Dawn L Wielgus

Wielgus, Dawn Louise (Michaelis) OREGON -- Dawn Louise (Michaelis) Wielgus, age 50, passed away suddenly on Friday, April 24, 2015, at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison due to a pulmonary embolism. She was born in Waterloo, Iowa, on July 14, 1964. Dawn grew up on the east side of Madison and later in Crown Point, Ind., where she graduated from high school in 1982. She married the love of her life, Ed Wielgus, on Sept. 14, 1985. Dawn was the center of every gathering and the life of every party. People were drawn to her, seeking her out for friendship, advice and, most of all, laughs. No story about Dawn is complete without the incredible tale of how she and Ed met. She was 14, and Ed, a farm boy from St. Anne, Ill., was 19 but both fudged on their ages. By the time Dawn's parents figured out Ed was five years older, he was already a member of the Michaelis family. Ed waited patiently for seven years for Dawn to turn 21 so they could marry. They would have celebrated their 30th anniversary this September. Dawn's favorite role was raising her son, Brian, and daughter, Eileen, and being a grandmother to three: Jack, Maura and Braxton. She was also a much sought-after professional. Dawn was lured from job to job because of her expertise in software quality assurance. She worked for Short Elliott Hendrickson, Opgen, Shopbop and two stints at Widen, where she was working at the time of her death. She enjoyed bowling and cards, board games and political discussions. Dawn loved to attend family gatherings and hosted many of them at their home in St. Anne, Ill., and later Oregon. Numerous young people counted Dawn as their second mom. She is survived by her husband, Ed; their son, Brian Wielgus and his wife, Theresa, and their children, Jack and Maura, of West Allis; her daughter, Eileen Wood and her husband, Bryan, and their son, Braxton, of Madison. Dawn is further survived by her father, Don Michaelis of Oregon; siblings Debbie Nagel of Oregon, Dee (Andy) Hall of Fitchburg and Mike (Susan) Michaelis of Lake Bluff, Ill., along with their children. She also leaves behind several aunts and uncles, cousins and many friends whom she considered family. Dawn is also survived by her brother- and sisters-in-laws: Butch Cain, Marge (Dennis) King, Joe (Betty) Wielgus, David (Christine) Wielgus, Betty (Ed) Wilson, Jim Wielgus, Hobart (Joan) Wielgus, and their children. She was preceded in death by her cherished mother, Janice Michaelis; her dear in-laws, Edward and Martha Wielgus; sister-in-law Josephine Cain and Ray DuMontelle, one more love of her life who was like her second son. In honor of her mother, who lived for eight years with a transplanted heart, Dawn's passing provided the gift of life to others. Memorial services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m., on Friday, May 1, 2015. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., on Thursday, April 30, 2015, and from 9 a.m. until the service on Friday. Those wishing to donate in Dawn's memory may do so through The March of Dimes or The Wisconsin Donor Network. Dawn was the center of the world for so many people who are now heart-broken. Special thanks to the Madison emergency responders and doctors and nurses at St. Mary's who tried so hard to keep her with us. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Monona Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420