Keith John Houlihan

MADISON- Keith John Houlihan, age 65, of Madison, died peacefully at Agrace HospiceCare on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born to Keith and Helen (Noble) Houlihan on Sept. 13, 1951, in Monroe. John was a 1969 graduate of Lancaster High School in Lancaster and attended UW-Platteville. He spent his formative years in Apple River, Illinois, a community which held a special place in his heart. As a young adult, John moved to Madison and made it his permanent home. He married the love of his life, Karen Nowak, on July 14, 1979. John was employed as a salesman for L&L Foods and loved working in the family atmosphere this company cultivated. He was also very fond of the many customers he met along the way. John's hobbies and interests included reading, gardening, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and golfing but his favorite pastime was being a father to his children, Beth and Danny and husband to Karen. Family was very important to him and he had a wide circle of siblings, in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins who were very dear to him. Those who lived in the area never missed the opportunity to attend his annual St. Patrick's Day Party or the Kickapoo canoe trips he and his cousin Kelly organized. John is survived by his wife of 37 years, Karen; his daughter, Elizabeth; son, Danny; his parents, Keith and Helen Houlihan; brother, Michael Houlihan (Patti); sisters, Susan Huxster (Peter), Mary Laczniak (Randy), Megan Houlihan (Paul Jewell) , Cara Houlihan; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL HOME, 2950 Chapel Valley Rd., Fitchburg at 6 p.m., on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday. The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the nurses, doctors, and staff that advocated and cared for John during his illness. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Fitchburg Funeral & Cremation Care 2950 Chapel Valley (608)442-5002