March 2022

Middleton’s girls basketball team didn’t have the season it hoped for.

But the Cardinals still fared awfully well when it came to all-Big Eight Conference voting.

Junior wing Audrey Deptula was named first-team all-Big Eight Conference. Senior guard McKenna Monogue was named second-team all-conference.

“These two led us in most of our statistical categories,” Middleton coach Jeff Kind said of the duo. “They were our main scoring threats and, as such, the main focus of opponents’ defenses.

“I was happy they were both recognized among a very strong group of individual players in the conference this year.”

Deptula led the Cardinals in both scoring at 15.8 points per game and rebounding (7.6). Deptula added 1.1 assist per game, shot 33.2% from the field and from 3-point range, and 75.3% from the free throw line.

MIDDLETON–Elizabeth "Betty" M. Ahlstedt, 6430 Pheasant Lane, Middleton, passed away on Jan. 26, 2022 at the age of 100. 

She was born Elizabeth Schrade on Feb. 16, 1921 at St. Mary's Hospital in Orange, NJ. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Thure Edward Ahlstedt Jr., a Navy radio technician veteran of World War II., on Dec. 30, 1994 in Wilson, NC. 

Elizabeth is survived by her beloved daughter Deborah Ann Ahlstedt of Marquette, MI, her son Steven C. (Helen) of Ramsey, NJ; a granddaughter, Mary Ellen (Erik) Endress of Ramsey, NJ, and two great-grandchildren, Griffin Endress of Boston, MA. and Jillian Endress of Ramsey, NJ; as well as her very dear friend, Michael Breunig of Middleton.

No services for Elizabeth were held. Informed Choice Funeral Home, 3325 E. Washington Ave., in Madison, served the family. Memorials may be made to Middleton Outreach Ministry, 3502 Parmenter St., Middleton, Wis. 53562.

DEFOREST–Thomas G. Grosse, 70, of DeForest, passed away peacefully at his home on January 31, 2022. 

Tom was born at Madison General Hospital on September 5, 1951 in Madison. to Wilbert and Lucille (Kuehn) Grosse. He grew up on the family farm in rural Cross Plains and graduated from Middleton High School in 1969. Tom served in the Army Reserves from 1969 until 1976.

On June 6, 2004, Tom married the love of his life, Colleen Wilde, in Bear Valley. He was a lifelong builder, eventually becoming a general contractor of his own company, Trend Construction in DeForest.

CROSS PLAINS–Stella Dresen, 87, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2022, at her home, surrounded by family. Stella was born on March 23, 1934, in Middleton, to Bernice and Clarence Breunig. 

Stella graduated from Middleton High School and began working at Madison Gas & Electric, where she met her future husband, Richard “Dick” Dresen. They were united in marriage on April 22, 1961, and settled in Cross Plains, where they built their home on Hickory Street, raised their family and enjoyed being part of the Cross Plains community. Stella and Dick enjoyed 55 years of marriage, until his passing on Nov. 14, 2016.

Her love of children inspired Stella to become a daycare provider for many years. She was fortunate to remain close to many of those families and was proud of the amazing adults they had become. She would often comment after their visits, “so many of my kids sure did well for themselves.”