Wanda Williamson

MADISON - Wanda Virginia Williamson, age 95, of Madison, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 7, 2025, at Capitol Lakes Assisted Living. She was born on November 3, 1929, in Bonnie, Ill., the daughter of Clyde and Gladystein (Johnston) Williamson. She was comforted in passing by the presence of her children and the compassionate care of Brighton Hospice.

Married in 1952 to Robert W. “Bob” Giese, Wanda and Bob raised four children during their 27-year marriage. In 1960, the growing family moved to the Dutch island of Curaçao in the Caribbean where Bob was art director for a newly opened television station. While there, Wanda and Bob developed and performed the children’s tv show “Once Upon a Windowsill.” Wanda, performing as “Tante Max,” read a bedtime story to her neighbor, “Benny,” a puppet operated by Bob. After two years on the island the family returned to Madison. The family re-established roots in Madison, where Wanda got busy establishing a business, raising the family, and supporting the growing Unitarian church. Wanda took great pride in her children's accomplishments.

Having an active professional life was a huge part of Wanda’s identity. Through her own tenacity, intelligence, and strong will, she overcame the limitations of her humble beginnings to be the first in her family to graduate from university. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from UW-Madison in 1953 and a Master’s degree in Public Administration in 1982. Wanda had a varied professional life, from working for the University of Wisconsin in the 1960s and 70s, first as a computer programmer and later as a budget planner, to owning a furniture franchise in the 80s and 90s.

Wanda blazed trails both literally and figuratively. A staunch advocate of progressive values, she spent many years in leadership positions for the First Unitarian Society of Madison and the League of Women Voters and volunteered with many other causes. Wanda loved being in nature, be it clearing the brush in the family woodland near Mazomanie, biking in France, canoeing in the Boundary Waters, camping with Sports for Active Seniors, or walking in the UW Arboretum.

In her final years, Wanda excelled at gratitude. She appreciated that she was not in any pain, that her needs and wants were taken care of, and that her children and grandchildren were happy and secure. At the end of her long and adventurous life she increasingly appreciated simple pleasures.

Wanda is survived by her children, Laura (William) Johnson, Martha (Marc) Vallon, Allen (Gayle) Giese, and Diana (Charles) Hendricks; and nine grandchildren, Allison, Sarah, Caitlin, Thomas, Eliciane, Andrew, Paige, Eric, and Lucas. She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Gale Williamson, Neil Williamson, and Wayne Williamson; and her ex-husband, Robert W. Giese.

Wanda will be laid to rest with an intimate gathering at Natural Path Sanctuary in Verona, Wis. Her family requests that anyone wishing to honor Wanda’s memory perform an unsolicited act of kindness toward another. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Unitarian Society of Madison (fusmadison.org/offering), League of Women Voters of Wisconsin (my.lwv.org/wisconsin/support), or Capitol Lakes Foundation (yourclfoundation.org/donate). Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761