Martin Zupan
April 01, 1948 - January 01, 2016
Obituary
Fitchburg/Monona-Martin Zupan, age 67, of Fitchburg, passed away on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016, while visiting Lincoln, Neb. He was born on April 1, 1948, in Waukegan, Ill., the son of Martin and Harriet Zupan. He married Kathleen Horn on July 25, 1980 in Ellsworth, Wis. Marty earned a bachelor's degree in English from Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Ill., and a master's degree in counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He worked as a therapist at the Mayo Clinic and the Kettering Medical Center, and for many years he managed the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program at the former Mental Health Center of Dane County. Although retired, he continued his professional career as a therapist in private practice. Marty had a gift for understanding and assisting people with their personal struggles. In his free time, Marty enjoyed biking, hiking, traveling, music, and spending time with family and friends. He was an avid biker, logging over 12,000 miles since his retirement in 2010. Marty is survived by his wife, Kathleen, Fitchburg; sons, Alexander (Raychal) of Lincoln, Neb., and Nicholas of Eau Claire; grandchildren, Claire and Jack; sister, Katherine Zitt of Oshkosh; brother, Bruce (Mary Anne) Zupan of Delafield; sister, Judith (Richard) Strittmatter of Santa Fe, N.M.; and nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Harriet Zupan; and niece, Christine Strittmatter. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL HOME, 2950 Chapel Valley Rd., Fitchburg at 1 p.m., on Friday, Jan. 8, 2016, with Father John Norder presiding. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Monona. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016, and from noon until the time of the service on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for a bench to be purchased in Marty's name to be placed along a bike trail in Madison. The way his family felt about Marty is reflected in a phrase he often spoke to each of us: "Remember that there's no one else in the whole wide world just like you." Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Fitchburg
Funeral & Cremation Care
2950 Chapel Valley Road
(608)442-5002
Events
Visitation
Thu Jan 7, 2016 @ 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Fitchburg • 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711
Visitation
Fri Jan 8, 2016 @ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Fitchburg • 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711
Service
Fri Jan 8, 2016 @ 1:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Fitchburg • 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711
Photos
No photos of Martin have been shared yet.
Memories
RY
Roger Young
Other •
I am so sorry about the passing of a very good man. He was a support to me during a rough time in my life and helped me in several ways. I know he will be missed by many.
I wish you, his family, all the comfort and grace that you will need during this difficult time.
Go with God Marty and thank you for your life and the way you shared of yourself with family and friends..
Until that time......
Roger Young
PB
Pete Bailey
Other •
Marty saw himself and others objectively. He gave by raising a mirror so others could better see themselves. And with his laughter, mostly at himself first, he gave others the space to be themselves, too. That unique humanness will be sorely missed.
Not a sibling, but truly a brother, Marty's early departure leaves a big hole in my heart. But I know that his strength of character was shared and given to family, friends and all who knew him. Thank you for being who you are. A best friend, Pete
MM
Marjory J Munson
Other •
My deepest sympathy to Marty's family and friends. I worked with Marty for many years at the Mental Health Center and enjoyed his humor and good nature. There were so many times when I had reason to especially appreciate the almost invisible efficiency with which he worked.
AJ
Art and Sue Jordee
Other •
Our thoughts are with you in this time of sadness.
Art and Sue Jordee
AH
Aaron Halstead
Other •
It is truly a shock to hear of Marty's passing. We enjoyed many soccer games together from the sidelines when Nick and Stuart were kids. Please accept the Halstead family's deepest sympathies. Aaron and Odulia Halstead.
AF
amy foley
Other •
Kathy and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept huge fat hugs and our deepest sympathies.
Amy Belle and Jack Foley