Raymond Cattanach

Raymond Cattanach

October 02, 1929 - November 06, 2022

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Obituary

MIDDLETON - Raymond Dale Cattanach, age 93, passed away Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Atlanta, Ga., where he resided the past year with his daughter, Marilyn. He was born on Oct. 2, 1929, in Marshfield, Wis., to Raymond and Freda Cattanach. Dale served in the U.S. Army from 1951 - 1953. In 1953, he married Alice Kier. They made Madison, Wis., their home after Dale graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1958.


Dale began his career at the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance in 1958 and became the first Director of the Legislative Fiscal Bureau in 1963. He went on to become Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and retired as State Auditor in 1998. Dale believed deeply in public service and received many awards from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), state and national chapters of public administration, and the Assembly Chamber of the Wisconsin Legislature. He served on boards and committees of NCSL, The Foundation for State Legislatures, Accounting Standards Accountability Council, Rawhide Boys Ranch, Inspiration Ministries, and United Asbury Methodist Church.


Dale was an avid outdoorsman, a lifelong hunter and fisherman with his brothers and nephews. His weekly phone calls to his father and brother, Craig, were legendary for their volume and cryptic vocabulary. Dale cherished his time at the family cabin and continued his lifelong enjoyment of the card game 500 online with children and grandchildren. He is remembered for his faith, deep loyalty, and generosity.


Dale is survived by his children, Marilyn of Atlanta, Ga., Sandy (James) Goetz of Wheaton, Ill., and Rexford (Lynn) Cattanach of Lake Elmo, Minn.; six grandchildren, Brian (Amelia), Michael (Jill) and Jonathan (Mary) Goetz, and Nathan, Sara and Seth Cattanach; four great-grandchildren; sisters, Margaret Piguet and Inez Halvorson; and dear friend, Judy. Dale was preceded in death by his wife, Alice; a son who died at birth; his parents; and brothers, Lyle, Wayne, and Craig.


A memorial service will be held at ASBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 6101 University Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Dale will be interred in Lincoln-Rock Cemetery in Wood County, Wis., two miles from the farm on which he was born.


Memorials may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831- 6761


Events

03
Visitation
Sat Dec 3, 2022 @ 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Asbury United Methodist Church • 6101 University Ave, Madison, WI 53705
Get Directions
03
Funeral Service
Sat Dec 3, 2022 @ 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM CDT
Asbury United Methodist Church • 6101 University Ave, Madison, WI 53705
Get Directions

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Raymond
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Brian Rude
Other •
Dale was such a classy public servant and a truly good friend to me and other legislators of both parties over his long career. As Senate President I relied on his advice and counsel particularly in legislative organizational matters. It was just a joy to visit with him, each and every time. My sympathy to his family in your great loss.
HN
Helene Nelson
Other •
Dear family of Dale Cattanach, Dale hired me at the Legislative Fiscal Bureau in 1972 and again as his Deputy Secretary of Transportation in 1977. He gave me opportunities as a young woman, in ways not common at that time. He taught me a lot, and helped launch my public service career. He did this for many people. That is another way he served the public good of the people of Wisconsin. Helene Nelson
JW
Jonathan Wolin
Other •
My sincere condolences to Dale’s family. He was a remarkable person. He was my first boss after grad school when he hired me at the LFB. He was brilliant and the consummate gentleman who had a profound influence on me personally and professionally.
MS
Martin J Schreiber
Other •
It is with admiration and gratitude I and so many others pay tribute to Dale. Integrity, inteligence, common sense, caring, class, professional, hardworking, a good man, our friend. His council was always trustworthy, always based on what was right rather than who was right. Those of us who knew and worked with Dale were so fortunate he was in our lives. There could be no finer example of one dedicated to public service.

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