Harold Theodore Denemark
Harold Theodore Denemark died on July 8, 2023, at the age of 97. Born at home on Jan. 12, 1926, in Trenton, New Jersey, he relocated with his family to Milwaukee around 1936. He served as a Gunners Mate in the U.S. Navy during World War II, attended both the University of Wisconsin and Michigan, and retired as chief draftsman in the Bureau of Engineers for the City of Milwaukee. He moved to Delaware in 2018 to be near family. Harold was an inveterate reader, and when his eyesight failed, he started listening to books on tape. True to his great sense of humor, he often wondered out loud as to why listening to books made his eyes tired. Harold was well-traveled, concerned with the state of the world, knew his music (classical and jazz), followed baseball seriously, and cheered for the Bucks and Packers. He was a fearsome opponent in all trivia games. Harold would have been touched if any donations in his memory went to educational institutions, especially in the Jewish community.
Beloved husband of the late Anita Denemark (nee Levinsky). Cherished father of Robert (Cynthia) and the late Howard (the late Grace) Denemark. Loving grandfather of Amanda (Jonathan), Eric (Katherine), Abigail (Adam), Evelyn (Jonathan), and dear great-grandfather of Ethan, Ezra, Hannah, Yehudah, and Tulip. Fond brother of the late Helen (the late Shep) Goldberg and the late Murray (Shirley) Denemark.
A graveside service was held on July 14 at Second Home Cemetery, Milwaukee. Rabbi Shari Shamah officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family.
Madeline Dubman
Madeline Dubman (nee Sherman) died peacefully, on June 3, 2023, at the age of 97. She was surrounded by her loving family at the time of her passing, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Known to all as Maddie, she was born in Brooklyn to Sarah and Israel Sherman, on Dec. 20, 1925. Raised in Chicago with brothers, Eddie and Mort, she moved to Milwaukee upon marrying husband Harold, on March 27, 1949. Together, they raised their daughters in Bayside, surrounded by a huge extended family and many close friends. Maddie moved to Phoenix in 2016 to be closer to daughter Karen. An instantly recognizable redhead, she lit up any room she entered. She was fun-loving, vivacious, a fantastic golfer, dancer, singer and wonderful baker. She was generous, patient and always remained positive throughout her life. She was devoted to her family and was loved by all. If you didn’t love Maddie, you just didn’t know her.
She is finally reunited with her beloved husband Harold and daughter Barbara Lutz. Survivors include her daughter Karen (Mitchell) Katz and son-in-law Kerry Lutz. She is adored by her grandchildren, Chelsey (Timothy) Kirby, Brittany (Marc) Stier, Brandon Lutz and Benjamin Katz, as well as her great-grandchildren, William and Theodore Kirby and many friends.
Graveside service was held on June 8 at Spring Hill Cemetery and Mausoleum. Rabbi Ron Shapiro officiated. Blane Goodman Funeral Services assisted the family. Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix, HOV.org
J. Marshall Dunkleman
J. Marshall Dunkleman died peacefully in his home in Milwaukee on June 28 at the age of 98.
He was born in Chicago on Sept. 1, 1924, to Gabriel and Deborah (nee Warshauer) Dunkleman. He was predeceased in December 2020 by his wife, Yvonne Aktuaryus Dunkleman, who was the love of his life for 65 glorious years. Having met in Chicago, they were engaged on their sixth date and began their wedded life in Chicago in 1955. The couple and their family moved to Milwaukee in 1965.
He often said that other than his wonderful marriage to Yvonne, the happiest time in his life was when he proudly served the Navy in the Philippines during World War II. After the war, he returned to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to complete his college degree.
Marshall was district sales manager for Metropolitan Life for many years, retired and then worked for FHK Corporation until the age of 85, during which time he received an award and was honored for being one of the company’s leading salespeople in the USA.
Marshall was known for being a gentleman and a gentle man. He was a man of integrity, honesty, compassion, devotion and love. He had a wonderful sense of humor and appreciated classical music, the arts and literature. He was an accomplished and humble artist, even though he did not begin this endeavor until his 60s. He also wrote beautiful poetry, beginning at age 12.
Marshall was a loving and devoted son, husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be dearly missed and remembered by his loving children, David, and Sharon (Paul), and grandsons, Joe and Alex, as well as his caregivers and friends.
A private interment took place in Chicago on July 3. Rabbi Joel Alter officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. As an expression of sympathy, please consider performing an unsolicited act of kindness or make a donation to a charity of your choice.
Marlene Feldman
Marlene Feldman (nee Heidt) died on June 15, 2023, at the age of 86.
Loving wife of the late Aaron Feldman. Cherished mother of Gary (Jennifer) Feldman, Leland Feldman and Jillian (Jon) Quandt. Proud grandmother of Mary Jane, Audrey Alexandra and Jared.
Private funeral services held. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to the charity of your choice appreciated.
Doris Gendelman
Doris Gendelman, Milwaukee, died June 17, 2023, at age 95.
Survived by children Nina Edelman (Richard), Beth Rattner (Gary), Bruce Gendelman (Lori) and grandchildren: David Taus (Katie), Sarah Taus, Arielle Edelman McHenry (Adam), Jessie Edelman (Mike Puretz), Benji Rattner (Ginny), Dina Cadavid (Mauricio), Joseph Gendelman (Tara), Jordan Gendelman (Jeanna), Daniel Gendelman, Juliana Gendelman (Chris Goldberg), and eleven great-grandchildren.
Doris grew up in Montclair, New Jersey, daughter of David and Anna Neubauer, both originally from Poland, who met and married in Palestine. As a teen she was active in raising funds in support of U.S. troops as well as working on a farm in the Women’s Land Army. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she met her husband, Max Gendelman, a returning World War II “GI”. Their meeting and romance is chronicled in a book Max wrote at the end of his life, “A Tale of Two Soldiers.” They married in 1947 and made their life in Milwaukee.
Doris was active in many organizations. She presided as president of The Guten Women’s Auxillary of the Jewish War Veterans, became a Girl Scout leader, and at home set examples for her children to be creative with paint, fabric, and the written word. She was a board member of the National Association of Poetry Therapy and taught poetry at the Milwaukee Psychiatric Hospital. In the 1970s she returned to college and earned her master’s degree in social work. As director of Social Services at The Milwaukee Jewish Home in the 1980s she worked in close association with her mentor and friend Nita Corre. Doris may well be remembered by her friends and community for her creative endeavors. She wrote hundreds of poems and was an active member of several poetry writing groups.
At the Audubon Court Bookstore café she organized poetry readings and booked presentations with authors on book tours. She wrote to politicians and authors, and often wrote editorial opinions for newspapers. Doris was also a painter. She gravitated to nature subjects, but also Israel. The family who remained after the Holocaust lived near Tel Aviv, which included aunts, uncles, and 23 first cousins she met as an adult. It gave Doris and Max great pleasure to make many trips there. The family is grateful to dedicated caregivers Olive Dar, Susan Kaburu, Carmen Lines and Peony Vardi. Graveside services were June 21, at Second Home Cemetery, Milwaukee. Memorials to Milwaukee Jewish Day School, mjds.org, Emily’s Entourage, emilysentourage.org/donate or Children’s Holocaust Memorial and Holocaust Education Center, MorseLifeFoundation.org
Rabbi Noah Chertkoff and Blane Goodman Funeral Service assisted the family.
Ralph Gould
Ralph Gould, Bayside, died July 16, 2023, at age 82. Beloved husband of the late Maxine D. Gould. Dear father of Stacie (Jeff) Usem and Alan (Wendy) Gould. Loving grandfather of Josh (Elissa) Usem, Ben (Tessa Coan) Usem, Jonah Gould, and Ethan Gould. Preceded in death by sisters and brothers-in-law Janet (Earl) Yaillen and Elaine (Ronald) Durchslag. Graveside services were July 19, at Second Home Cemetery, Milwaukee. Rabbi Steve Adams and Blane Goodman Funeral Service assisted the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to Brain Research Foundation, thebrf.org, are appreciated.
Paul Alan Jacobs
Paul Alan Jacobs of Whitefish Bay and Boynton Beach, Florida died on July 15, 2023 at the age of 92. Beloved husband of Betty Jacobs for 60 years until her passing in 2017. Loving father of Debbie Jacobs, Linda (Gary) Keller, Cindi Jacobs, and Nancy (Tom) Lewandowski. Caring grandfather of Hannah (Ryan), Robert, Kyra, Bradley, Jack, Amy, and Caleb. In addition, proud uncle to Barry and Stuart (Caren) Mlot, and also survived by friends who are family, the extended family of Marty and Ruby Carneol.
Born in Brooklyn, New York City, 1930, and graduated from Syracuse University 1951, and SUNY-Downstate Medical School 1954. Medical internship, 1955 at Kings County in Brooklyn, where he met Betty. He then served in the United States Navy and was discharged in 1957 as a lieutenant commander. Surgical residency, 1958 Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, and orthopaedic residency, Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, 1958-1961. He then moved to Wisconsin and became the third partner of the Milwaukee Orthopaedic Group, where he practiced until retiring at age 75. His professional roles also included professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin, team physician of the Milwaukee Brewers, and serving as an officer in organizations from the local to the international level. He also received numerous professional awards. In addition to his robust professional life, he had a strong commitment to the community. He was a member and past president at Congregation Beth Israel, and was strongly tied to Camp Interlaken, Jewish Museum Milwaukee, and Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, Israel. His deepest joys were his family and travel. He had traveled to more than 125 countries on all 7 continents, always with family.
Funeral services were July 18, at Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid, Glendale. Interment at Second Home Cemetery, Milwaukee. Rabbi Joel Alter and Blane Goodman Funeral Service assisted the family. Memorial gifts may be made to the Jewish Museum of Milwaukee, JewishMuseuMilwaukee.org, or the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, alzdiscovery.org.
Alvin Jubelirer
Alvin Jubelirer died on June 17, 2023, at the age of 77.
Preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Faye Jubelirer. Loving brother of Vivian (Will) Schueler and Mark (Dawn) Jubelirer. Further survived by other relatives and friends.
Graveside funeral service held June 21 at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Cemetery, Milwaukee. Rabbi Noah Chertkoff officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to the charity of your choice appreciated.
Caren “Cookie” Krasno
Caren “Cookie” Krasno died peacefully and comfortably on June 13, 2023 at the age of 66.
Beloved daughter of Gloria and the late Myron Krasno. Loving sister of Charles (Sue), David (Lisa), Terri Beth (Douglas) Cohee, Cindy (Joel) Vardy and Sandy (Tim) Poulin. Further survived by nieces, nephews: Robert Yale (Jess) Cohee, Rebecca Peterson, Michael Krasno, Madeline Krasno and Rachel Poulin (Maddi-Mordechai) Minchen; great-nieces and nephews: Julia, Elise and Max Peterson; as well as dear friends.
She lived in Chatanooga for 20 years where she enjoyed bowling, biking and was an amazing cat owner. Caren embraced life and music and created a world of animals via her ceramics. Having survived a childhood disease, she focused on family and friends. Health conditions shortened her vibrant life. Her radiance and laughter will be missed.
Graveside funeral service held June 19 at Mound Zion Cemetery, Brookfield. Rabbi Levi Emmer officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to Ovation Jewish Home and Care Center or charity of choice appreciated.
J. Donna Miller
J. Donna Miller (nee Grossman) died at home on June 29, 2023, three days before her 95th birthday.
Beloved wife of the late Jordan Miller; cherished mother of Branda Miller (Steve Pierce) and David Miller (Mary); loving grandmother of Jordan Miller, Sarah Miller, Masha Miller and Mason Deming (Stephanie); great-grandmother of Lucas and Joshua Deming; sister-in-law of Burt Miller and the late Muriel Miller, and aunt of Lynn Miller and Judy Miller Alligood (Harvey).
Donna, an accomplished artist with a brilliant mind, left her creative mark on family, friends and community. Dearly loved, deeply missed, her inspirational spirit uplifted all who were blessed to know her.
Graveside funeral service held July 5 at Spring Hill Cemetery, Milwaukee. Rabbi Jessica Barolsky officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun appreciated.
Ross Nashban
Ross Nashban died June 15, 2023 at the age of 73. Preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Harold and Dorothy Nashban. Loving brother of Glenn (Diane) Nashban and Robin Benedon. Further survived by his aunt, Thea Greenberg; nieces and nephews: Emily Nashban; Melissa, Carrie (Matt Sienkiewicz), Jacob and Pamela Benedon; four great-nieces and nephews and special friends, Jill, Jerry and Jeff.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam from 1968-1970. In his younger years, he was an entrepreneur and he very much enjoyed and excelled at cooking. He will be missed.
Graveside funeral service held June 19 at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Cemetery, Milwaukee. Rabbi Wesley Kalmar officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project.
Elliott James Papermaster
Elliott James Papermaster died on July 14, 2023, at the age of 82.
Elliott was born on Aug. 9, 1940, in Milwaukee, the son of Henry and Rebecca Papermaster. He grew up in Shorewood where he graduated from Shorewood High School and earned an associate’s degree from Shimer College in Illinois. In addition to operating an area insurance agency and helping his friends, family and clients around the country, he raced Porsche cars, was a past president of the Porsche Club of America, and was a nationally ranked racquetball player. Elliott also enjoyed his weekend cycling adventures with friends.
Elliott was the life companion of Anna Oliak; dear brother of Barbara (the late Lloyd) Wolch and the late David Papermaster; loving uncle of Stephen (Andrea) Papermaster, Allison (David) Kapalka, and Bruce Wolch; and great-uncle of Alexandra and David Papermaster and Ryan and Daniel Kapalka. Further survived by other relatives and friends.
Graveside funeral service held July 18 at Mound Zion Cemetery, Brookfield. Rabbi Shari Shamah officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to the charity of your choice appreciated.
Susan Sack
Susan Sack (nee Schiff) died on June 27, 2023, at the age of 80.
Beloved wife of Richard Sack. Loving mother of Scott (Julie) Sack and Mark (Amy) Sack. Proud grandmother of Emma, Noah and Ethan and Jesse, Samantha and Matthew Sack. Dear sister of the late Donald (Ruth) Schiff. Further survived by other relatives and friends.
Memorial service held June 30 at Congregation Shalom, Fox Point. Rabbi Ron Shapiro officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to Congregation Shalom or the charity of your choice appreciated.
Muriel Taffel
Muriel Sonya Guten Taffel was a woman devoted to her family and friends, a world traveler, avid reader and a diehard sports fan. She died June 13, 2023, just 10 days shy of her 91st birthday.
Born June 23, 1932, Muriel was the daughter of Henry and Hilda Guten. The family, including brother Donald and sister Renee, lived on Milwaukee’s West Side. Later, her father and her Aunt Rose ran Guten’s Delicatessen, a Jewish gathering place in the community.
Muriel graduated from Washington High School and earned a degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin. She continued her education at Cardinal Stritch University with a master’s degree.
She was introduced to her husband by a matchmaker in April, 1958. She and Nathan (Nate) Taffel, a Holocaust survivor who moved to Milwaukee from Australia, fell in love quickly and were married Sept. 28, 1958. They were married 64 years. They have three children, Craig, Lonn and Mindy, and two wonderful grandsons, Noah and Jonah. Muriel and Nate were overjoyed to witness Noah marry his high school sweetheart, Ilana, this March.
Family gatherings were regular occurrences at the Taffels. The family traveled often to Dallas to be with Muriel’s brother Don, sister-in-law Mimi and their family. And, with a genial group of relatives and friends, she and Nate traveled the world. Annual trips to Florida were the preferred way to celebrate the winter holidays with family.
When Nate was ready to speak publicly about his Holocaust experiences, which he did in Wisconsin and beyond, Muriel was there by his side to manage and support him in this difficult yet essential endeavor.
Muriel was a devoted mother, grandmother, aunt and close friend. She always made you feel that she couldn’t wait to be with you again.
She is survived by her daughter, Mindy Taffel; sons, Craig (Linda) Taffel and Lonn (Nadia) Taffel; grandsons, Noah (Ilana) Taffel and Jonah Taffel; sister-in-law, Miriam Guten; nieces Keri Guten (Don) Cohen and Myra Guten (Artie) Moskowitz; nephews, Allen (Lynn) Taffel, Dennis (Ruthie) Guten, Jeffrey Dygola, Shawn Dygola; and many special friends.
She is predeceased by her parents, Henry and Hilda Guten and siblings, Donald Guten and Renee Dygola.
Graveside funeral service held June 18 at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Cemetery, Milwaukee. Rabbi Marc Berkson officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family.
Memorial contributions to Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun appreciated.
Nathan (Naftali) Taffel
After surviving the horrors of work and concentration camps as a teen and having most of his family killed by the Nazis, Nathan (Naftali) Taffel lived for his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and Holocaust survivor who shared his message of letting go of hate with thousands across Wisconsin. He passed away on June 26, 2023, at age 95.
Nate was the youngest of 10 children born to Avram Chaim and Mindel Taffel in Poland. He was a happy child with curly hair and twinkling blue eyes. His was a happy Jewish life centered around family, yet he did experience Polish antisemitism as a boy that only intensified as the war broke out in 1939. At age 12, as Jews were being killed and deported to concentration camps from his hometown of Radomysl Wielki, Nate’s father understood the urgency and, after asking him to say certain prayers, he told Nate that was his bar mitzvah. Two days later, he and his youngest sister Faiga were spirited out of town to Tarnow, where an older sister and her family lived. It was the last time he saw his parents.
Luck, ingenuity, perseverance and a strong spirit kept Nate alive during the war. Focused on survival, he endured Nazi work camps, a concentration camp, and a death march. When he was liberated at 17½, he and his brother Leon spent time in a displaced persons camp before Nate decided to go to Australia, where he stayed until moving to Milwaukee.
He became a cattle dealer by trade. On the side, he repaired appliances. There was nothing he couldn’t fix. Nate met Muriel Sonya Guten through a matchmaker, and after a short courtship, the two were married on Sept. 28, 1958. They had three children, Craig, Lonn, and Mindy, and two wonderful grandsons, Noah and Jonah. Muriel and Nate were overjoyed to witness Noah marry his high school sweetheart, Ilana, this March. Nate was fond of playing cards, telling jokes that made people groan, singing a Polish birthday song to all he loved, speaking at simchahs, fishing, traveling the world with a group of close relatives, and, most of all, just being with family.
Later in life, Nate decided to speak about his Holocaust experiences, though each speaking engagement was difficult for him. Muriel always offered incredible support. He was a popular speaker with the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center, a program of Milwaukee Jewish Federation, traveling across the state to share his positive message.
His life is documented in a 2010 memoir, “Stolen Childhood,” lovingly written by his niece, Keri Guten Cohen. Nate is survived by daughter, Mindy Taffel; sons, Craig (Linda) Taffel and Lonn (Nadia) Taffel; grandsons, Noah (Ilana) Taffel and Jonah Taffel; sister-in-law Miriam Guten; nieces Keri Guten (Don) Cohen and Myra Guten (Artie) Moskowitz; nephews, Allen (Lynn) Taffel, Dennis (Ruthie) Guten, Jeffrey Dygola and Shawn Dygola; and many special friends. He is predeceased by his loving wife of 64 years, Muriel, who died 13 days before him; dear parents, Avram Chaim and Mindel Taffel; beloved sisters, Rifcia, Rochel, Shaindl, Gittel, Sima, Tobah, and Faiga; brothers, Yochinam and Leon; his brother-in-law, Donald Guten; and sister-in-law Renee Dygola.
Donations in memory of Nathan Taffel may be made to the Holocaust Education Resource Center.
Graveside funeral services held June 29 at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Cemetery, Milwaukee. Rabbi Marc Berkson and Cantor David Barash officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family.
Rhea Shapiro
Rhea R. Shapiro (nee Kahn) died in California on June 17, 2023, at the age of 88.
Beloved wife of the late Judge James Shapiro. Cherished mother of Jeffrey and Steven (Sheryl) Shapiro and proud grandmother of Jack Shapiro. Further survived by other dear relatives and friends.
Rhea graduated from Washington High school, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and attended Northwestern University. Rhea was a fantastic artist as well as an accomplished audiologist and taught sign language to the deaf. She also played the clarinet.
Funeral service held on June 22. Rabbi Ron Shapiro officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Burial was at Spring Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital appreciated.
Eliot Wasserman
Eliot Wasserman, 64, passed away on June 4, 2023, with family and friends by his side. He is survived by his wife Christine Wasserman, his daughter Shannon (Gus) Juedes, stepdaughter Stephanie (Dennis) Gracyalny, stepson Josh (Gracie) Schraa, and stepson Kellan (Brea) Michaelson; his sister Jackie (Steve) Blumberg; nephews: Matt (Natcha) Blumberg and Aaron Blumberg. Eliot is further survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents: Janice (William) Zamsky and Stanley (Arlene) Wasserman and his daughter Amanda Wasserman.
Private funeral services were held.
Contributions in memory of Eliot can be made to the Jewish Community Pantry, Congregation Shalom, or a charity of your choice.
David Wolfe
David Wolfe died unexpectedly on June 21, 2023, at the age of 71.
Preceded in death by his parents, Joseph J. and Rosalyn (nee Gash) Wolfe. Dear brother of Marilynne Sabovic, Helene (Bob) Walerstein and Morrie (Antoinette) Wolfe. Further survived by nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, other relatives and friends.
Graveside funeral service held June 23 at Agudas Achim Cemetery, Cudahy. Rabbi Joel Alter and Hazzan Jeremy Stein officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid or the charity of your choice appreciated.
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