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

Ann Chen Cedergren

September 06, 1949 - January 12, 2026

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