Obituaries

Christopher Grant, of Issaquah, died on February 1, 2025. He was 83 years of age.

Chris was born on April 2, 1941, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the eldest child of G. Paul and Emma Grant. The family later settled in Whitewater, Wisconsin, where his father was a Professor of English at what is now known as UW-Whitewater. Chris and his sisters, Susan and Jo, attended Campus Elementary, forming friendships that he cherished throughout his life.

Chris graduated as valedictorian from College High School in Whitewater and attended Carleton College before enlisting in the Army in 1959. He was stationed at Redstone Arsenal in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he met Barbara Fields. They married in 1961 and welcomed their daughter, Sharon, in August 1963, and their son, Jeffrey, in April 1967.

While serving in the Army, he continued his education, ultimately earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in Alabama. After his discharge, he and his young family moved to Chicago, where he completed a master’s degree in biomedical engineering at Northwestern University. Chris’ remarkable career in engineering included a long list of accomplishments. Among his proudest contributions was his work with Martin Marietta Aerospace as a design engineer for the NASA Skylab and Apollo missions from 1968 to 1982.

Chris met Karen Graser in Denver, and they married in 1991. After relocating to Seattle, they embraced the joys of the Pacific Northwest — sailing, camping, and hosting friends in their home. When Karen was diagnosed with cancer in 1996, Mr. Grant became her devoted caregiver. His love, kindness, and gentle spirit provided untiring support to Karen and her children, Scottie, KrisAnne, and Kim. He remained by her side, offering strength and comfort until she passed in 1997.

Chris found love again when he met Judy in 1998 while Zydeco dancing. They quickly bonded over their shared love of music, travel, and scuba diving. They married in 2001 and spent many joyful years exploring the Caribbean and embracing adventures including dancing, boating, traveling and scuba diving in exotic places, attending concerts and theater, hosting big Oscars parties annually for two decades, and more. A music historian, Chris built a 10,000-record vinyl collection and restored his three jukeboxes. He became a devoted stepfather to Brad and Annette, and grandpappy to all his grandchildren. He was thrilled by a family safari in Kenya three years ago — checking off a “bucket list” item he had dreamed of ever since reading Green Hills of Africa as a young boy.

In 2020, Chris was diagnosed with Semantic Dementia and Primary Progressive Aphasia, affecting the language center of the brain. He faced the challenges of the disease with resilience and grace. Through every step of this difficult journey, Judy stood by his side with unwavering devotion, dedicating herself fully to his care and comfort. Her love ensured that he lived with dignity, surrounded by warmth and compassion. Her strength and kindness were a true testament to the power of love.

Survivors include loving wife Judy Grant; sisters Jo Werner of Anchorage and Susan Diachok (Roger) of Phoenix; daughter Sharon Stephenson (Chris) of Las Vegas, son Jeffrey Grant (Anna) of Denver; stepchildren Kim Kvaal (Jim), KrisAnne Barta, Bradley Meacham (Marie), and Annette Fechenbach (Paul). He was loving Grandpappy to grandchildren Shawntel, Danielle (Wayne), Andrew, Theo, Isis, and great-grandchildren Landon, Zoey, Brixton, Padraig, and Fenny. 

Chris leaves behind a legacy of love, perseverance, and deep connection. Chris was a beloved husband, brother, father, uncle, stepfather, and grandfather. His life was one of adventure, curiosity, and kindness, touching the lives of so many. He will be profoundly missed but forever remembered.

A graveside memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, July 14, 2025, at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th St., Kent, Wash., 98042. Following the service there will be a gathering for family.

The family suggests remembrances to the Seattle Neuroscience Swedish Hospital Center for Healthy Aging or mailed to 747 Broadway, Seattle, WA, 98122.

Friends are invited to share memories and sign the family’s online guest book at www.flintofts.com

Editor’s note: Lt. Col. Morris taught ROTC at UW-Whitewater from 1969-1972.

Funeral service for Lieutenant Colonel (US Army Retired) Charles “Tom” Morris 84, of Anniston, will be held at First Baptist Church of Saks where he and Carolyn have been members for nearly 40 years, on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 4:00 pm. The family will receive friends from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm. Burial will take place in Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo.

Our family would like to announce to our friends and loved ones the passing of a beloved father, husband, and grandaddy. Tom passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Tom was born in Valdosta, GA on March 2, 1941. He earned a BS degree from Furman University in Greenville, SC and an MBA from Central Florida. He served in the United States Army for 24 years and served a tour in Vietnam. Tom’s military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal and Senior Parachutists’ Badge with 124 jumps.

After Tom graduated from Furman, prior to being in the military service, he traveled with the 1963 Hootenanny Tour. Playing the guitar and singing was a passion all his life. Tom had a hobby business of building control line model airplanes. He competed in many control line events. He was elected to the Precision Aerobatics Model Pilot Association Hall of Fame. Gardening and woodworking were also lifelong hobbies. Tom’s legacy of faith, kindness, strength and quick wit will forever be cherished by his family, friends and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of almost 60 years, Carolyn Morris; children, Scott (Michelle) Morris and Karen (Ted) Turgeon; along with his beloved grandsons, Evan, Landon, Christian, and Matthew.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to First Baptist Saks Christian Life Center at 4723 Saks Road Anniston, AL 36206

Sign Lieutenant Colonel Charles Morris‘s Guest Book

Clarence Everett Hansen, Jr. (Bud), 87, passed away on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at his family home in LaGrange, WI at 1:30 PM. Bud was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on December 6, 1937, to Clarence Hansen Sr. and Ruth (Dalson) Hansen and was baptized at Bethlehem Church in Milwaukee.

Bud graduated from Lutheran High School in Milwaukee on June 9, 1955. Following high school, Bud enlisted in the US Army and was a light weapons specialist and sharpshooter. He was stationed in Germany and upon honorable discharge, served in the Army Reserves until 1962. Bud married his wife, of 63 years, Faith, on September 6. They moved to Little Prairie, WI and owned and ran the Twin Oaks Bar for 5 years before moving to LaGrange, WI and beginning work at Colt Industries (Trent Tube) in East Troy, WI. Bud retired from there after working over 30 years. In retirement Bud spent much of his time fishing, golfing, gambling, and following the Packers and Brewers. He was also a member of First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater.

Bud was preceded in death by his wife, Faith, (May 19, 2025); father, Clarence and mother, Ruth; brother, Teddy; and son, Todd. He is survived by his daughter, Tracey Hansen; and sons, Troy and Tyler Hansen; daughter-in-law, Sue Hansen (Todd); his sister, Darleen Savatski; grandchildren, Jamie, Jennifer, Abby, Ryan, Katelyn, McKenzie, Addison, Eliza, Kassity, Karlye, Carsyn, Camdyn, and 22 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be at First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater at 11:00 AM, Saturday, June 7, 2025, with his and Faith’s service to follow at 12:00 Noon. A luncheon will be held at the church after the service.

In place of flowers, Bud would like donations to the Lauderdale LaGrange Rescue and Fire Department.

Edward (Ed) Geske passed away to the Great Workshop in the Sky on May 25, 2025, due to years of severe infections of the urinary tract.

Edward E. Geske was born on Thanksgiving Day to Elmer and Alice McMillan Geske on November 25, 1943 at the family home in Crystal Lake, Illinois. He was accompanied by his twin sister, Marjorie, on this momentous occasion. Edward’s siblings are: Nancy
(Tom) Trewyn, Arlene (Richard) Trewyn, Marjorie Petska, Susan (Gordy) Gimiski, Ray (Patti) Geske, and Mary (Gale) Smith.
 
Ed grew up and attended elementary school in Lima Center, WI, later graduating from Whitewater High School. He married Virginia Hitchcock in 1962 and began dairy farming for the next 10 years. He then grew into the construction of homes and businesses for the next 50 years, able to do anything connected to the job, learning and perfecting his trade as he went. Ed married Linda Wadsworth in 2006, and they worked side by side building a relationship through strenuous work, cooking, travel, and family gatherings.
 
Ed’s hobbies included vegetable farming and was famous for his entire family processing/freezing gallons of home-raised sweet corn. Fishing up north in Wisconsin and Canora, Ontario were favorites, and later, traveling throughout the United States and Canada with Linda were eye-opening to the fantastic scenery seen. Many winters were spent in Green Valley, AZ for a few months with Arlene and Dick Trewyn.
 
Ed is survived by his wife, Linda; children, Brenda (Bill) Holz, Robert (Dawn) Geske, and stepson, Barry (Sara) Wadsworth. Grandchildren are Justin (Andrea) Geske, Billy (Maddy) Holz, Jerott (Kayla) Holz, Jada (Mack) Miller, Ashlyn, Brielyn, and Ivy Wadsworth, and Ethan and Lily Kendall. Great grandchildren include Sawyer, Maybelle, Liam, and Abigail Geske, Mason Ed Holz, plus numerous nieces and nephews.
 
A visitation will be held at First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater, WI on June 28, 2025, from 10:00 AM until the time of the memorial service at 11:00 AM. Nitardy Funeral Home in Whitewater will also be serving the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made out to First English Lutheran Church.

Irv A. Madsen, 86, Whitewater, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, March 02, 2025.

He was born in Askov, MN on May 20, 1938, to Ludvig and Augusta Madsen.

Irv graduated from Amery High School in 1956 and received his Bachelor’s Degree from UW-Whitewater in 1960 and his Master’s Degree from UW-Madison in 1965.  He began his career teaching Business Education at Milton High School and then moved to UW-Whitewater to become the Director of Admissions for 42 years.  During his time at UW-Whitewater he coached Women’s Softball, announced Football games for 50 years and was “the voice of the Warhawks,” as well as announced basketball games.

He married Sandy (Fisher) Madsen at 1^st English Lutheran Church in Whitewater on August 6, 1960.

Irv loved golfing, playing tennis, riding his bicycle, playing cards with friends, and sports!  He loved his Wisconsin Teams – the Bucks, Brewers and Badgers, but most of all, he “bled” Purple for his UW-Whitewater Warhawks! 

He is survived by his 3 daughters, Jodi (Jim) Stoppenbach, Terri (Brad) Stallings, Cyndee (Kent) Kelsey, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, brother Mel, sisters-in-law Karen Fisher, Pam Fisher, Sandy Madsen, Nancy Madsen, Eleanor Madsen, Barb Madsen, Pat Madsen, Shirley Madsen and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sandy Madsen, his parents, and 6 other brothers.

The family is so grateful for “Team Irv”!  The excellent care from Nicole Gosh, Jim Mildenstein, Nikki Mildenstein, Allison Seitz and all of the past caregivers (Evie, Jackson, Nellie, Mary Kay, Vicki and Steve) and best friends Marilyn and Jack Albrecht is so very much appreciated!

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025 from 1:00-5:00 pm at the Coulthart Pavillion located outside the Perkins Stadium on the UW-Whitewater Campus.

Memorials may be given to 1^st English Lutheran Church, UW-Whitewater Athletics or the Madsen Family Scholarship at UW-Whitewater (Select “Madsen Family Endowed Scholarship” from the drop down) or Rainbow Hospice in honor of Irv. We would also like to thank Rainbow Hospice and Nitardy Funeral Home for their assistance and care.

Faith Ann Hansen, 83, passed away on the evening of Monday, May 19th at Alden Estates in Jefferson, Wisconsin. She was born on April 20th, 1942, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the daughter of Donald Hansen and Doris (Ceel) Hansen.

Faith graduated from Brookfield Central High School. Following high school she married Clarence (Bud) Hansen, Jr. and owned and ran the Twin Oaks Inn bar in Little Prairie, WI. Faith then worked at the Lakeland Nursing Home for over 30 years, while there earning her nursing degree from MATC in 1992. She was a member of First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater and volunteered there in retirement to help with the thrift shop and to counsel those on hospice. She also volunteered at Capabilities Day Program for disabled and mentally ill adults, teaching sewing and cooking classes.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Todd; and brother, Scott. She is survived by her husband, Clarence (Bud); daughter, Tracey Hansen; sons: Troy Hansen and Tyler Hansen; daughter-in-law, Susan Hansen (Todd); siblings: Chris Griep, Joy Hansen, Tom (Lesia) Hansen, Michelle (Scott) Hansen, 12 grandchildren: Jaimie, Jennifer, Abby, Ryan, Katelyn, McKenzie, Addison, Eliza, Kassity, Karlye, Carsyn, and Camdyn; and 22 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at First English Lutheran Church, 401 W. Main Street, Whitewater, WI 53190, on Saturday, June 7th from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 12:00 Noon.

In lieu of flowers, Faith asks that donations be made to the Lauderdale LaGrange Rescue and Fire Department.

Ann S. Eckert, 85, of Port Charlotte, FL, died on Monday, April 7, 2025, at Advent Hospital in Port Charlotte, FL. She was born in Madison, WI, on October 16, 1939. Ann was the only child of Clifford and Virginia Peterson.

Ann was married for 65 years to Rev. Jerry Eckert. They had two children, David and Karen.

Ann was a 1957 graduate of New London High School and earned her BS degree at Texas Women’s University in Denton, TX, in 1961 with a major in home economics education. She taught a year in Seagoville, TX, and a part of a year in Beloit, WI. She earned a Masters Degree in College Administration at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1984. She was Associate Director of Records at the University of New Orleans (1985-1990) and Registrar at Carroll College, Waukesha, WI, 1990-1995. The Eckerts both retired in 1995 and returned to the New Orleans area. To care for her mother, they moved to Port Charlotte, FL in 2003 where they lived until entering a life care facility in 2022.

Ann enjoyed music, playing the clarinet, piano, and guitar; playing in high school and university pep bands; participating in bell choirs; and singing in church and community choirs.

She grew up in the Methodist Church in Montfort, WI. She had to change her membership many times as a pastor’s wife but was able to have significant time in the United Methodist Church (UMC) of Whitewater, WI; Aldersgate UMC in Slidell, LA; and Gulf Cove UMC in Port Charlotte, FL.

Ann is survived by her husband Jerry; her son David, his wife Sachiko, and grandson Enzo; her daughter, Karen, her husband Peter Jest, and granddaughter Elise who is married to Michael (MJ) Carvan; and many caring friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents Clifford and Virginia Peterson.

Instead of flowers, the family invites everyone interested to send a donation to the Morton Cure Paralysis Foundation (5021 Vernon Ave S, MN 55436, or MCPF.org) in her memory. Also, Ann understood how others might send a donation to a charity of their own choice in her name. She would have been honored by that gesture as well.

There will be a graveside service on August 2, 2025, at 3:30 pm for family and friends at Hill Crest Cemetery, Montfort, WI, followed by lunch and visitation at the Cottonwood Supper Club, 4716 Green River Road, Fennimore, WI. RSVP to aj_eckert@hotmail.com or to Rev. Jerry Eckert, 23013 Westchester Blvd. #358, Punta Gorda, FL 33980.