Obituaries

Robert L. Donahue, age 94, of rural Mauston, Wisconsin passed away Saturday, April 05, 2025 at Serenity House in Tomah, Wisconsin.

Robert ( Bob ) was born March 8, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois to Thomas Francis and Lucille Sophie (Feldman) Donahue. He grew up in Chicago, but spent most of his childhood summers in Mauston at Woodside Ranch, which was founded by his grandparents. He had great times with his cousin Bill Feldman who at one point had to be banished from Woodside after the 2 of them had too much fun and hijinks. His high school years he lived in San Francisco where his father was stationed at The Presidio, but he returned to Mauston to graduate with the class of 1948. Robert earned degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. While at Illinois he married Geraldine T. Bowser on March 21, 1959. He then went on to get his doctorate in composition from Cornell in Ithaca, New York. Also in Ithaca his daughters Carrie (1961) and Emma (1963) were born. His composition teachers have included Cecil Burleigh, Hunter Johnson, Robert Palmer, Benjamin Johnston, and Karel Husa. He taught music composition at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh and then for 35 years at Spelman College in Atlanta retiring in 1998. He is credited with over eighty publications of educational piano music, choral music and instrumental ensembles, and was commissioned to write works for saxophone. Among other notable achievements his Sonata #3 was a prizewinner in the Delius Festival and the Atlanta Symphony Brass Quintet performed his SEVEN MINIATURES in Norway at the Grieg Festival in ’93. He was a member of the Southeastern Composers League, Society of Composers, Inc., American Music Center and ASCAP where he has won twelve special awards.

In 1977, after 10 years in Atlanta, the family moved to an 8 acre farmette outside Newnan Ga. He really took to country life – doing lots of wood chopping to keep the fires going. In addition to all the property management he worked on fencing for his daughters horses and the family finally got a dog! Babe was the first, then Blue, Bart, Foxy, Brunhilde and finally Lady.

In 2002 he and his wife moved back to Mauston, after 35 years in the South, to be closer to their daughters and expected Granddaughter, Anna Lucille. The dogs continued with Buster and finally Sonny.

In retirement, while living in Mauston, he continued writing “teaching” piano pieces. He built up a catalog of over 1000 pieces. When not composing, he loved to read, especially mysteries and thrillers as well as westerns and science fiction. He was a major football and basketball fan and enjoyed Steven Colbert and Jon Stewart’s Daily Shows. He also had his daily habits of Wordle, Suduko, the Spelling Bee and solving Cryptoquotes.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents: Thomas and Lucille, wife Geraldine (2020) and sister Jan Reynolds. Survivors include: daughters Carrie, and Emma McClintock (Dan McClintock), granddaughters Anna McClintock and Bailee Marx (McClintock) her husband Andy and their children Eden and Halle. Robert’s Nephew, Patrick Reynolds, summed it up well: “He was a truly brilliant, immensely talented, and interesting man. A humble genius with a very gentle spirit”. He will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and teacher who provided and cared for his family and friends.

Memorials may be directed in Bob’s memory to the American Heart Association, the National Kidney Foundation and your local public library.

Roseberry’s Funeral Home is assisting the family. Visit www.roseberrys.com for online condolences and further information.

Vergie Mae Quimby, age 94, of Big Flats, Wisconsin, has gone on to paradise on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Edgewater Haven Nursing Home in Port Edwards, Wisconsin. Her long and well-lived journey has now led her to her eternal home.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 21, 2025 at the Roseberry’s Funeral Home in Friendship, Wisconsin.   Pastor Milt Duntley will officiate.  Interment will be at the Pine Grove Cemetery,  Bancroft, Wisconsin.  Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at  Roseberry’s Funeral Home.  

Vergie was born on March 25, 1931, in Jump River, Wisconsin, as a twin, to Louis T. and Alice (Warner) Crook. On October 29, 1949, she married her childhood sweetheart, Gilman Quimby Sr., in Camp Douglas, Wisconsin. Together they built a life filled with love and dedication.  They began raising their family and moved to Janesville, where Vergie worked for Parker Pen, before relocating to Waukesha, where she was employed by Amaron Company for 10 years and continued to raise her children and babysitting her grandchildren.  She trained for and became a home health care giver until she retired. In 1993, Vergie and Gilman moved  to Big Flats, where they ran the beloved “Quimby Vegetable Barn.” Even in retirement, Vergie’s hardworking spirit led her to McCain Foods in Plover, where she worked for many years.

Vergie had a heart as generous as her hands were skilled. She found joy in crocheting, crafting cherished blankets for each of her children, grandchildren, and even many great-grandchildren. She loved tending her garden and spending precious time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, creating lasting memories through her kindness.

In addition to her devotion to family, Vergie was passionate about supporting others. She proudly served as a chairperson for the Alzheimer’s Walk for many years, lending her time and efforts to a cause close to her heart.

Vergie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gilman Sr.; her parents, Louis and Alice; two sons, Richard and Leonard; and her siblings: Genevieve (Harold) DeBruin, Vivian (Ray) Quimby, Henry (Betty) Crook, Robert (Kathy) Crook, Virgil (Delores) Crook, Alvin (Doris) Crook; and in-laws Glen Warner, Norman Jensen, and Bonnie Crook.

She is lovingly survived by her children: Gilman Jr. “Jim” (Shirley) Quimby, Sharil Gallagher, Karen (Dennis) Tolley, and Allen (Katie) Quimby; daughter-in-law, Sharon  Quimby; her siblings: Arlene Warner, Olsie Jensen, Paul (Dee) Crook, and Gloria (Tom) Heyer; and her sister-in-law, Leona Taylor.

Vergie’s legacy also lives on through her 13 grandchildren: Brenda, Michelle, Delta (Sarah), Charity, Lewis, Dwayne, Derrick (Bobbi), Shannon (Brian), Jessica, Ryan (Jeng), Jeremiah (Amanda), Stacie, and Jay (Casey); her two step-grandchildren, Samantha (Trevor) and Darren (Georgette); her 28 great-grandchildren; 6 step-great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren; and 2 step-great-great-grandchildren.  She is further survived by many, many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Vergie will be remembered for her strong yet gentle spirit, her unwavering love for her family, and her deep-rooted kindness that touched every life she encountered.  Her 6 grandsons will serve as pallbearers and her 12 great-grandsons will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Roseberry’s Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family. Online condolences and further information are available at www.roseberrys.com.