Louise Calhoun

Calhoun, Louise Ann MADISON-Louise Ann Calhoun, age 79, loving mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully on Friday, Dec. 25, 2009, at St. Mary's Hospital. Louise was born on Feb. 20, 1930, in Ponca City, Okla., the daughter of Forrest and Grace Tabor. Her family moved to the Sauk City area in 1932, where Louise grew up, and she graduated from Prairie du Sac High School in 1948, being voted the school's homecoming queen during her freshman year. From there, Louise moved to Madison, eventually married, and held several jobs when she wasn't at home raising her children. Among her numerous titles and positions, she enjoyed many years of dedicated service to Attic Angels, The Greater Madison Convention and Visitor's Bureau, and lastly to the Madison Concourse Hotel, where she held the title of concierge until she retired several years ago. Louise had many personal interests and passions during her lifetime. Besides being a fabulous cook, she enjoyed needlepoint, reading, traveling with friends, gardening, and decorating. Her backyard landscaping projects and exploits were the envy of many. She also loved to watch old movies, especially anything that included Doris Day, Rock Hudson, Cary Grant, or Frank Sinatra, and Louise would be the first one to tell you that one of the highlights in her life was actually meeting "old blue eyes" himself many years ago. According to Louise, Sinatra had no idea what he was missing. As many interests and passions that Louise had, her greatest love and calling was in raising her son and daughter, and in her later years, seeing her grandchildren start to grow. She was extremely proud of all of them, and always stood by them, through all of their successes and setbacks. Louise is survived by her son, Gary (Janet) Calhoun of Cottage Grove; her daughter, Kim (Bill) Steeley of Kirkland, Wash.; her two grandchildren, Ken and Kelly Calhoun; her brothers, Tom (Rose) Tabor Missoula, Mont., and Bob (Ellen) Tabor of Gurnee, Ill.; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Forrest and Grace Tabor; and her former husband, Eugene Calhoun. A celebration of Louise's life will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, with visitation from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., followed by a brief memorial service. In keeping with her love for gardening, flowers are welcomed. Louise wanted to express her sincere love and appreciation to all of her friends and loved ones that reached out and cared about her in the final years of her life. She was a special person whose memory will not be forgotten. Visitation: A celebration of Louise's life will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, with visitation from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., followed by a brief memorial service. Service: A celebration of Louise's life will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, with visitation from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., followed by a brief memorial service.