Rebecca Ann Boldt

MIDDLETON-Rebecca Graham Boldt, 53, of Middleton died peacefully in her home on October 2, 2013. Rebecca was born on January 2, 1960 at Chicago Heights, Illinois the daughter of Robert L. and Barbara A. Graham. She married Jeffrey D. Boldt on Sept.1, 1984 in Houston, Texas, where she’d grown up. Rebecca graduated from the University of Texas in 1982 and was awarded Phi Beta Kappa honors. She earned her Phd. in Applied Economics from UW-Madison in 1989, after researching the effects of land titling on small farm production in the Highlands of Ecuador. She was employed by the UN Food and Agricultural Organization in Rome, from 1989-1991, and did consulting work in Africa and South America. She was then employed by the State of Wisconsin Department of Revenue as a research and analysis manager from 1992 until her retirement in 2011. During her time at DOR, Rebecca was the principal author of a nationally recognized Tax Incidence Study. She also co-authored numerous papers with collaborators Bradley Caruth and Andrew Reschovsky. Rebecca volunteered her time generously: she served meals and worked at food pantries, helped refurbish a school in Jamaica, was active in progressive and feminist politics, and, since retirement, assisted at fires with the Red Cross. A loving mother, she taught her daughters the values of self-reliance, modesty, playfulness, and compassion for others. Rebecca had a wry wit, a keen intellect, deep wisdom, unlimited curiosity and a generous heart. She loved reading, gardening, dancing to live music and spending time with family and her many friends. She was much loved, inspired many and will be sorely missed. Her beloved brother, Gary M. Graham, preceded her in death. She is survived by her loving husband Jeffrey, daughters Allie and Anna, her parents Robert and Barbara Graham, her sister Kathy Kilman, brothers and sisters in law, nieces and nephews and many close friends. On Rebecca’s behalf, we would like to thank the fine people at the Carbone Cancer Center, Gilda’s Club, and Agrace Hospice for their care and support. A Memorial Service has been planned at Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Highway M, Middleton on Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 4:30 pm, followed by wine and a light supper. For online condolences, please visit www.gundersonfh.com. “Hold on to what is good, even if it is a handful of earth. Hold on to what you believe, even if it is a tree that stands by itself. Hold on to what you must do, even if it is a long way from here. Hold on to my hand, even when I have gone far from you.” Native American Blessing Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care 7435 University Ave 608-831-6761 www.gundersonfh.com