Louise E. Shafer-Upson
December 20, 1945 - December 27, 2018
Obituary
MADISON-Louise Elaine (Johnson) Shafer-Upson came into the world in Madison on Dec. 20, 1945. She graduated from East High School in 1964. Her brief marriage to Robert Shafer gave Louise the love of her life, her daughter Sheri Lynn. Louise moved to California where she met and married Barry Upson. With Barry, she traveled the world, stayed in the best hotels, and enjoyed life in the fast lane. Life was good to Louise… until it wasn’t. Her daughter, Sheri, developed cancer and passed away in 2016. Louise never recovered from the loss. She returned to the Madison area, eventually moving to Heritage Senior Living, where she passed away on Dec. 27, 2018. Louise is survived by her sisters, Doris Montague and Lynn (Dick) Mueser; brother, Robert A. Johnson (Mary McMurray); and three grandchildren, Jordan, Taylor, and Jacob Clement. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019, at HERITAGE SENIOR LIVING, 6234 Maywood Avenue, Middleton, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Events
Memorial Gathering
Tue Jan 15, 2019 @ 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM CDT
Heritage Senior Living-Community Room • 6206 Maywood Ave, Middleto, WI 53562
Photos
Memories
GH
Gunderson Funeral Home
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Shared a photo.
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DB
Diana Bennett
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I just saw this obituary today. My sincere condolences to Louise's family and friends. I met Louise in California after she married Barry Upson, MCA /Universal Executive Vice President. I worked in the Universal Studios' theme park division. Barry was the top guy and a bit intimidating. Then, there was Louise by his side at events. A cheeky sprite with a twinkle in her eyes. How her smile sparkled with mischief. I didn't know either Barry or Louise well until I lost my apartment in the 1994 Northridge, CA earthquake. San Fernando Valley had been ravaged. Our division also lost our North Hollywood headquarters. After I got everything out of my apartment and into storage, I went to help get equipment out of my work place. I left the office that day with no place to call home and no place to go to work the next day. I was crying in a friend's bathroom when my friend said I had a phone call. I couldn't imagine who was calling. Louise had asked around to find out if any employees needed a place to stay. She and Barry had moved to Santa Barbara and had a North Hollywood a condo staged for sale. It was Louise's idea to offer the condo to a displaced staff member as temporary housing. A work friend told them about me. That night, when I walked into the condo, I felt like a refugee who had been given a safe haven. What a lovely, healing place to land during the chaotic days after the quake. To this day, I am deeply grateful to vibrant Louise and her good heart. I pray Louise finds heaven as peaceful as I found her condo. Thank you Louise, God's speed.
JZ
Julie Zimmerman
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I loved Louise for her smile and infectious laughter alway made me smile. I met Louise while working for Universal Studios in California. I had only been working for Planning and Development a few days when I found myself stuck, in the middle of LA with a broken down car. Louise came to rescue and I remember thinking, "I just met her 2 days ago and she is jumping in her car to rescue me." That's the kind of woman Louise was. Bless you my darling, I will never forget you.
AM
Azi Melkonian
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I met Louise at Woodbury University in Burbank. We studied together at school and in my house couple of times, we immediately became close and would talk about everything. I had lost touch with her when she moved to Paso Robles, but have great memories of her, she was a very kind and worldly person and very sad to hear she left us so early. My heart is heartbroken to know that i will never see her again.