Obituary: George Harvey Shands

MADISON/ VILLAGE OF SHOREWOOD HILLS - George Harvey Shands, age 68, died at the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center in Fitchburg on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2005, from complications associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He was the second child born to Ruebush G. Shands and Elizabeth (Henry) Shands on Sept. 16, 1937, at Madison General Hospital in Madison. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Joan (Bures) Shands. They met at the Memorial Union while students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and married on Aug. 13, 1966. He is also survived by his two daughters, Rebecca Shands of Denver, and Susan Shands of Madison; his brother, Henry (Katherine) Shands of Fort Collins, Colo.; his sister, Harriet Shands of Bradenton, Fla.; his brother-in-law, Kenneth (Madelon) Bures of Marblehead, Mass.; and his aunts, Jobelle Shands of Shorewood Hills, and Martha (Henry) Shirkey of Lawton, Mich. He is further survived by cousins, nieces, a nephew and many friends. George attended Shorewood Hills Elementary School and graduated from Madison West High School, Class of 1955. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in American history in 1963, followed by graduate work. He taught social studies, with a concentration in American history and psychology, for 30 years through the Madison Metropolitan School District. He was a teacher at Madison East High School for 27 years, and was proud of developing an innovative community issues program for seniors called "WalkAbout." George was a lifelong member of First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ of Madison, where he was baptized and confirmed. It was the most important institution in his life, where he served in many capacities: as moderator, on boards and committees, developing and interpreting the constitution and by-laws, researching and documenting the church's history, and singing bass in the church choir. George steadfastly believed what Reverend John Robinson said to the Pilgrims leaving for the new world, "More light and truth shall break forth from God's word." George had been a licensed amateur ("ham") radio operator for more than 50 consecutive years, operating under the call letters W9WUU. He resumed operating in earnest after his retirement in 1996, enjoying "DXing" and contesting. He was a member and served on the board of Four Lakes Amateur Radio Club (FLARC) and also belonged to the DX club. He enjoyed many close friendships through his involvement with ham radio. George was a longtime member of the Southern Historical Association and the Augusta Richmond County (Georgia) Historical Society. He took great pleasure in the pursuit of family history, and was entrusted with keeping many family photographs, portraits, heirlooms and stories. His genealogical work lead him to explore his Southern roots, writing and presenting papers on his findings. He spent much time visiting courthouses, genealogy centers, libraries and cemeteries to gather family information. One of George's great loves in life was music. He enjoyed listening to classical, opera, folk, jazz and bluegrass and attending live performances. He played the piano, trombone, dulcimer, banjo and sang, collecting many antique and unique instruments along the way. Fueled by his faith and a sense of moral duty, George was deeply engaged in the struggle for civil rights and social justice in the 60s and onward. He supported many worthy causes with his time, wisdom and generosity. George will be greatly missed by his devoted family and many wonderful friends. The family wishes to express its deepest gratitude for the care provided by the doctors, nurses, CNAs, ICMs, and support staff of Meriter Hospital and HospiceCare Inc. during his final days. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005, at 2:30 p.m. at FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 1609 University Ave., at Breese Terrace. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Congregational Church UCC or to HospiceCare Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711, or to the charitable organization of your choice. Cress Funeral & Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on November 11, 2005

Obituary: Marie Garness

MADISON - Marie Helen Garness was born Sept. 22, 1939, in Fond du Lac, the only child of Hart and Cecilia Urban Garness. As a child she studied music, playing the piano and cello. Her favorite was the trumpet, playing along with Harry James and Louis Armstrong records. She spent long happy summers on the family farm in Wild Rose, playing alongside her many cousins. She graduated from Goodrich High School in Fond du Lac, in 1957, and came to Madison to attend the University of Wisconsin. She was president of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and was involved with music and theater on campus, working for several years on Humorology, the student-produced comedy review. For Marie, being a teacher was not her job, it was her identity. Her first assignment as an English teacher was at Central High School in Madison. She considered it one of the happiest times of her life. Recently she attended a reunion of some of her Central High students. When Central closed in 1969, she transferred to West High, and then to Memorial High School, where she taught until her retirement in 1989. Everywhere she taught, she loved working on the staging and directing of musicals, working until she was exhausted on productions of Mame, Annie Get Your Gun, Pippin and many others. She brought her love of musicals and films to the classroom and introduced film units into the high school English curriculum. When she retired, Marie could still remember the name of almost every student she had ever taught. She adored movies of all kinds, but was especially fond of musicals. She was a long time devoted Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli fan. She loved crossword puzzles, cooking, gardening, basking in the sun, reading, especially mysteries, and floating in her swimming pool. She loved meeting new people and figuring out what made them tick. She enjoyed travel, though it was difficult for her, and had made several trips to New York City. She had planned many trips including the South Carolina sea islands and even China and Africa, but was never able to go. Marie had endured breast cancer and very proudly wore her seven year survivor pin. Her numerous friends, former students, fellow teachers and dedicated medical providers will remember the best things about her: the intense spark of her creativity, enthusiasm and wit, her generous nature, and her compassion and concern for others. Marie suffered her entire adult life with bipolar depression and other aspects of mental illness. Over time her illness made her world smaller and more difficult, made relationships with friends and family increasingly difficult, took away her ability to do things she loved and burdened her daily life with numerous obstacles. After a life long struggle with mental illness, she ended her own life on Sunday, Aug. 12, 2007. Many who knew Marie have said that they feel guilt or regret for not being able to help her, wishing they had done more. A fitting tribute to Marie would be to channel those regrets into something positive by helping out as you can, do a kindness for a friend, a neighbor or even a stranger. Friends, colleagues, and former students are invited to share in the celebration of Marie's life on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007, from 4 p.m to 6 p.m. at the OAKWOOD RETIREMENT CENTER - WEST, 5205 Mineral Point Road. Please enter the main entrance of the Heritage Building.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 23, 2007

Update: Notes from the celebration of Marie's life on October 3, 2007:


The photo on the left is a photo of some of the many photos of Marie's life and career as a teacher than were on display at the celebration of her life. I'll be adding some more photos from the display, as well as some photographs of some of the people who attended the celebration to the Central Alumni Flickr account.

Susan Brockett (Class of 1967) was unable to attend the celebration, but she did write something to be read on her behalf. I'm reproducing Susan's essay about Marie, since it certainly addresses the fond feelings she and many of her classmates had for a teacher who touched their lives in meaningful and unexpected ways:

Here I am, 43 years later, writing something because of Marie Garness. The former time is vivid for me.

Sophomore year. I wrote a piece on To Kill a Mockingbird, and I tried to do more than "enough", I tried to excel. Marie read it, perceived what I was trying to do, and told me I owed it to myself to work at my writing, but then she went a step further, as only she could have. She said that if a I wrote a journal, she would too, and we could compare. I was amazed and inspired – a teacher inviting me into the adult world, treating me as an adult, and expecting me to rise to the situation. I have no idea how many times I have told this story to people I have met, to give them an idea of what wonderful teachers I had, and Miss Garness was one of the best.

That was who Maudie Garness was for me – a teacher, but also a person – an adult who was willing to invite us, her students, into her world and treat us as adults. There are so many other memories:

• The times a bunch of us just stopped by her house on a Friday or Saturday evening…uninvited, just to say hi. And she invited us in, sat and talked, and treated us as she would any friends who stopped in.

• the play, where she was a central pivot of the whole team, teaching us the joy of creation, of teamwork and hard work, and the satisfaction of a job well done.

These are the pictures that come to min mind, as I try to share in your memorial, although I can't be there…

• Marie, standing in row 3, yelling "entrance stage right!", gesturing up at the stage in the old, dusty, brown auditorium.

• Marie on stage, playing jazz on her trumpet, with Mr. Schenk on the piano. Shocking us all that teachers could be so COOL.

• Marie laughing in her living room, at one of Sid Iwanter's routines.

…and Marie talking with us all a the reunion and picnic so recently, helping us retain a link to who we were 40 years ago, and maybe helping us see who we are now.

We must all acknowledge the pain she lived with and that caused her to decide that she had had enough,

But even more, we need to remember the life she lived, and the lives she touched.

– Susan Brockett (or as Maudie would say, Brocksy)

Obituary: Mariam (Cook) Lichte

WAUNAKEE/ LODI - Miriam Lichte, age 85, died Tuesday, June 5, 2007, at St. Mary's Hospital. She was born Feb. 15, 1922, to Cecil and Isabelle (Collins) Cook on Gastrow Road in the West Point Township. Miriam graduated from Lodi High School in 1938, then attended college in Whitewater for a year, followed by a year at Madison Business College. She worked in the office at Central High School until she married Ray W. Lichte, Feb. 19, 1944. They farmed on Quietdale Farm, three miles west of Lodi on Reynolds Road, until 1983, moving to Waunakee in 1989, when they sold the farm. Miriam was a sweet, unassuming woman with a quiet, peaceful demeanor. She loved her family and gave of herself without complaint. She was active in her church teaching Sunday school, serving as an elder and was a member of the Presbyterian Women's Organization. Miriam was known for her wonderful cooking, her hospitality and charity. Even though she had no musical talents of her own to speak of, she loved music and made sure that her children cultivated their musical talents and their love for music. Miriam believed in the importance of a good education and encouraged her children to make the most of theirs while allowing each of them to follow their own interests. Miriam is survived by son, Ed Lichte and his children, Stephanie (Doug) Goodsell, Tim (Larisa) Lichte and Marcus Lichte, all of Fort Worth, Texas; son, John (Wende) Lichte of Abuja, Nigeria and his children, Luke Lichte of Madison, Nikki Lichte of LaCrosse and step-daughter, Brandie (Tom) Wolff of Sheboygan; daughter, Judy (Dave) Kopp and their sons, Chris and Jordan, all of Waunakee; as well as special family member, Mark (Leisa) Heimbecker of Lodi, (who worked and lived with Ray and Miriam for 14 years) and their children, Clint and Carly. She is also survived by two step-great-granddaughters, Lucy and Amelia Wolff and sister-in-law, Florence Brown of Lodi and her children, Jim (Marcia) Brown, Linda (Herb) Damsteegt, Tom (Liz) Brown and Donna (Dave) Rimple. Miriam was preceded in death by her husband, Ray on May 20, 1999; by her parents; an infant brother, Robert; grandson, Andy Lichte; and brother-in-law, Roy Brown. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 9, 2007, at the FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH in Lodi, with the Rev. Gretchen Lord Anderson and Elder Marie Langeteig officiating. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, June 8, 2007, at the HAMRE FUNERAL HOME in Lodi, and from 10 a.m. until the services on Saturday at the church. The family suggests memorials to the First Presbyterian Church in Lodi. Hamre Funeral Home Lodi

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on June 8, 2007

Obituary: Frank C. Lindl

MADISON - Frank C. Lindl, age 85, died on Tuesday, June 5, 2007, at his home. He was born in Milwaukee, Aug. 30, 1921, the son of Frank and Julia (Wimmer) Lindl. He attended Riverside High School. After the attack on Pearl Harbor he volunteered to go into the U.S. Army. After training he was sent down to safeguard the Panama Canal and was the Post Sergeant Major for four years. After returning home he was among the G.I.'s who swarmed the campus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Frank earned his master's degree in art education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in 1949 and pursued a teaching career. He taught at Madison Area Technical College and was in the Madison School District for 39 years. He taught at Central High School, started the Art Department at Lafollette High School, was assistant principal at West High School and ended his career as Fine Arts Coordinator. Frank enjoyed coaching football, wrestling and tennis. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed sharing his produce with friends, family and neighbors. Frank was noted for his tomatoes, fruit trees, wine, cooking, picture framing and his humor. He was a founding member of St. Maria Goretti Church and Friendship Force of Wisconsin. Survivors include his wife, whom he married 60 years ago, Margo; his children, Dennis (Yvonne), Beth Lindl (David Drake), Barbara DeJongh (Kurt) and John (Cyndi); grandchildren, Bryan, Abbie, Rachel and Molly; and two sisters, Anita and Betty. He was preceded in death by two sons, David and Jamie. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5313 Flad Ave., Madison, on Friday, June 8, 2007, at 11 a.m. Monsignor Michael Burke will officiate with burial in Resurrection Cemetery. Friends and relatives may call from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the church on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to HospiceCare, Friendship Force of Wisconsin, St. Maria Goretti Parish and Parkinson's research. A special thanks to caregivers, So and Dave and all of the people at HospiceCare. Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home and Cremation Services 5701 Odana Road (608) 274-1000

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on June 7, 2007

Obituary: Ann Junginger

MADISON - Ann Junginger, age 83, of 1210 Seminole Hwy., Madison, died on Tuesday, January 3, 1984 at a Madison nursing home. She was born in Richland Center, Wisconsin on March 31, 1900. She was a teacher for many years with the Madison school system. Survivors include two brothers, Karl Junginger of Waterloo, and Adolph Junginger of Clinton, Iowa; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 6, 1984 at 2 p.m. at the SCHROEDER FUNERAL HOME, 3325 East Washington Ave., Madison. The reverend Norman Peterson will officiate. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Friends may call from 1 p.m. until the time of services at the funeral home.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 5, 1984; submitted by Jill (Gasdorf) Topper (Class of 1966), who says Miss Junginger taught her shorthand when she was at Central.