COTTAGE GROVE - Agnes Marie Newton, age 92, passed away Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg. She was born March 30, 1930, in South Wayne, Wis., to Edward and Lola (Curran) Crotty.

At the age of 16, Agnes and her family moved from a farming community in southwestern Wisconsin to Madison. In a short time after completing high school, Agnes grew to know Madison and its appeal through work and new friends. She much enjoyed what the city offered throughout her life.

Agnes graduated from Madison East High School in 1948. She married Roger Newton on Feb. 7, 1953. Up to the birth of her first born, she worked in the capitol for the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs.

Agnes was selfless and resourceful, intent on the family’s needs. In raising five kids, she valued and looked forward to connections made with great people, including years of rapport with the same physicians and orthodontist, and friendships with neighbors and church families. While the kids were still young, she spent late evenings meticulously making clothes only from Simplicity patterns with carefully selected fabrics, finished with attractive notions. She enjoyed preparing delicious family dinners. Her grandchildren will always remember her brownies.

Agnes made time as a neighborhood steward collecting for the American Cancer Society annual drive. She served on school and church committees, taught catechism, participated in 4-H, and was a Cottage Grove Lioness member for many years. For relaxation, she enjoyed maintaining her flower gardens, finding new recipes in the Madison newspaper, visiting small town dress shops and furniture stores, having outings with friends and extended family, watching the late-night shows, following politics, and doing some travel abroad. Her demeanor was most often reserved and modest, yet she possessed a veiled mischievous wit.

In Roger’s retirement years, Agnes and Roger enjoyed many retiree gatherings, various reunions, trips south or west, visiting cousins, seeing neighbors, and times with the grandchildren.

Over her lifetime, Agnes well knew God’s grace and the hope it instills for a glorious eternal life.

Agnes was preceded in death by her parents; husband; siblings, Morris Crotty, William Crotty and Mary Messenger; sister-in-law, Mardell Crotty; and son-in-law, Michael Kellogg.

Agnes is survived by a son, George; daughters, Julie (Dan) Hartung, Mary Newton-Kellogg, Janis (David) Schneider and Lisa (Dale) Franke; grandchildren, Heather Surana, Courtney Hyzer, Nicole Herfel, Lori Newton, Tom Newton, Melissa Reithmeyer and Lauren Franke; 12 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Harry Messenger; and sister-in-law, Dorothy Crotty.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. PATRICK CATHOLIC CHURCH, 434 N. Main St., Cottage Grove, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022. Visitation will be held at the church prior to the Mass, starting at 9:30 a.m. Friends and family who wish to view the Mass via LIVE STREAM may do so by visiting Agnes’ obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com and clicking the Watch Webcast link.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested for St. Patrick Catholic Church. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Agnes Marie Newton

March 30, 1930 - July 28, 2022

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