Crawford Funeral Home

05/23/2026

Ruth Stoltz

Ruth Gladys Stoltz, age 79 of Portage passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2026. Ruth was born on September 19, 1946 to Clarence and Madeline (Goodwin) Holden in Wisconsin Rapids. She was one of 19 children. Ruth married Jack Stoltz on November 11, 1995 in Dane and they were blessed with 20 years of marriage until his passing in 2015.

Ruth was an avid reader who enjoyed gardening, canning, making jams and salsas as well as jigsaw puzzles, crosswords and listening to classical and country music.

Ruth is survived by her two children: Shelly Vaught, her husband Tom, Stacy Horsfall, his wife Kim, as well as two granddaughters: Emma and Piper Vaught and step-granddaughter, Hayleigh Ackley and her fiancé Tyrique Dampier. She is also survived by her sisters: Marcella, Doris, Caroline, Karen, Rosemary and Linda and by her brother, Donald, along with many extended family members as well as Emily Bates who was like a granddaughter to her. She will be greatly missed by her faithful canine companion Bingo. She was also very close with the Amish community.

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Lutrell “Pinky” and brothers: Walter, Eudell “Junior”, Alvy, Raymond, Thomas, Jack, Russel, Jesse “Joe”, Lyle and Rodger.

A funeral service for Ruth Stoltz will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 12:00 PM at the Crawford Funeral Home in Montello. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the hour of service. Pastor Mike Vargo will preside and Ruth will be laid to rest next to her husband at Central Wisconsin Veteran’s Cemetery at King following the service.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to SSM Hospice, especially Ruth’s favorite nurses Daelen and Melonie, her favorite CNA Tiki and Dr. LoConte, and to Visiting Angels, particularly Ruthie, who all became an extension of the family for their compassionate care and support of Ruth and her loved ones. Their dedication made it possible for Ruth to remain in her home during her final days, fulfilling her greatest wish.

Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Montello and Oxford is honored to be serving the family. www.CrawfordFH.com

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05/22/2026

Robert Conrad

Robert “Bob” F. Conrad, age 70 of Montello (formerly of Mequon) passed away at his home on Friday, May 15, 2026. Bob was born on August 28, 1955 to Forrest and Ellna (Brunke) Conrad in Milwaukee. Raised in Mequon and he graduated from Homestead High School and worked construction for many years. Bob resided in Milwaukee until relocated in rural Montello in 2008.

Bob is survived by his son, Christopher (Shannon) Shepherd and grandchildren: Jasmine and Kai. He is also survived by two sisters: Ann Conrad-Schoemer and Diane (Peter) Stanich and his cousin, Kay (Tim) Daley.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Paul Schoemer.

No services will be held.

Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Montello and Oxford is honored to be serving the family. www.CrawfordFH.com

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05/20/2026

05/17/2026

Thomas Alex Stempniak

Thomas Alex Stempniak, age 82 of Montello, passed away on Friday, May 15, 2026 at UW Hospital in Madison following a car accident. He was born on April 25, 1944 at Saint Anthony Hospital in Chicago, IL to Alex and Valaria (Ball) Stempniak. Tom attended St. Ignatius Prep School and served his country with the U.S. Army in Korea. He married Carol Krentz at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Montello on February 27, 1971. Together they raised three daughters.

Tom was an offset printer in both Illinois and at Litho Productions in Madison for more than 30 years. He loved to show his classic cars and was known for his 1962 red corvette. He also loved to hunt and camp out west but most of all he loved his family.

Tom is survived by his wife of 55 years, Carol; three daughters, Dr. Angela (Philip) Femali, Amy (Jesse) Ruth and Andi Stempniak; four grandchildren, Alexander, Chloe, Joey and Kate; brother-in-law, Jim (Doreen) Kelly; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Maryanne; in laws, Ernest and Adelaide Krentz and brother-in-law, Kenneth Krentz.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Tom will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Montello with Father Savio Yerasani officiating. Inurnment with military honors will follow the Mass at St. John the Baptist Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Thursday from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. at the church.

Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Montello and Oxford is honored to be serving the family. www.CrawfordFH.com

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05/17/2026

Karen Edith Scott

Karen Edith (Peterson) Scott, age 61 of Montello, passed away on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital in Portage. Karen was born on May 27, 1964, the daughter of Ivan and Shirley (Larson) Peterson. She was raised in Madison and graduated from Madison East High School in 1982. Karen married the love of her life Ken Scott on June 4, 2005. Karen loved life, family, and spending time with her son John and his wife Hannah. She also loved embarking on many Caribbean cruises with Ken, restoring old wooden furniture into beautiful works of art, tinkering in her flower gardens and looking for treasures in thrift stores with her sister Cindy.

Karen is survived by her husband Ken of Montello, son John (Hannah) Yager of Janesville, step children Shaun Scott and Lindsay Pansier of Waupun, Todd Scott of Barlow, Kentucky, Moranda (Jason) Gamberini of Bowling Green, Kentucky, Tori Scott and Graham Puckett of Barlow, Kentucky, eight step grandchildren, her fur babies Bailey, Callie and Sadie, her sisters Sandy Rick (Chuck Wirth) of Madison, Cindy Butler of Montello, Rhonda (John) Alley of Madison, brother Kevin (Shirley) Peterson of Madison, many nieces, nephews and other family members. She was preceded in death by her parents and nephew Casey Alley.

The family would like to thank the staff of Agrace especially Stacy, Becky and Katrina for their compassion and gentle care throughout Karen’s illness.

A private visitation was held on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at Crawford Funeral Home in Montello.

Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Montello and Oxford is honored to be serving the family. www.CrawfordFH.com

View Karen Edith Scott's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

05/13/2026

Creating a pre-plan ensures that the unique way you lived your life is preserved - and that part of it can be worked into the ceremony!

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05/07/2026

Joseph Scudera

Joseph Dennis Scudera, age 84 of Montello passed away unexpectedly Sunday, May 3, 2026 at SSM Ripon Community Hospital. Joseph was born in Madison on January 10, 1942 to Dominic and Josephina (Tortorice) Scudera. He was raised in the part of Madison known as “The Bush” and proud of his deep Italian heritage. Joseph graduated from Central High School in 1960 and proudly served his country as a member of the National Guard. He was united in marriage to Nancy Nash in Madison on May 23, 1964 and together they raised their family in Madison. Joseph spent many weekends throughout his life in the Montello area and made it his forever home in 2000 when he retired after a 30+ year career at Webcrafters as a printer. He loved to garden and share the produce with his neighbors. Joseph and Nancy immensely enjoyed their annual trips to Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Lastly, he will be remembered as a great family man.

Joseph is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nancy and son, Joe (Brandee) of Hastings, MN as well as seven grandchildren: Amber (Rufus), Josh (Kaitlyn), Zach (Amber), Domenic (fiance, McKenzie), Bryce, Morgan (Luke) and Courtney along with ten great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his son-in-law, Mark Ritter and extended family in the Madison area.

In addition to his parents, Joseph is preceded in death by two daughters: Wendy Wanta and Gina Ritter.

Private services for Joseph will be held at a later date.

Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Montello and Oxford is honored to be serving the family. www.CrawfordFH.com

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05/06/2026

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04/29/2026

When you create a preplan with us, you’re not the only one that will be in our care. Your family will have us with them every step of the way through the entire process, offering comforting and caring support through one of life’s most difficult times.

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04/25/2026

Josephine Hall

Josephine “Jo” Mary Hall, age 91 of Montello passed away peacefully on Friday, April 24, 2026 at Silver Lake Manor in Wautoma. Jo was born in Milwaukee on November 7, 1934 to Norman Sr. and Hazel (Little) MacLeod. She married David Hall on June 7, 1975 in Arlington and settled in Montello in 2006. Jo enjoyed cooking, camping and fishing. She also looked forward to going out for dinner and trips to the casino.

Jo leaves behind her husband, David and daughter, Jerri Howe of Montello as well as step-daughter, Kristi Lange of Sun Prairie and step-son, Greg Hall of Weyerhouser. She is also survived by grandchildren: Dusty (Lindsey), Olivia, Gunnar, Jesse and Josh and great-grandson, Henry along with other extended family members.

Jo is preceded in death by her parents, step-father, Henry Trautman, step-daughter, Susie Frank, sister, Colleen (Bill) Baum and brothers: Rod McLeod and Norman (Patty) McLeod.

The family would like to thank all the staff at Silver Lake Manor and SSM Hospice for their care.

Honoring Jo’s wishes, no services will be held.

Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Montello and Oxford is honored to be serving the family. www.CrawfordFH.com

View Josephine Hall's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

04/22/2026

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