MADISON - Rachel (Pertzborn) Caruso, age 98, died peacefully at UW Hospital on Friday, March 6, 2026, from a stroke. She graduated from Central High School and St. Mary's Hospital School of Nursing. After graduation, she worked in OB at St. Mary's and then at the Mohs Clinic at UW Hospital for 38.5 years, retiring in 1988. In 1951, she married John Caruso who preceded her in death.

Rachel lived at Waunakee Manor for the last three years of her life. She met wonderful people there, many of whom became her dear friends. Her best friend, Donna Miller, and she did everything together: Bingo, making crafts, dressing up for holidays and of course watching Wheel of Fortune and all Wisconsin sports on TV. She was extremely active right up to the end of her life.

Rachel is survived by her two sisters, Alice Wilcox and Barbara Bougher; and sister-in-law, Doris Caruso. She is also survived by two very special nieces, JoAnne Bradley and Mary Lou Lottes, who she was very close to, and many other nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, Adolph and Hedwig (Koch) Pertzborn; sisters, Esther and Margaret Pertzborn, Dorothy Jafferis and Cathy Waters; parents-in-law, Rosalia and Anthony Caruso; sisters-in-law, Mary, Gayle and Carmella Caruso; and brothers-in-law, Sal and James Caruso, Tom Jafferis, Jim Waters, Jim Wilcox and Bill Bougher.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at CATHEDRAL OF ST. BERNARD PARISH CENTER, 2438 Atwood Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, with Father Michael Radowicz presiding. Visitation will be held at the cathedral from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Wednesday. A graveside service will follow the Mass at Resurrection Cemetery, 2705 Regent St., Madison on Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary's Hospital Alumni Scholarship Fund or Cathedral of St. Bernard Parish Center.

Rachel was a wonderful person and was loved dearly. We already miss her!

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

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Rachel R. Caruso

February 10, 1928 - March 06, 2026

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