All Obituaries

Christina P. Peck, 72, of Portage, passed away Monday, June 21, 2021 at her home surrounded by her family. No formal services will be held.

John Sidney DeGroot passed away peacefully Friday, June 18, 2021 at The Meadows in Fall River. He was born December 13, 1939 at home in Hixton, WI to Harry DeGroot and Olga (Krause) DeGroot.  He married Karen Bornfleth in Madison, November 6, 1964 and lived in Madison, Windsor, Rio, and Fall River. He worked for Kraemer Brothers and Findorff in the Madison area as an Ironworker, many years as a foreman before retirement. He was quite proud of many of the Madison buildings he helped put...

Francis Gerald (Jerry) Ham, 91, died  June 5, 2021, in Madison. Jerry was born April 13, 1930 in Tom’s River, New Jersey.  He graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois with a degree in history. It was at Wheaton where he met the love of his life, Elsie Jeane Magill of Lexington, Kentucky. After graduating from Wheaton in 1952, he moved to Lexington to join Elsie who was teaching 7th grade at Lafayette Junior High and to begin his graduate studies. In 1953 Jerry and Elsie...

Berwin Ralph McElroy, age 90, of Dalton, passed away May 30, 2021 at the Markesan Resident Home. He was born on October 22, 1930 to Georgetta (Kiefer) and Ralph McElroy.  For most of his life he farmed in  Marcellon Township, later in life he worked for a logging company in Shawano, Wisconsin before retiring to Dalton. Despite no longer operating a farm, farming remained his true passion, and in his retirement he dedicated his time to restoring antique tractors. He also enjoyed...

Kenneth A. Taylor, 65, of Pardeeville, passed away very peacefully, gazing across his pond on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, with his loyal dog Marley at his feet. Our dad was born on October 24, 1955, in Madison, the youngest son of Donald and Betty Taylor. He graduated from Madison East High School. On May 17, 1974, he married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Gale. He was a member of the Pardeeville United Methodist Church, serving the congregation and community faithfully. Dad...

Donna Lou Kupferschmidt (nee Kuchta), 57, went home to her precious Jesus on May 20th, 2021 after succumbing to Stage 4 metaplastic, metastatic, triple negative breast cancer. This cancer might have won the battle, but Donna won the war. Donna was born on September 19, 1963 to John and Amy Lucile Kuchta (nee Teele).  Donna grew up on a farm near Conrath, Wisconsin.  As the youngest of 11 children, she had to fight for a place in the family.  And a fighter she was.  In...

Scott Stephen Lueptow, 53 of Pardeeville, passed away unexpectedly May 19, 2021. He had a long battle with many medical issues. He was born August 7, 1967 in Portage, the son of Steve and Sally Lueptow. Scott graduated from Pardeeville High School in 1985 and was united in marriage to Melissa Drunasky July 30, 2004 in Portage. He retired from the University of Wisconsin campus. Scott volunteered his time at the Columbia County Humane Society where he went on many animal transports and was...

Sharyn R. Crook, 64, of Portage, passed away Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at U.W. Hospital in Madison after a courageous three-and-a-half month battle with cancer. She was born April 3, 1957 in Cambria to Peter and Mayme (Smits) Kloostra.  Sharyn attended and graduated from Cambria High School in 1975. She was employed for many years at Big O’s Trailer Sales in Portage as an office associate. She was united in marriage to Richard Crook in 2004. Sharyn enjoyed fishing at the Fred Thomas...

Glen Dettman, 77, of Wyocena, passed away Saturday, May 15, 2021. He was born May 7, 1944 in Marcellon WI to Charles (Charlie) and Viola (Sommerfeldt) Dettman. Glen was well known for being an exceptional mechanic and his willingness to teach his family about the art of mechanics. Glen also enjoyed being in the woods where he along with his wife Linda would cut wood in any weather. Survivors include his loving wife of 52 years Linda E. York; and sisters Ardelle Raedaz and Darlene Denzer....

Kurt A. Schwalbe, 55 of Madison, passed away Monday, May 10, 2021 at Agrace Hospice in Madison. Funeral services will be private. He will be laid to rest at Natural Passage Cemetery in Verona. A complete obituary to follow.