Toni Lynn Ward

STOUGHTON - Toni Lynn Ward (nee Kuntzelman), beloved mother, grandmother, sister and aunt of Stoughton, Wis., was born on January 13, 1949, in Rockford, Ill., and passed away peacefully on March 6, 2025, at the age of 76 at her son’s home in Hudson, Wis., after a One and a half year fight with small cell lung cancer. She is survived and deeply missed by her loving son, Sean (Ruth); grandson, Noah; step-granddaughters, Laura (Tim) Blair and Ashley Schumacher (Kyle Bongard); step-great-grandchildren, Tristan, Lillian, Jace and Gianna Blair; incredibly dedicated brother, Lee Kuntzelman; unfailingly faithful sister, Meg (Erick) Otten; sister, Lisa (John) Petrolo; nephew, Taylor (Holly) Kuntzelman; niece, Sarah “FN” (Mike) Bilsie; nephew, Austin Ferrell; great-nephews, Dougy Parsons and William Kuntzelman; sister-in-law, Sharon (John) Halliday and many friends. Toni was preceded in death by and is now joyfully reunited with her husband of 52 years, Richard; son, Ryan; grandson, Alec; parents, Robert and Ellen (Petty) Kuntzelman; brother, Ron Kuntzelman and dear friend, Diane Royce.

Toni married Richard Ward in 1970 and together they created a family and home filled with faith, love and laughter. Toni was a caring, devoted mother to her sons, Sean and Ryan, who were not only her pride and joy but also her greatest treasures. Toni, Richard and the boys loved to go on adventures together, often just picking a direction with no particular destination, and set off to make some memories.  The family always had dogs, primarily Briards, which brought Toni great joy. She made many good friends and gained valuable knowledge within the Briard breeding and dog show community. She traveled with family and friends to many dog-related events including several National Briard Specialties, and even Europe to bring home a dog. Toni was a talented crafter who created beautiful needlework pieces and home decorating projects, and most recently became an avid quilter. She and Ruth loved to go to quilt shops together and took two fun-filled trips along with Ashley to Hamilton, Mo. (Quilt Town USA) to attend memorable quilt retreats. She liked to watch movies, HGTV shows, quilting tutorials and Project Runway, and loved to play 500 with her family. Toni worked throughout her career in primarily administrative support roles and retired in 2024 from WPS Health Solutions.

Sean, Ruth and Noah wish to especially acknowledge and thank Lee and Meg for their constant, unwavering support during Toni’s illness. They are also grateful to St. Croix Hospice (Baraboo and Hudson teams) for their excellent, compassionate care.

A celebration of Toni’s life will be held at GUNDERSON STOUGHTON FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 1358 Highway 51 N. at Jackson St., Stoughton, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2025, with a memorial service at 4 p.m. Please join the family to share memories, food and fellowship. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Stoughton

Funeral and Cremation Care

1358 Highway 51 N. at Jackson St.
(608) 873-4590