MIDDLETON - Madeline (Pelletter Thiel) Laufenberg, age 88, of Middleton, passed away Dec. 27, 2023, after a brief illness. Born Oct. 19,1935, to Mathew and Anna Pelletter, Madeline treasured her upbringing in the Italian community of Madison’s Greenbush neighborhood.

She graduated from Edgewood High School in 1953, and then became the first in her family to attend college, earning an education degree from Edgewood College. She married Richard “Dick” Thiel in 1957, and they had four children. In addition to raising children, her life’s work was in education. She worked part-time at St. Bernard’s Parish school, and when her children were older, she began a career teaching kindergarten and second grade at Sauk Trail Elementary School in Middleton until her retirement in 1993. Civically engaged, Madeline read the newspaper every day, frequently wrote letters to the editor, and voiced her opinion as a regular caller on radio talk shows.

Following Dick’s passing in 1987, Madeline reconnected with Ray Laufenberg at a high school reunion, and they married on June 9, 1991. They enjoyed 30+ years together, traveling, grandparenting, volunteering at St. Mary’s hospital, and spending time in the company of friends.

Madeline is survived by her daughter, Jill (Karl) Markgraf; step-daughter, Lynne Hendee; son, Rick (Carolyn) Thiel; grandchildren, Casey (Patrick McIlhone) and Joseph Mysliwy, Karl and Alida (Carston Zacharias) Markgraf, and Jenna, Tyler, and Kyle Hendee; brother, John (Rose) Pelletter; and sister-in-law, Vicky Pelletter; many Pelletter/Pellitteri and Laufenberg relatives; and friends, including lifelong dear friend, Mary Ann Lynch.

She was preceded in death by husbands, Dick Thiel and Ray Laufenberg; children, Julie Mysliwy and Christopher Thiel; parents, Anna and Mathew Pelletter; and brothers, Joe and Tony Pelletter.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7450 University Ave., Middleton, at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. A visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Monday.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to WayForward Resources Food Pantry and Clothing Center or to one of the many other progressive causes Madeline supported.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 841-6761

Madeline Christine Laufenberg

October 19, 1935 - December 27, 2023

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