Life Events

Mary Shea Peters passed away peacefully on October 16, 2019 at Waukesha Memorial Hospital.  During her final days, she was surrounded by many family members who helped to care and comfort her as she made the transition to being with her Lord and Savior, as well as other loved ones, in heaven.

Mary was born in Dodgeville, WI on August 20, 1947 to Leone (Wiest) and James Francis Shea.  She graduated from Dodgeville High School.  She was married to Roger Flanagan for 26 years and was blessed with two children, Kari and Kathleen.  She married the love of her life, Ralph Peters, on March 5, 1997 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson, WI.  They were blessed with 22 years together until Ralph’s passing on October 3, 2019.

Mary pursued different careers throughout her life including legal assistant, real estate agent and executive assistant.  She is retired from WD Hoard & Sons.

Mary is fondly remembered for her strong faith, her love and enjoyment of her family, her close family ties and her dedication and loving care for her husband, Ralph.  Mary was proud of her Irish Heritage, enjoyed Irish Music especially the Irish Rovers and loved to collect family recipes.  Everyone loved Mary’s krispie treats.

Mary is survived by her daughters: Kari Flanagan of Mukwonago and Kathleen (Marc) Harris of Salem, South Dakota, her step-children, Ralph (Ilse) Peters Jr. of Fort Atkinson, Marian (Eric) Jacobsen of Menomonie, and Kurt (Rebecca) Peters of West Bend.  Mary is also survived by her brothers and sisters including Jim Kiley of Rowlette, TX, Janet McGuire of Verona, John (Diane) Shea of Barneveld, Pat Shea of Madison, Carol Higgins (Ken Laufenberg) of Dodgeville, Julie (Lyle) Farnsworth of Fort Atkinson, Mike (Sharon) Shea of Dodgeville.   Finally, she is survived by 15 grandchildren:  Amber, Allison, Kailey, Benedict, Kirsten, Nicole, Sarah, Shanna, Michelle, Amber, Brittney, Stephanie, Sean, Kellie, Katherine, 18 great grandchildren, her Godmother, Glady Starry, her Aunt, Margaret Wiest and her brother-in-law, Thomas Peters.

Preceding Mary in death was her beloved husband, Ralph Peters, her step-daughter, Debra Jean Peters, her parents, Leone (Wiest) and James Francis Shea and her grandchildren Faith, Michael, Joy, Hope, Andrew, Claire, Grace and Lucy Harris, sister-in-law, Myrna Kiley, brother-in-law, Paul McGuire, nephew, Paul James McGuire and her sister in law, Carol (Edward) Van Cleave.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1225 West Main Street, Whitewater, WI 53190 from 9 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  Funeral services will begin right after the visitation at 11 am. 

Memorials can be made in Mary’s name to the charity of one’s choice.

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

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

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 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.

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