbara Nottleson Taylor, '52, Atlantic, Iowa, died
Jan. 4 at age 78. She earned a bachelor's degree from Winona State
University then taught in Rosholt. After moving to Rochester, Iowa,
she became an editor and photographer for a newspaper for city
employees as well as a retail shop owner, substitute teacher and
math center aide. She was involved in several civic organizations
and in her church. She is survived by two daughters, a son and two
grandchildren. Her husband, Curtis Taylor, '54,
preceded her in death.
Marilyn (Bobbe) Loberg, '50, Oshkosh, died Aug. 28,
at age 81. She taught home economics in Weyauwega and Winneconne
then coordinated home economics at Fox Valley Technical College for
35 years. She was active in her church and enjoyed many hobbies,
Packer games and the outdoors. Her husband of 59 years, Merlin, a
daughter, two sons and seven grandchildren survive.
George Phillip, '50, Stevens Point, died Aug. 16 at
age 86. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a fighter pilot during
World War II, retiring from the Air Force Reserve in 1983 with the
rank of major, three overseas bars, a victory medal and American
Theatre ribbon. He taught in Red Granite then was a sales manager
for General Foods Corp., retiring in 1983. He was active in his
church and enjoyed outdoor sports. His wife of 61 years, Geraldine,
three daughters, a son, 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren
survive. A son preceded him in death.
1940s
Margaret (Hull) Johnson, '49, Eau Claire, died June
28 at age 83. She taught in Clintonville, Wisconsin Rapids and Oak
Creek then raised her children. She was active in the South
Milwaukee city marching band for many years. After moving to Eau
Clare, she served as a UW-Eau Claire campus librarian. She was also
active in her church and traveled to all 50 states and to Europe and
Asia. Her husband, Rodney, and a son and daughter survive, as does a
sister, Virginia (Hull) Cade, '49.
Martha Henshaw, '48, Levittown, Pa., died Jan. 4 at
age 85. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Jon, as well as
three daughters and three sons.
Beatrice (Dahlke) 'Pete' Strunk, '44, died Oct. 14
at age 84. She was a teacher for 49 years and also taught CCD at St.
Bernard's Parish. Her husband, Arnold, survives.
Cecilia (Winkler) Welch, '41, Stevens Point, died
Nov. 25 at age 100. She taught in Beaver Dam and Stevens Point for
more than 37 years, was a community volunteer and a member of the
Catholic Daughters of the Americas and the Stevens Point Area
Retired Teacher Association. Her husband, Henry, preceded her in
death. Her nephew, John Winkler, '69, Melbourne,
Ky., survives.
Ulamae (Knutson) Bullington, '40, Madison, died
Nov. 24 at age 91. She was a Morse code operator during World War II
and trained members of the Army Air Corps. She later earned a
master's degree at UW-Madison. She taught English at Madison West
High School then ran the Turtle Lake Motel in Turtle Lake with her
husband, Chester, retiring in 1980, then returning to Madison after
her husband's death. Her three daughters and a son survive as well
as 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Raymond Wiersig, '40, Manitowoc, died April 3,
2005, at age 85. He was a teacher and coach in Argonne, Pardeeville,
Sparta, Algoma and Two Rivers, then operated C. Schlei Dray Line of
Manitowoc until his retirement in 1983. He enjoyed playing and
watching sports, especially the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs.
He was a member of the Elks Lodge and Bank of Two Rivers Board of
Directors. His wife, Mary, preceded him in death, and he is survived
by a son, daughter and four grandchildren.
1930s
Joyce (Sullivan) Benson, '39, Stevens Point, died
Jan. 27 at age 92. She taught in a one-room schoolhouse in rural
Portage County for a number of years, then owned and operated a
hardware store with her husband in Ripon. She was active in civic
groups in Ripon and enjoyed travel with her husband, who preceded
her in death. Two daughters, a son, seven grandchildren and six
great-grandchildren survive.
Alma (Miller) Riegert, '34, DePere, died August 7
at age 104. She earned a master's degree in library science after
attending UW-Madison, UW-Oshkosh and St. Norbert College. She taught
in Enterprise then Elcho, where she was a librarian, drama coach and
yearbook adviser for many years. She held a life membership in the
Wisconsin Education Association and enjoyed travel, reading and
gardening. Her husband, Peter, preceded her in death.
Cedric Vig, '33, Rhinelander, died Oct. 31, at age
98. He was a principal in Ashland and Rhinelander before serving as
superintendent of schools in New Richmond and Rhinelander. In
retirement he developed and taught at Nicolet College's Institute
for Learning in Retirement. He was a longtime columnist for the
Rhinelander Daily News and two other Wisconsin newspapers, writing
about the natural world. He also published two books and was active
with Treehaven and Trees for Tomorrow. He was instrumental in
creating one of the state's first school forests and has an outdoor
classroom named in his honor in the town of Pelican. In 1983 he was
named a UWSP Distinguished Alumnus and in 2005 he was inducted into
the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame. His wife, Marvel, a son,
five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren survive. He was
preceded in death by a son.
