Mazel Ruth Walder

MADISON - Mazel Ruth "Mickey" Walder, age 80, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 28, 2006, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on Oct. 31, 1925, in Madison, the only child of Henry and Millie (Cornwell) Olson. Upon graduating from Madison East High School in 1943, she went to work for Cuna Mutual. She was married to Warren Henry Walder on Sept. 20, 1947 and divorced on May 2, 1971. Mickey will be remembered as a warm, loving and generous mother, devoted grandmother and loyal friend. A life-long Madison resident, Mickey had a strong faith and had affiliations with many churches and loved to sing in the choir. Mickey had a wonderful sense of humor and liked to laugh. As a child she developed a love of books, music and movies, interests that continued throughout her lifetime. She was a sharp bridge player, enjoyed traveling and her friends. Mickey worked for the state of Wisconsin for 10 years and retired in 1991, after which she developed an insatiable appetite for crossword puzzles. The joys of her life were her grandchildren and her many friends and Voss Haus neighbors in Middleton, where she resided for 20 years. One of her proudest moments was being awarded the 1997 Middleton Good Neighbor Award for her volunteer work as a driver for the Middleton Outreach Ministry. Her last year and a half were spent living in her daughter, Diane's northside home, where she found peace and serenity through backyard nature. Mickey was in every way a child of God. May her loving spirit rest in eternal peace and comfort in the arms of angels. She is survived by her children, Doug Walder (Elissa Speizman) of Oak Park, Ill., Diane Walder of Madison and Denise Walder (Roark McCune) of Stoughton; and four grandchildren, David and Sam Walder of Oak Park, and Devon and Amara McCune of Stoughton. She was preceded in death by her former husband, Warren Walder, in 1998. The family enormously appreciates and thanks the friends, neighbors and volunteers who provided support and help with Mickey's care. God bless you Bonne Carlson, Fran Bridge, Carol Aehl, Ginger Gostomski, Bernie Grota, Sarah Kidd, Ann Longua and Alice Szweda of the St. Peter RespiteCare Team and Bev Tilloch of Catholic Charities; Independent Living volunteers Melissa Rach and Mary Bister; Elizabeth Allman and Olivia Gendreau; Elaine Meszaros and Chris Kucera; Anita Martin, Sal Gilbertson, Pearl Kusche, Elsie Long, Gladys Schoenberger, Rob Gibson, St. Luke's Lutheran Church; Amy Elske, Northside Senior Center; Claudia Miska, Middleton Outreach Ministry; Jan Nardiello, HospiceCare, Dr. Elizabeth O'Brien, Jeff Rutherford; and the staff of St. Mary's Care Center. A memorial gathering will be held at ALL FAITHS FUNERAL CHAPEL, 4058 Lien Road, Madison on Friday, Aug. 4, 2006, at 1 p.m. Memorials may be made to Middleton Outreach Ministry, Catholic Charities or St. Luke's Lutheran Church. She was deeply loved and will be deeply missed.