Obituaries

MIDDLETON-John J. “Jack” Hilgers, age 84, passed away at his home on Wednesday, March 20, 2013.  He was born on August 3, 1928, in Madison, the son of Werner and Helen (Spence) Hilgers. 

MAZOMANIE – Gerald R. Meicher, age 77 of Mazomanie, died Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013 at Sterling House in Middleton, surrounded by his family.


He was born July 6, 1935 in Pine Bluff to Leo and Mary (Hauser) Meicher.


He was united in marriage to Sharon Kay Shaub on Sept. 2, 1955. Sharon preceded him in death on May 17, 2012.

He loved the outdoors, polka dancing, playing euchre, and going up north to Minocqua, with family and friends.


He was a former member of Hiawatha Gun Club in Waunakee, the Bentshaft Bow Hunters, the Oakridge Rifle Clubs in Verona and was currently a member of the River Sportsman Club in Mazomanie.


CROSS PLAINS-Richard “Dick” R. Karn, age 76, of Cross Plains, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013, at Meriter Hospital after an extended illness.  Born in Madison on June 22, 1936, the son of Leslie and Bertha (Hosley) Karn, he spent 18 years on the home farm in Verona and was a 1954 graduate of Verona High School. 

MONROE - Elaine Walsh Stricker, 94, passed away on Monday, December 24, 2012.  She was born December 23, 1918 in Middleton, WI, the daughter of John F. and Anastasia Kennedy Walsh.  

The family moved to Madison where she lived and attended school.  She was a graduate of Edgewood.  Her marriage to J. Daniel (Don) Stricker took place April 15, 1942 at St. Raphael's Cathedral, Madison.  She and her husband resided in Madison until 1959 at which time they moved to Janesville.  In 1963 they relocated to Monroe where she was employed by St. Clare Hospital.  She served as the Assistant Medical Record Administrator until her retirement in 1983.  She was a member of St. Victor Catholic Parish.  Elaine was a steadfast UW Badger and Green Bay Packer fan.  

LaVerne Kasten, age 93, a longtime resident of Middleton, passed away on Sunday, December 2, 2012 at Oakwood Village University Woods (West).  LaVerne, the daughter of Arthur and Adela (Haupt) Kemp was born in Mequon on November 28, 1919. 

Sylvester C. Jacob, age 72 of Middleton, formerly of Jefferson, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 29, 2012 at Oak Park Place in Middleton from Alzheimer’s.  He was born on April 26, 1940 in Medina son of the late James and Eunice (Fisch) Jacob.

Sylvester worked at Hartwig’s Poultry Farms as a Foreman for many years until its closing.  He then went to work for Wis-Cold Packaging in Milwaukee until he retired in 2004.  He served in the United States Army, and was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Jefferson.