Ann Chen Cedergren

Ann Chen Cedergren

September 06, 1949 - January 12, 2026

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Obituary

MADISON - Ann Chen Cedergren, age 76, passed away on Monday, January 12, 2026, at her home in Madison. She was born on September 6, 1949, in Tainan, Taiwan, the daughter of Po Chen and Jua Yu. As a child, her family moved to I-Lan and later to Nantou.


Ann attended Sacred Heart School for Women in Taipei for both high school and college, graduating in 1971 with a B.A. in English Literature. In 1972, after teaching English in the Taipei school system for a year, she came to the United States to attend the University of Wisconsin-Stout, where she earned an M.A. in Audio-Visual Communication in 1974. During her time at Stout, Ann met Chuck and their lifelong journey together began. In 1975, Ann and Chuck moved to Madison to continue their education and in 1979 Ann earned an M.A. in Library Science.


Beginning in 1980, Ann’s professional career was spent primarily as an HR specialist with the State of Wisconsin Department of Corrections, from which she retired in 2004. Throughout her life, Ann was focused on her family and worked tirelessly to help them pursue education and establish their lives in the United States.


Ann is survived by her husband, Chuck; their son, Matthew (Linlin) of Santa Clara, Calif.; three brothers, Chung-Yuan (Chu-Chin) Chen of China, Daniel (Koshyan) Chen of Las Vegas and Steve (Yuah-Ling) Chen of Arcadia, Calif.; and two sisters, Chung-Nan (Chiao-Chen) Chen of China and Chung-Hsing Chen of Madison. She is also survived by her brothers-in-law, Dave (Carrie) of Madison, Tom of Appleton and Pete (Barb) of Green Bay.


Ann is further survived by her nieces and nephews: Li-Ren (Zhang-Yang) Chen and Li-Yue (Ma-Lie) Chen of China; Meng (Fen-Li) Lyu and Hsiao Meng (Hsiao-Feng) Lyu of China; Brian (Kristin) Lee of Madison; Sherman (Elizabeth) Carll and Timothy (Deborah) Carll both of Chicago; Andrew Chen of San Francisco and Sara (Mitch) Chen of Seattle, Wash.; Brandon (Helen) Chen of Portland, Ore., Michael Chen of Arcadia, Calif., Fernando (Joyce) Chen of Aubrey, Texas; Julia of Minneapolis; Charlie, Edward and Henry of Appleton and Tyler (Haley) and Preston of Green Bay.


Ann was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Chung-Ho and Chung-Fu; and brother-in-law, Charles Carll.


A celebration of life will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2026.


The family thanks her doctors at UW Health and the compassionate staff of Agrace Hospice for the exceptional care Ann received for nearly four years including Toni, Michelle, Jen, Breanna, Jennifer, Siandra, Marsahra, Delisha, Nina, Elizabeth and many others.


In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761


Events

24
Celebration of Life
Sat Jan 24, 2026 @ 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM CDT
Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care • 7435 University Ave., Middleton, WI 53562
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Ann
AC
A Memorial Tree was planted for Ann Chen Cedergren
Other •
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Gunderson Funeral Home - Middleton
HL
Helena Lau
Other •
I remember Ann as a sweet, kind, and giving big sister. Back in college at Stout, she treated me home cook Chinese meal, to comfort me (a poor girl away from home, missing my grandma’s cooking in Hong Kong). I have to say, her green pepper with pork stir fried was better than any restaurants. Ann was an amazing accomplished lady, both domestically and professionally. I am honored to be her friend. I want to celebrate her life with an orange candle, representing her vibrant and joyful spirit. I love you Ann. Please give Grace a hug for me. 😘😘
ME
Mary Erickson
Other •
I worked with Ann at DOC. She was such a kind person. She was always working, always smiling. I loved making her laugh! My condolences to her family ❤️ Mary Erickson
MB
Mark Bradley
Other •
I painted the exterior and interior of Ann and Chucks home a number of years ago. Ann is one of the most hospitable, gracious, welcoming individuals that I have ever met in my life. I was made to feel like part of their family. Chuck, my sympathy extends to you and your entire family Mark Bradley
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Marcia Griskavich
Other •
I first met Ann when we were both in Library School at UW. We met a couple of years later when we were both pregnant and going into LaMaze classes. We shared babies born around the same time. I extend my heartfelt sympathy to Chuck and Matthew on the loss of this kind and gentle soul.
RB
Rodrigo Barahona
Other •
I met Ann and Chuck about 20 years ago when I became a student in Wisconsin. I had just come from Costa Rica, and being far from home, it was a wonderful blessing to meet them during my early years in the U.S. I also had the privilege of getting to know Chuck’s parents, Paul and Ione, who quickly became like family to me. They were incredibly caring and welcoming, and as someone from a foreign country with no family nearby, their kindness made the harsh Wisconsin winters much easier to endure. On occasion, they even offered me a room to stay when I was traveling between Marinette and UW-Green Bay. Over time, Chuck and I grew to reflect the values of Paul and Ione—caring, respectful of other cultures, and generous—and they, too, became my family. I will always cherish the wonderful times and conversations I shared with Chuck, Ann, and Karl (their cousin) over the meals that Ann and her sisters so lovingly prepared. Those dinners were filled not just with delicious food, but with thoughtful, intellectual conversations. As a young student and English learner, I tried to absorb as much as I could from those moments, and they shaped some of my fondest memories in the U.S. Ann’s warmth, generosity, and kindness touched everyone who knew her, and I feel deeply grateful to have been part of her life. She will be dearly missed, but her spirit and the memories we shared will always remain with me.

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