February 2020

Middleton High School and boys hockey coach Steffon Walby have agreed to “part ways" following the use of an ineligible player.

Middleton asked the WIAA for an eligibility waiver for senior forward Joe O’Reilly in Oct., 2019, but that request was denied. But Walby played O’Reilly in 23 games, and he finished as the Cardinals’ third-leading scorer.

The WIAA received an anonymous tip about O'Reilly on Feb. 19, less than 24 hours after Middleton defeated Tomah/Sparta in its playoff opener. The Cardinals were then stripped of their playoff win, and Tomah/Sparta replaced Middleton in the regional final against Sun Prairie.

The Cardinals, who went 14-10 during the regular season, are also likely to be stripped of all their other wins.

After a week-long investigation, district administrators and Walby determined it was best for the program to start fresh.

MIDDLETON–Emogene M. (Simon) Frederick, age 90, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Feb. 3, 2020, at Brookdale Middleton Stonefield. Emogene was born on March 7, 1929, to John and Emma (Schmitt) Simon in Springfield Corners. She grew up in Springfield Corners, attended St. Martin’s Grade School and graduated from Middleton High School with the class of 1947.

Emogene married Vern Frederick on Jan. 16, 1951, at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Martinsville. She worked for the Wisconsin State Revenue Department. Emogene was then a stay at home mom with her children. She was a supervisor for the Middleton School Library Services. Emogene enjoyed going to U.W. football and basketball games and also enjoyed watching her grandchildren participate in sporting events. She really liked boating, snowmobiling and going on many family vacations, as well as playing in her ladies bridge groups.

He who binds to himself a Joy Doth the winged life destroy;

But he who kisses the Joy as it flies Lives in Eternity's sunrise.

MIDDLETON–After a lifetime of adventures, varied careers, travel, hobbies, and lots of laughter, Mary Wells, age 69, died of complications due to the cancer she'd lived with for more than 15 years on Feb. 11, 2020.

Mary loved music, reading, riding her bicycle, sewing and writing. She delighted in the "gobble and gab" lunches with friends Jean Kringle and Rena Askey, occasions she said were too infrequent but always marvelously invigorating. Though her last years were less dramatic than those that went before, she was never lacking in activities, including, at the age of 66, deciding to study Greek.

MIDDLETON/MADISON–Ronald P. Schaefer, age 82, of Madison, passed away on Feb. 6, 2020, in Wickenburg, AZ. He was born on July 25, 1937, in Madison, the son of George and Genevieve (Hoven) Patzer.

Ronald graduated with the Central High School class of 1956. He worked for the State of Wisconsin Division of Highways for many years. He enjoyed playing for various softball and basketball leagues, and he proudly coached boys little league and girls softball teams. He also coached Cross Plains Home Talent baseball. Ronald loved being a youth leader at Mount Olive. He was a hardworking handy man and he loved playing golf and cards, riding dune buggies, and being around dogs.

Ronald is survived by his son, Jim; granddaughters, Teal and Brooke; sister, Jacci Overland; and many relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Randall Schaefer; and sister, Sandy Husby.