Frank "Lud" J. Hlavac

Monona - Frank J. “Lud” Hlavac, age 90, passed away on Monday, Jan. 5, 2015 at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg. He was born on Nov. 12, 1924, in Castle Rock, the son of Wencel and Matilda Hlavac. Frank was united in marriage to Mary Jean Dochnahl on Nov. 25, 1954 at St. Mary’s Church in Platteville. After graduating from Platteville High School, he joined the U.S. Army in 1943 serving in the European Theater and was honorably discharged in 1946. In 2011, Frank like many of his WWII comrades, was honored for his service with a Badger Honor Flight trip to Washington, DC, an experience he thoroughly enjoyed. He attended UW-Platteville (formerly known as Platteville State Teachers College) where he and his future wife Mary Jean reigned as the 1948 Junior Prom King and Queen, he played four years of basketball and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in education graduating in 1949. He later earned his Master’s Degree at UW-Madison. He began his teaching and coaching career in Clinton, WI in 1949. After five years, he moved to Edgerton for one year and in 1955 became the first head basketball coach at the newly opened Monona Grove High School in Monona. There he remained coaching and teaching in the Industrial Arts Department until retiring in 1978. Coach Hlavac compiled an enviable win-loss record during his 29 years, was selected as Wisconsin High School Basketball Coaches Association “Coach of the Year” in 1970 and was inducted into WHSBCA Hall of Fame in 1979. Frank and Mary Jean retired from teaching in 1978 to devote full time developing their Angus beef cattle business at their Yahara Hills Angus Farm in the Town of Cottage Grove. For the next 30 years, they built an award winning herd including many champions and traveled all over the United States visiting Angus cattle ranches and attending shows. Frank or “Lud” as he came to be known, was one of a kind and will be remembered fondly as teacher and coach, soldier and businessman, prankster and friend and an easy entertainer among his colleagues and friends! Numerous former student athletes have paid tribute to him over the years with personal notes and continuing invitations to their class reunions evidencing their respect and admiration for him. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Jean; a sister, Helen Dunn of Sheboygan; nieces and nephews: Ron Mann, Platteville; Tom Mann, Platteville; Connie (Mann) Tatge, Phoenix; Gary Dunn, Cedar Grove; Robyn Dunn, San Diego. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Robert; and a sister, Blanche Mann. Funeral services will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 14, 2015. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Monona, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 13, 2015. Private interment will take place at a later date. A special thank you to Heritage Senior Living Memory Care staff. Please direct any memorial gifts to Agrace HospiceCare or a charity of your choosing. On-line condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420