MADISON- John Anton Stauffacher, age 89, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, at Sylvan Crossing Fitchburg. He was born on Sept. 12, 1932, in Darlington, the son of John and Maybelle (Amenda) Stauffacher. He was united in marriage to Catherine Carey on Aug. 22, 1959, in Mineral Point, Wis.

John graduated from Darlington High School in 1950 and then joined the U.S. Navy for four years from 1950-1954. He graduated from UW-Platteville in 1959 and then began his teaching and coaching career. “Coach” taught at St. Gregory’s High School in St. Nazianz from 1959-1964 and Queen of Apostles High School in Madison from 1964-1978. He taught biology, introductory science and agriculture and coached football and basketball. John retired in 1978 and started his next career in building Exel Inn Motels with his brother, Dave and family. He retired from Exel Inns to do all of the things he loved to do.

John loved bowling at Dream Lanes with his MARBA friends and golfing with his MARGA friends. He was an avid Chicago Bears fan and loved watching the Wisconsin Badgers football and basketball games. John went to church daily and prayed the rosary. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren.

John is survived by his wife of 62 years, Catherine; children, Marcia (Robin) Goldberg, Greg (Cheryl) Stauffacher, Kara (Scott) Hellenbrand and John Stauffacher; grandchildren, Megan and Reid Goldberg, Drew (Kari) Stauffacher, Katlyn (Cole) Jones, Payton and Brooklyn Hellenbrand, and Mia and Alex Stauffacher; great-grandchildren, Jordee and Deacon Jones; brothers, David (Pat) and Paul (Kate); sister, Mary Steiger; in-laws, John and Mary Schmitz, Ruth and Eugene Pascoe, Ron and Judy Scullion and Barbara Hill; many nieces and nephews and other family members. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Gerald (Marcella) and Peter; brother-in-law, Terence Steiger; and in-laws, Dale Carey, Joanne (Frank) Zaffino and Helen (Francis) Basting.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022. Family and friends who wish to view the Mass via LIVE STREAM may visit John’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com and click on the Live Webcast link at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Tuesday. A private burial will take place at Highland Memory Gardens.

Memorials may be gifted in John’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association or St. Dennis Catholic Church. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

John Anton Stauffacher

September 12, 1932 - January 22, 2022

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