Virginia Oosterhous (mother of George Oosterhous)

Posted 6-20-05
(Note: the following obituary appeared in the Wisconsin State Journal on June 16, 2005. Virginia Oosterhous was the mother of classmate George Oosterhous. Thanks to Diane (Doherty) Fiore for providing the initial information. Chuck Radke)

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Oosterhous, Viginia Gillingham

MADISON – Viginia Gillingham Oosterhous, age 91, of Madison, passed away on April 29, 2005, at Oakwood Village West. A memorial service will be held for Virginia on Tuesday, June 21, 2005, at 2 p.m., at the RESURRECTION CHAPEL of OAKWOOD VILLAGE WEST, 6165 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI 53705. Virginia’s friends are invited to share their memories of her. According to Virginia’s wishes, she had a private family funeral near the farm where she was born in Gillingham, at Pratt Funeral Home, Richland Center, and interned in the Gillingham family plot in the Fancy Creek Cemetery, Gillingham, on May 1, 2005.

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Just For Laughs

IF YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND LIFE…JUST ASK THE KIDS!!

A three-year-old boy went with his dad to see a litter of kittens. On returning home, he breathlessly informed his mother, “There were 2 boy kittens and 2 girl kittens!” “How did you know?” his mother asked. “Daddy picked them up and looked underneath,” he replied. “I think it’s printed on the bottom.”

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On the first day of school, about midmorning, the kindergarten teacher said, “If anyone has to go to the bathroom, hold up two fingers.” A little voice from the back of the room asked, “How will that help?”

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A wife invited some people to dinner. At the table, she turned to her six-year-old daughter and said, “Would you like to say grace?” “I wouldn’t know what to say,” the girl replied.
“Just say what you hear Mommy say,” the wife answered.
The daughter bowed her head and said, “God, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?”

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After the church service a little boy told the pastor, “When I grow up, I’m going to give you some money.” “Well, thank you,” the pastor replied, “but why?” “Because my daddy says you’re one of the poorest preachers we’ve ever had!”

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When I was six months pregnant with my third child, my three year old came into the room when I was just getting ready to get into the shower. She said, “Mommy, you are getting fat!” I replied, “Yes honey, remember Mommy has a baby growing in her tummy.” “I know,” she replied, “but what is growing in your butt?”

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Reeanne (Finnegan) Grans

Posted 11-08-05 (The following obituary was taken from the Capital Times/Wisconsin State Journal website 11/01/05 listings. Reanne was a member of the Class of 1960, but is remembered by many Madison West Alumni outside of her class – Chuck Radke

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Grans, Reeanne

MADISON -Reeanne Finnigan Grans died on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2005. She was a lifelong resident of Madison. Reeanne graduated from West High School and attended Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn. She was employed by the state of Wisconsin at the Oregon School for Girls and as a rehab counselor for the visually impaired for more than 27 years. Reeanne was a member of the Madison Civics Club and Bethany United Methodist Church. She enjoyed working on the class reunion committee and having lunch with her WKOW television friends. Reeanne was very caring and generous to her family and friends. She is survived by two brothers, Stephen (Mary) Finnigan of Windham, Maine, and Arthur (Lois) Finnigan of Independence, Iowa; seven nieces and nephews, Carrie, Stephen (Jenni), Shanda, Mindy (Ken), Jeff, Lisa and Paul; and many dear friends. A memorial visitation will be held from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. today, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2005, AT CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2, 2005, at the funeral home.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road 608) 238-3434 http://www.cressfuneralservice.com

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Former faculty member Joyce Steward’s obituary

Steward, Joyce
S.ELLENSBURG, WASH.
Joyce Elinor Stribling Steward, age 87, died on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2004, at the Kittitas Valley Health and Rehabilitation steward-2Center in Ellensburg, Wash. Joyce was born Jan. 16, 1917, in Paton, Iowa, to Oscar Burdell and Hattie May (Jones) Stribling. She attended Paton public schools; Stephens College in Columbia, Mo.; Iowa University, Iowa City; and Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa, from which she graduated in 1938. She received her Master of Arts degree from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, in 1951. From 1951 to 1964, Joyce taught English at West High School, Madison. She spent the 1961-1962 academic year at Yale University on a John Hay Fellowship. From 1964 until 1966, Joyce served as chair of the English department at Lafollette High School, also in Madison. In 1966, she joined the U.W.-Madison English department where she taught composition and an innovative women in literature course, and managed the university’s writing laboratory. She authored numerous English textbooks and was active in several professional organizations, notably the National Council of Teachers of English. She retired from the University of Wisconsin in 1982 and moved to Port Madison on Bainbridge Island, Wash., where she continued to write, co-authoring a book for elder writers and lecturing through a program of the Washington Commission for the Humanities. In 1999, Joyce moved to Ellensburg, Wash. to be close to family. During her eighties, she published a book of her poetry and taught classes for senior citizens. Joyce is survived by a son, Chuck (Peggy) Steward of Ellensburg; a grandson, Derek (Kerry) Steward; greatgranddaughter, McKenzie Steward; and great-grandson, Cabot Steward, all of Seattle. She is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to the Ellensburg Public Library, 209 N. Ruby, Ellensburg, WA 98926, or the Bainbridge Island Public Library, 1270 Madison N., Bainbridge Island, WA 98110. A private family memorial service is planned. Burial will take place on Bainbridge Island. Steward & Williams Tribute Center of Ellensburg, Wash. is in charge of arrangements.

From Wisconsin State Journal, Sunday Oct 10, 2004 page D-11

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“Josie’s Supper Club”

7-20-04 – “Josie’s Supper Club” (formerly Jimmie’s Spaghetti House” burns down

IMG_8703

Posted in General News, Madison Related, News Clips, Nostalgia | Leave a comment