Obituaries

Bryan Nelson, age 84, of Janesville, passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2019

Bryan Nelson, age 84, of Janesville, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 1, 2019 at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg, WI.  Born in La Grange Park, IL to the late Marvin and Naomi (Paulson) Nelson.  Having lived around the southern Chicago area before moving to Crown Point, IN, the family settled in Whitewater, WI in 1952. Bryan graduated from Whitewater High in 1954 and attended college in Whitewater as well.  He was soon drafted into the United States Army and completed his obligation later to return home and start his plumbing apprenticeship and receive his Masters of Plumbing while working for LeRoy Kepp.  Bryan met his future wife and his love to the very end, Joan (Harris), while bowling at The Hawk Bowl in Whitewater.  They were married on July 8, 1961. Together they built a life around raising their family and running Bryan’s plumbing business, first with his brother in-law, Bob, in Ft. Atkinson in 1968 and then on his own in Orfordville and in Milton/Janesville, before retiring in 1997.

Bryan Nelson

Bryan is survived by his wife, Joan Nelson; and their children: Tracey Fox of Janesville, Terry Nelson of Marshfield, MO, Brent (Susan) Nelson of Janesville, and Toni (Steve) Rowley of Brodhead; grandchildren, Nicholas and Sarah (Dillion Woollums) Rowley of Brodhead, Catherine and David Nelson of Janesville; great grandson, Weston Rowley; sister and brothers, Sherry Plucinski, and Jeffrey and Wesley Nelson; along with in-laws, Tom and Barbara Dosemagen, Rod and Linda Sandleback, and Jeanette Milleson; long-time friends, Larry Williams and Paul Kulinski; and many extended family members and friends.

Bryan is preceded in death by his parents; mother and father in-law, Lyle and Catherine Harris; siblings, Dale Nelson and Karen Dinsmore; brother in-law, Robert Plucinski; and son in-law, Thomas Fox.

We would like to give our upmost gratitude to Agrace Hospice in Janesville and Fitchburg for all of the love and support they’ve offered and a special thank you to Amy Olson and Erika Schultz for all of their love and help they provided to Bryan at home.  Without any of them he would have never been able to stay at home for as long as he did.

A celebration of Bryan’s life will be held from 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 14, 2019 at the Schneider Funeral Home Life Celebration Center, 1800 E. Racine Street, Janesville.  Schneider Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com

Judson Michael “Jud” Lowry, age 66, of Appleton passed away on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019

Judson Michael “Jud” Lowry, age 66, of Appleton passed away after a brief illness on Monday, August 12, 2019, at University Hospital-Madison, with his family at his side.  Jud was born on May 25, 1953, the son of the late Robert and Marjorie (Cox) Lowry in Janesville.  He was raised in Janesville and attended Janesville Parker High School. He had three children while living in Janesville, two daughters, Jennifer and Jessica and a son, Adam. In 1999, he married the former Brenda Berg in Whitewater. They made their home in the Fox Valley and had one child, a daughter, Logan. He had numerous jobs in his lifetime, but sales engineering became his passion, finishing his career at Kenrich Industrial/EMS of Waukesha where he worked for the last 20 years, retiring in January of 2018.

Judson Michael “Jud” Lowry

An avid sports fan, Jud enjoyed his Packers and Brewers as well as Nascar. He was thrilled to watch his son, Adam play baseball and even coached him in his younger years.  Not always a fan of basketball, he became Logan’s biggest cheerleader during Wisconsin Flight AAU tournaments and at Appleton East High School.  Harley and snowmobile trips with friends were a favorite activity as well as camping with their fifth wheel over the last few years. 

Judson is survived by his wife, Brenda and daughter Logan of Appleton; daughter, Jennifer (Ken Richards) Lowry and their children Alexis, Morgan and Evan; daughter, Jessica Garrido and her children Austin and Mia; son, Adam Lowry of Appleton and his children Noah and Luke; brother, Jeff Lowry of Edgerton and his children, Amber (Mark) Warmke and Ashley (Ken Schuur) Lowry; brother, Josh (Deb) Lowry of Janesville; mother and father-in-law, Rod and Donna Berg of Whitewater; and sister-in-law, Sandra Miller of Fitchburg; as well as great-nieces and nephews. Jud was predeceased by his parents, Bob and Marj of Janesville; brother, Matt of Edgerton; and brother-in-law, Matt Miller of Fitchburg.

The family would like to thank the medical care team at Appleton Medical Center ICU, especially nurses Cassie and Kim as well as nurse Katie in the TLC unit at UW Hospital for their kind and compassionate care.

A family celebration of his life will take place at the ELKS LODGE, 2100 N. Washington St., Janesville, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Fitchburg
Funeral & Cremation Care
2950 Chapel Valley Road
(606) 442-5002

Lynton M. Piatt, age 90, longtime resident of Whitewater, passed away on August 19, 2019

Lynton M. Piatt, age 90, long-time resident of Whitewater, WI, peacefully passed away at St. Therese Care Center, New Hope, MN on August 19, 2019.

Lynton M. Piatt

He was surrounded by those he loved and who loved him. He lived a long life, and more importantly the life he wanted. He loved old movies, travel, gardening, listening and dancing to music (genre Nate King Cole and Big Band sounds) and owning a pet, but mostly being with family and friends. He served proudly in the United States Air Force and was a Professor of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for over 24 years. We will always remember his love of laughter, silly jokes, and his huge heart.

Survived by wife of 66 years, Mary Kay (Jacobs) Piatt; children, Pam (Larry) Hansen, Julie (Richard) Enerson, Tim (Heidi Sonnenburg) Piatt and Darcie (Richard) Payne and grandchildren who were so special to him: Breanna, Cassandra, Justin, Chelsey, Kajsa, Olivia, Malina, Seth, and great-grandchildren Quinn and Tristan. He also leaves behind his little dog, Oliver.

Celebration of Life at St. Therese Care Center, New Hope, MN on Sunday, September 15th. Interment at a later date in Whitewater, WI, where the family will have another gathering for those who knew him.

Dale Edgar Bornick, age 80, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 17, 2019

Dale Edgar Bornick, age 80, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 17, 2019.

Dale Edgar Bornick

Dale is survived by his children; Janet (Mike) Bennett; Glen Bornick; Scott Bornick; stepson Wayne (Andrea) Graham and family; grandsons Jacob and Brady Bennett; brother Gary (Mary) Bornick and family; Sister-in-law Sherry Bornick and family.

Dale is preceded in death by his wife Amy; parents Elmer and Mildred Bornick; sister Nancy and brother Wayne Bornick.

Dale’s happiest moments were spent growing old with his wife Amy and spending time with his family and friends. Life is only worth living if you are with those you love. His last wish was to be reunited with his wife Amy. May his wish be granted. We will miss you both.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 23, 2019 in the Kratz Funeral Home-Portage (www.kratzfuneralhome.com) 302 E. Conant St., Portage, WI. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m.

Burial will follow at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Portage.

Jean L. Steinhoff, 88, of Palmyra, Wisconsin, passed away on Sunday, August 18, 2019, at UW Hospital

Jean L. Steinhoff, 88, of Palmyra, Wisconsin, passed away on Sunday, August 18, 2019, at UW Hospital.

Jean L. Steinhoff

Jean was born May 1, 1931, in Pleasant Valley, the daughter of Albert and Edna (Lundt) Emery. She grew up in rural Jefferson County and was a 1949 graduate of Palmyra High School. Jean married John Steinhoff on September 16, 1950, at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Eagle. The couple enjoyed 37 years of marriage until John’s death in 1987.

Jean worked in the lunch program at Palmyra Elementary School. She was the Friday night fish fry hostess at the Nite Cap Inn for many years and later the Cornerstone Restaurant. She enjoyed seeing her regular customers each week and hearing about their families. 

Jean enjoyed gardening and was proud of her colorful flower gardens. She also enjoyed decorating her home for every holiday, especially covering her Christmas tree with angels. Her front porch was always decorated with lights for the season.    

Jean was a long-time member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Palmyra. She served as a Parish Council member and was a member of the St. Mary’s Women’s Club. Over the years she baked countless desserts for parish events.

The most important thing in Jean’s life was her family. She was a loving wife, mother, grammy, and great-grammy. She loved baking cakes for birthdays, weddings, and graduations. She hosted the entire family for holidays and always made an assortment of delicious desserts. Jean’s recipes will live on as her grandchildren make delicious food from her hand-written cookbooks which she gifted them. She made sure her family and friends received a Hallmark card for every special occasion. Jean was a caring, thoughtful, and determined woman. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren miss her dearly.

Jean is survived by three children, Bonnie (Glen) Schaefer of Fort Atkinson, Steven (Linda) Steinhoff of Palmyra, and Susan Mehring of Fort Atkinson; seven grandchildren, Michael Steinhoff, Juliana (Timothy) Gebhart, Alex (Emily Bralick) Mehring, Benton Steinhoff, Jonathan (Laura) Schaefer, Eric (April) Mehring, and Lacey Mehring; a great-grandson, Connor Gebhart; six step-grandchildren; ten step-great-grandchildren; a special sister-in-law, Janice Emery; and a special cousin, Sister Ellen Shannon. She is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, a brother-in-law, and friends.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John Steinhoff; her brother, Roger Emery; sisters-in-law Carol Foelker and Catherine Eaton; and a brother-in-law James Foelker.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2019, at Gibson Family Funeral Home in Palmyra from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 23, 2019, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Palmyra. Jean will be laid to rest on Friday at 3:00 p.m. at St. Theresa’s Catholic Cemetery in Eagle.

Memorials in Jean’s honor may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Palmyra in lieu of flowers.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff on D6 at UW Hospital for their compassionate care.

Gibson Family Funeral Homes of Eagle and Palmyra, WI is serving the family. To place an online condolence please visit gibsonfuneral.com.

Jim Coburn, 73, Whitewater, passed away on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at Fort Memorial Hospital.

James A. Coburn, age 73 of Whitewater, passed away from natural causes on February 7, 2018, at Ft. Atkinson Hospital surrounded by loving family.

Jim was born December 29, 1944, in Elkhorn, Wisconsin to Deane and Thusnelda (Kraeft) Coburn. Growing up in Whitewater as the youngest of three children, he was indulged and tolerated by his adoring parents and big sisters as he played basketball, performed barbershop quartet, and rode his motorcycle in the local quarry.

At St. Olaf College, Jim met Virginia (Ginny) Hanson. They married on June 24, 1967, after Jim graduated but before he could follow through on his plan of rafting down the Mississippi River. Jim and Ginny returned to his hometown, where he worked as a social worker for two years before joining the Coburn Company. His father and uncle quickly entrusted him with the company, and he devoted himself to growing it from a small mail-order dairy supply business to a worldwide distributor of dairy equipment and farm supplies.

As a boss, Jim was casual and approachable. He respected and supported his employees and was always available, using his social work training and listening skills to help whenever he could. He remained active in the company even after his sons assumed management, giving advice and opening the company mail until the day he died.

Jim loved Whitewater, serving on the City Council and Plan Commission for several years and, more recently, the Whitewater Community Foundation. He exemplified a caring community member with a global perspective. He loved to travel, combining business with family adventures all over the world. His favorite destinations included Baden Baden, Leipzig, and Puerto Rico, but wherever he went, his priorities were always music, fantastic food, and friends.

Jim also loved getting up early, giving gifts, Bach cantatas, public schools, Labrador retrievers, asking questions, trout fishing, exploring back roads, Trading Places (the movie), grilling by the pool, Friday night fish fry, sticky toffee pudding, Fiestaware and train rides, but most of all he loved his family. His proudest accomplishment was his seven grandchildren, who would always echo back his favorite parting words: “Peace, harmony, and the American way.”

Jim is survived by his wife, Ginny; son Thayer (Anne) Coburn; daughter Cara (Alex) Faris; son Joe (Jess) Coburn; grandchildren Aidan, Olive, Kate, Nola, and Langdon Coburn and Corinne and Odell Faris; sisters Karen (Joe Svec) Coburn and Nancy (Jerold) Lenz; niece Kirsten (Houkom) Hafner; nephews Joel Houkom and Sheldon Lenz; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Service will be held Saturday, February 17, 2018, at 3 PM at First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater, followed by a 5 PM reception at the Hamilton Room at the UW-Whitewater University Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Whitewater Community Foundation.

The Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater, WI is assisting the family. www.nitardyfuneralhome.com