Obituaries

CROSS PLAINS–Dad enjoyed reading and shared an article titled, “Laughter Makes You Live Longer.” He said, “If that’s true, I’ll live a long life.” The Jolly Ole Fellow, with a hearty laugh, wore out on Dec. 2, 2022, at the age of 87.

His journey started on Oct. 25, 1935, when he was born to John H. and Marcella A. (Bowar). Dad graduated from Middleton High School in 1954. He often bragged about being part of Middleton High School’s first state championship football team in 1953. After graduation, he served his country as a tank mechanic in the US Army. Upon returning home he continued to serve as a member of the American Legion Post 245, a volunteer with Cross Plains-Berry Fire Department, and a member of St. Francis Xavier Church.

Ronald "Ron" S. Endres, 71, of Middleton, passed away peacefully in Madison, on Nov. 26, 2022 after a brief battle with lung cancer with family by his side.

He was born on Sept. 19, 1951 in Madison, the second oldest child of Albert Mathias Endres and his wife Bernadette Catherine (Hellenbrand) Endres.

After attending Middleton High School in the late 1960s, Ron married Mary Ann Masino on Sept. 26, 1969 at Saint Peter Catholic Church in Ashton. Prior to their divorce in the early 1970s, they welcomed twin sons, Robert J. and Randall C., on Nov. 28, 1969.

CROSS PLAINS–Darlene A. “DoDo” Capel, 87, of Cross Plains, passed away on Nov. 29, 2022, following a brief battle with cancer. She was born on June 25, 1935, in Madison, the daughter of Isadore and Adeline (Bohle) Buechner.

Darlene graduated from Middleton High School, with the class of 1953. In 1970 she joined her dad, Isie, her brother, Ray, and eventually her sister, Holly, working in the family business, Hi-Way Service Garage, for many years until her retirement. She enjoyed playing cards with her many friends in their card club of over 50 years. Darlene was an avid bowler, joining her mother’s team at a young age and enjoyed years of bowling with her friends, daughters and granddaughter. She was a Wisconsin sports fan, but she was most passionate about the Packers. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Post 245 and a lifetime member of St. Martin's Lutheran Church.

EDGERTON/MIDDLETON–Alan Norman Acker, 70, passed away on Oct. 31, 2022, at Oregon Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Oregon. Sadly, he died after an 18-month duration with renal cell cancer.

He was born on March 5, 1952 in Madison to Albert Frank Acker and his wife Lorraine Rose (Meffert) Acker, who were married on March 4, 1943, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Ashton.

After graduating from Middleton High School in 1971 he later enlisted in the US Army National Guard. Alan was a commercial truck driver for many years. He enjoyed landscaping, family gatherings, and plowing snow in his neighborhood in his spare time.

MIDDLETON–William (“Bump” or “Bill”) Wills, 84, passed away peacefully due to end stage COPD on Nov. 17, 2022. He was at his home in Middleton, with his family by his side.

Bill was born in Madison on Dec. 18, 1937. He attended Middleton High School before attending the US Navy. Bill worked as a tinner in the sheet metal industry for Kilgust Mechanical in Monona for 35 years until his retirement. While not at work, he enjoyed helping on the family farm, fishing and hunting. Bill was a hard worker but liked to play hard too. He was always the life of the party and enjoyed spending time at Paul’s Neighborhood Bar having an “Old Shmile.” Bill was known to make people around him laugh with his quick wit and one liners. His family was very important to him, especially his two grandsons, Alex and Aaron Wills.

MIDDLETON–Arlene Mae (Guck) Warren, 92, of Middleton, passed away on Nov. 23, 2022, at St. Mary's Care Center. She was born in in her grandparents’ big farm home in Ferryville, to Bernard and Agnes (Moldrem) Guck on April 12, 1930. She was baptized at Utica Lutheran Church and confirmed at the Viroqua Lutheran Church.

ARLINGTON–JoAnn F. Wagner, 80, of N1290 County Road Q, Arlington, passed away on October 24, 2022 at the Homestead Living memory care center in Waunakee. She spent the last several months of her life holding the hand of her husband Bill, the love of her life, and in the company of her children and grandchildren.

She was born JoAnn Frances Diederich in Middleton on May 4, 1942 to Anthony P. and Edna Marie (Mani) Diederich. In 1960, she graduated from Middleton High School where she was a member of Future Homemakers of America (FHA), Girls Athletic Association (GAA), chorus, and the girl's glee club. The inscription next to her senior portrait in the yearbook said, "A real live-wire with plenty of go."

HARSHAW–Former Black Earth and Cross Plains resident Dale Raymond Statz, 62, of rural Harshaw in Oneida County, passed away on Oct. 12, 2022, with his loving family by his side after a tenacious battle with cancer.

He was born on Sept. 10, 1960 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison to Edward John Statz and his wife Donna Ray (Hanson) Statz, who were married on July 23, 1955 in Cross Plains.

Dale was a 1979 graduate of Middleton High School where he was on the junior varsity and varsity basketball and football teams all during his high school years. He earned second team all-conference honors in football at UW-La Crosse. Dale continued to live and work in the Cross Plains and Madison area.

MIDDLETON–Joanne Theresa (Dwyer) Shannon of Milton, MA passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family. Jody is survived by her loving husband Jerry, her two sons Patrick and Tom Shannon along with their wives India and Katie Shannon. She is also survived by her two incredibly bright and beautiful granddaughters Claire and Lyla the daughters of Tom and Katie.

Jody is the daughter of the late Roger and Constance Dwyer, sisters Judith Ebbs, Jean Enos and brother Roger Dwyer and proceeded in death her sister Mary Jane Williams.

A celebration of life will be held in Boston, MA in the spring of 2023.

Please share your memories at cressfuneralservice.com.

MIDDLETON–Virginia L. Pfotenhauer, 95, of Middleton, passed away on August 14, 2022. She was born in Sheboygan, WI to John and Evelyn (Luhman) Watson. 

Virginia graduated from Sheboygan North High School and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, from which she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in English Education (1950) and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction (1965). Her teaching experience included secondary schools in Oconto Falls, and Howards Grove; and middle and elementary schools in Sheboygan and Middleton.

She married Milton G. Pfotenhauer in Sheboygan, (1951) who preceded her in death (1996).

Virginia attended Middleton Community Church. She was a member of PDK (education) Fraternity, Middleton-Cross Plains Educators Group and the Middleton Historical Society. She previously volunteered at Middleton Outreach Ministry (MOM), where she worked in the food and clothing distribution center.