John Imhoff

Imhoff, John MADISON/MONONA-John Imhoff, a lifelong resident of the east side of Madison and Monona, died on Monday, April 13, 2015. He was 91. He was born on May 10, 1923, in Dodgeville, Wis., the oldest son of Ben and Lena Imhoff of Highland. When John was age 2, the family relocated to Madison, where he attended East High School and became a charter member of the “Gas House Gang”, a small group of adventurous teenagers, whose core membership included Tom Conkey and future Dane County Coroner Bud Chamberlain. He spent World War II as a Baker Third Class on the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Suwannee, and survived the first Japanese kamikaze attacks during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October, 1944. The U.S.S. Suwannee earned thirteen citations for battles fought in the Atlantic and Pacific. John married the love of his life, Lorraine Duckert, a nursing student from Cottage Grove, in December, 1944. They were married for 68 years before Lorraine passed away in September, 2013. They raised seven children. For 38 years John worked as a meat cutter at Oscar Mayer. When he retired he went fishing and enjoyed puttering and entertaining friends at the family cottage on the Wisconsin River near Muscoda. John had a passion for current events, good conversation, and the Green Bay Packers. Despite a limited formal education, he continued to learn throughout his life. John was an avid newspaper reader, and never stopped being intellectually curious. He was an active member of the Catholic parishes he belonged to; first St. Bernard, then St. Dennis, and finally Immaculate Heart of Mary in Monona. His faith was very important to him. John went on many retreats to the New Malleray Abbey in Iowa, and spent many hours baking krumkake and rosettes for the IHM bake sales, and popcorn for bingo nights. John is survived by seven children, John of Seattle, Wash., Jerry (Rachael Boland) of Enfield, Conn., Bill (Pat) of Monona, Wis., Tim (Rachel Dietz) of St. Louis, Mo., Ed of Wichita, Kan., Theresa (Doug) Wagner of Madison, Wis., and Charles of Seattle, Wash.; and eight grandchildren, Mike Imhoff, Joe (Sara Tekula) Imhoff, Dan Imhoff, Laurel (Matt) Braverman, Eric (Racheal) McDermott, Donna Wagner, Grace Wagner, and Bee Cha. John is also survived by three and a half great-grandchildren, Ella Imhoff, Emma Braverman and Baby Ian Braverman due in July, and Henry Imhoff; sister-in-law, Emy Imhoff; and many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorraine; brothers, Robert and Bernard (Barney); and sister-in-law, Edith. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH at 11 a.m., on Saturday, April 18, 2015, with a luncheon to follow. There will be a visitation at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., on Friday, April 17, 2015, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Agrace HospiceCare. The family would like to express a very special thanks to the staff at Heritage Senior Living, especially Laura, and Agrace Hospice staff and volunteers (especially Lish and volunteer, Mike). Their care, compassion and support has been a blessing. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420