March 21, 2019
Obituaries
Stoughton Courier Hub
Mary Ann Fischer
Mary Ann Fischer
Mary Ann Fischer, a gracious and joyful spirit, always proud of her Irish heritage left this world on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2019. She was born on May 21, 1957, to the late Earl and Marion (Cheadle) Fischer, of South Beloit. Ill. Mary was the youngest of three sisters and the youngest of the cousins and thoroughly enjoyed the status of adored baby. Although she was born with Down syndrome, she always dreamed big and lived life with joy and enthusiasm. Mary had an idyllic childhood in south Beloit, surrounded by family and friends. She attended Riverview School and worked at Barbara Olson Center of Hope in Rockford. Mary moved to Stoughton in 1998, where Community Living Connections (CLC) whose mission is to assist people to live their best lives, supported her. She worked at the MARC-Stoughton and the Stoughton Visitor’s Center. On her first day in Stoughton, she met Connie, her roommate, and they quickly became best friends. Mary enjoyed fashion, jewelry, dancing, musicals, traveling, spending time with her friends and family and, in her words, “just having fun.” She was the star of the movie, “This is My Sister,” directed by Frank Caruso of Oregon. Mary was a model for the Waisman Center’s All Abilities Fashion Show for many years. She was a member
Dr. Jeffrey McBride Everson
of Holy Mother of Consolation Catholic Church in Oregon. Mary’s sweet, cheerful presence will be deeply missed by her sisters, K a t h y ( Te r r y ) D a u c k of Brooklyn and Nora (Emery) Johnson of Rockton; nephews, Ben (Kate Utphall) Dauck and Chris Dauck; great-nephews, Weston and Archer Dauck; great-niece, Iris Dauck; several cousins; her best friend, Connie Morgan; and her dog, Sammy, who she shared with her sister, Kathy. The caring staff of CLC will also miss Mary, as she thought of them as family and they embraced her with love. She is preceded in death by her parents; and aunts and uncles. The family would like to thank the staff of Agrace HospiceCare, who helped her gently leave this world in her own home, as well as, the staff of MARC-Stoughton, who supported and cared for Mary. To her caregivers at CLC, who constantly worked to help Mary live life to the fullest, please know how much her family appreciates your care and friendship to us and to Mary. Special thanks to CLC staff Mary and Acacia, who spent many extra hours with Mary the last few months. A celebration of Mary’s life will be held at Gunderson Stoughton Funeral and Cremation Care, 1358 Hwy. 51 N at Jackson St., Stoughton, from 4-6 p.m., on Thursday, March 21, 2019. There will be a private graveside service at East Lawn Cemetery in Beloit, where Mary will be laid to rest next to her beloved parents. Thank you to Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care for their care and assistance.
Dr. Jeffrey McBride Everson
We regret to announce the sudden death of our brother Jeff, age 67, which occurred on February 23, 2019, in Los Angeles, Cali. In Los Angeles, he is survived by his partner and long-time friend, Karen Koumas and his ex-wife and long-time friend, Cory Everson. In Wisconsin he is survived by his brothers, Greg, Todd and Mike. He also leaves behind four nieces – Britt, Rachel, Mya and Maren. Jeff was born on October 12, 1951 to Gertrude (Anderson) and Edor Everson, who preceded him in death. As a young boy, living in Viroqua, Jeff was fascinated with television strongmen portrayed by mythical heroes including Sampson, Hercules and Tarzan. In the summer, passersby would watch in amazement as Jeff wrestled
Joann Zelm
Joann Zelm
Gunderson Stoughton Funeral & Cremation Care 1358 Hwy. 51 N at Jackson St. (608) 873-4590
Joann Patricia Zelm, age 84, of Stoughton, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 15, 2019, at Agrace HospiceCare after a brief illness.
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on the lawn with imaginary opponents. He never lost a battle. As a twelve-year old, now living in Stoughton, Jeff’s bedroom soon filled up with stacks of muscle magazines. His favorite was a publication called Iron Man, which featured really big men lifting a lot of weight. In the seventh grade he received his first set of barbells and his lifelong dedication to exercising with them began. Soon the basement filled up with stacks of iron weights and, of course, more stacks of magazines. As a Stoughton High School senior, Jeff set new distance records in both the shotput and discus throws. In 1969, Jeff enrolled at UW-Whitewater, where he excelled in track, setting records in the shot put, discus, hammer and javelin throws. After graduating from Whitewater with a degree in english, Jeff enrolled at the UW-Madison. In 1973 he was hired by the university as a strength and conditioning coach to help improve the football and wrestling programs. In the early seventies, Jeff began organizing and competing in Olympic and powerlifting events held throughout the Midwest. By the end of the decade, he had earned championship status for power and Olympic lifting in his weight class. His Olympic lifting records were held for eleven
years. In 1979 Jeff set a Wisconsin state record in the hammer throw of 180 feet. In 1980, Jeff moved away from the heavy weights to focus on bodybuilding. In 1981, he won the National USA Championships in the heavyweight division. At about this same time, he began training with Cory Kneuer, who was attending the University on a track scholarship. According to Jeff, “she had all the right stuff” for competitive bodybuilding. They began competing in “mixed pairs” bodybuilding contests throughout the Midwest. Together winning contest after contest, they soon set the standard to which all other couples aspired to. In 1982, Jeff and Cory were married. This same year Jeff was named Big Ten strength coach of the year. Jeff completed his education at the UW with a master’s degree in physical therapy in 1983. In 1984, Jeff and Cory moved to Los Angeles. Jeff went to work for Weider Enterprises, publishers of several muscle building magazines. Within a year he was promoted to Editor in Chief. During this same time period, Cory entered her first national Ms. Olympia contest for female bodybuilders. Under Jeff’s training guidance, she won her first contest and then went on to win the title five more years in a
row. No other woman has achieved this heralded status. In 1985, Jeff received his Doctorate Degree in Exercise Physiology from Pacific West University. In 1986, Jeff set a national bench press record, in his weight class, of 560 pounds. In 1988, Jeff hosted a television show called, “TN 2000” on fitness and nutrition which aired for thirty minutes once a week for over ten years. In 1992, at the age of 41 Jeff won the National Masters Bodybuilding Competition in the heavyweight division. In 1999, Jeff launched his own magazine titled, “Planet Muscle.” This endeavor was his true masterwork as it combined his love for the English language and the weight lifting world. At its peak the magazine had over 200,000 subscribers resulting in a national following. In 2014 Jeff retired, ending “Planet Muscle” publication. Jeff led a big inspired life, setting and achieving many goals. Throughout his lifetime, many persons were touched by his wisdom, humor and generosity. To the end he remained dedicated to improving lives through weight training and the adoption of a healthy lifestyle. Rest in peace Jeff. You were truly a remarkable man. A tribute to his life will be held for close friends and relatives in April in Los Angeles.
She was born on Nov. 7, 1934, in Davenport, Iowa, the daughter of Robert and Marie (Moeller) Larkin. Joann graduated from Augustana College with a Bachelor of Art Degree in History. She married Alan Zelm on Aug. 20, 1960, in Davenport. She was a member of Christian Chiropractic Association Auxiliary. Joann enjoyed traveling, reading, puzzles and genealogy. She loved being a big part of the Zelm Chiropractic Clinic as she considered all of their patients as her friends. She and Alan enjoyed many mission trips, making friends all over the world. She will be remembered as a selfless, loving
person with a deep faith. Most important to her was her role, as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Joann is survived by husband, Dr. Alan Zelm; daughter, Dr. Ann Metzler; granddaughter, Louisa (Greg Probst) Zelm; 2 grandsons, Kurt Zelm and Caden Metzler; and many extended family members. She was preceded in death by son, Dr. Mark Alan Zelm; father, Robert Joseph Larkin; mother, Marie Moeller Larkin; and brother, Kenneth D Larkin. Funeral services will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, 700 County Hwy. B, Stoughton, at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 21, 2019,
with Pastor Paula Geister-Jones presiding. Burial will be held at Graves Cemetery with a luncheon at the church to follow. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until time of the service on Thursday. Memorials may be made to the Dr. Alan and Joann Zelm Scholarship Fund. Joann’s family would like to thank all of their friends and family for their loving support these past weeks and Agrace HospiceCare for the incredible care given to Joann and our family. Online condolences may be made at gundersonfh.com.
Mary A. Christenson
a strong work ethic at a young age and enjoyed raising her children on a farm. She was a talented sewer and enjoyed creating crafts. Mary was HGTV before it was HGTV. She enjoyed traveling and had wonderful opportunities to see many states and enjoy the cultures that each could offer. Mary is survived by her son, Erik (Jessica) Christenson; daughter, Sarah Moran; grandchildren, Owen and Ivan Christenson and Belden, Afton and Evelyn Moran. In keeping with Mary’s wishes, no services will be held. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
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Mary A. Christenson, 74, Oregon, passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2019, at Oregon Manor. She was born on June 15, 1944, in Prairie du Chien, the daughter of Rosella (Copus) Miller. Mary was a loving mother and grandmother, with fierce independence, who took great pride and joy in caring for her family. She was a very proud supporter of the Norwegian Dancers. Mary developed
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