Leonid Akselrud
Leonid Akselrud died on Oct. 17, 2025, at the age of 80.
Beloved husband of Elizabeth Akselrud (nee Khain). Loving father of Michael (Lana) Akselrud. Proud grandfather of Joseph, William and Shawn Akselrud. Further survived by other relatives and friends.
Funeral service held Oct. 21 at the Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home. Interment followed at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Cemetery, Milwaukee. Rabbi Moishe Rapoport officiated. Memorial contributions to the charity of your choice appreciated.
Viktor Azimov
Viktor Azimov died on Aug. 22, 2025, at the age of 71. Beloved husband of Frida Azimov (nee Dratva). Loving father of Diana (Oleg) and Stan (Kristina) Azimov. Proud grandfather of Daniel, Leah, and Ari. Further survived by other relatives and friends. Funeral services held Aug. 24 at the Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home. Interment followed at Mound Zion Cemetery, Brookfield. Rabbi Yaakov Elman officiated. Memorial contributions to Chabad of Glendale or Agudas Achim Chabad of Mequon appreciated.
Philip S. Gruber
Philip Scott Gruber was born on Jan. 20, 1959, to Mathew and Barbara Gruber in the Bronx, New York, and he died on Oct. 5, 2025, at the age of 66. His infectious energy, unique sense of humor, and love for life will be deeply missed.
Philip was the youngest of three siblings growing up in White Plains, New York. In many ways, he had a charmed childhood, excelling in school and sports and creating many lifelong friendships. He attended the University of Wisconsin, where he earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees. Phil loved living in Madison, where once again he thrived with a balance of serious studies, wonderful friends, and a lot of fun. During this time, he found his “niche” in business and marketing, and with his determination and creativity, laid the groundwork for many future successes.
Phil spent his postgrad years climbing the corporate ladder, first in New York City and then in Chicago, where he met his wife, Marita, on 8/8/88 at the first-ever night game at Wrigley Field. Together they moved to Milwaukee, before settling in Shorewood, which became his home for most of his life. His time in Milwaukee was defined by significant career success and a passion for and deep commitment to community building. He started his own company, Niche Sampling Inc., where he built a flourishing business and a close-knit team.
The true joy of Phil’s life was being a father to his three children. He relished all the joys of family life: he told jokes and stories, he played music, and he planned vacations, adventures, and experiences. He coached soccer and baseball for all of his kids’ teams for years and then continued to coach long after they no longer played. He is fondly remembered as “Coach Phil” by many people in the community. He was incredibly active and loved nothing more than walking his dog, riding his bike, and skiing out west. He also loved going fast and took great joy in riding his motorcycle, driving his car, and taking people out on his boat.
Phil thrived as a coach, parent, and businessman thanks to his innate curiosity and love of people. Always the first person to offer help and encouragement, he gave generously of his time and energy, treating all people with dignity and respect, whether they were complete strangers or his closest kin. He looked for and brought out the best in people.
Phil is preceded in death by his parents, Mathew B. Gruber and Barbara Bluth Gruber; his father-in-law, Harry T. Drayson; his brothers-in-law, Randal N. Arnold and Eric J. Steinbach; and his beloved nephew, Noah D. Arnold.
Phil is survived by his children, Declan T. Gruber (Jamie L. Fisher), Anna E. Gruber, and Sarah F. Gruber (Benjamin D. Johnson); his wife, Marita Drayson Gruber; as well as his siblings, Janet Gruber Arnold and Russell E. Gruber (Jennifer Wayer Gruber). He will be remembered and missed by his many, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A funeral service was held on Oct. 9 at Congregation Shalom, Fox Point. Interment followed at Forest Home Cemetery, Milwaukee. Rabbi Noah Chertkoff officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to Feeding America appreciated.
Barbara Goodman
Barbara Goodman, of West Bend, died Oct. 17, 2025, at age 79. Loving wife of Larry Goodman. Dear mother of the late Mark Goodman and Brent (Kelvin Fujikawa) Goodman. Adoring sister of Steven (Sandra) Kuinn. Cherished sister-in-law of Howie (Suzanne) Goodman and Mike (Dee) Goodman. Further survived by other relatives and friends. Graveside services were Oct. 22 at Mound Zion Cemetery, Brookfield. Memorials to a charity of your choice. Blane Goodman Funeral Service assisted the family.
Joyce Kaplowitz
Joyce Kaplowitz (nee Grant) died peacefully at her home in Delray Beach, Florida on Sept. 26, 2025 at age 99. Joyce was born in Milwaukee on March 12, 1926, and was the only child of Sam and Lillian Grant.
She is predeceased by her parents and her son Robert “Bobby” Grant Marks next to whom she will find eternal rest. She is further predeceased by her husband Jack Kaplowitz.
She is survived by her daughters, Brynn (Gerald) Bloch and Debbie (Bruce) Parelskin, her grandchildren Daniel (Jane) Parelskin and Michael (Holly) Parelskin, her step-grandchildren Julie (Martin) Bloch Mendelsohn and Nancy (David Palestrant) Bloch as well as many great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her loving partner Don Edwards and the entire Edwards family and well as the entire Kaplowitz-Korde Family. She had a multitude of friends of all ages.
Joyce was a graduate of Purdue University, a skilled and passionate golfer, and a master-ranked bridge player. She was a Women’s Golf Champion several times at the former Brynwood County Club. She was a long-time member of Congregation Sinai and a volunteer leader for many Jewish Organizations. Joyce loved her years at High Ridge Country Club as well as the Hamlet. The family and Don express tremendous gratitude to Joyce’s caregivers in her final days, Andrea Dawes, Keteline Louinord, Ann Marie Morgan, and the care from Trustbridge Hospice especially her nurse Lisa Nicely.
Graveside services were held Sept. 30 at Second Home Cemetery, Milwaukee. Should you desire to contribute to Joyce’s memory, please consider the Robert Grant Marks Youth Fund, c/o Congregation Sinai, 8223 N. Port Washington Rd., Fox Point.
Jacquelin Katz
Jacquelin Katz (nee Ostach), of Glendale, died Sept. 26, 2025, at age 93. Loving wife of the late Leon “Lee” Katz for almost 70 years. Dear mother of the late Gary Robert Katz, Joy Ellen (Craig) Horwitz, and Steven Jay (Yvonne) Katz. Adoring grandmother of Daniel William Horwitz, Jennifer Beth Horwitz, Joseph Gary Katz, and Shayna Tali Katz. Cherished sister of Jim (Gail) Ostach and Barbara (Howard) Schnoll. Preceded in death by parents William (Seky) Ostach. Further survived by other relatives and friends. Graveside services were held Sept. 29 at Spring Hill Cemetery, Milwaukee. Memorials to Gary Katz Fund at Congregation Shalom or Gary Katz Sports Complex at JCC Rainbow Day Camp. Rabbi Noah Chertkoff and Blane Goodman Funeral Service assisted the family.
Tatyana Korsunskiy
Tatyana Korsunskiy (nee Veksler) died Oct. 12, 2025 at the age of 81. Beloved wife of the late Boris Korsunskiy. Loving mother of Eduard Korsunskiy and the late Vitaly (Viktoriya Vasylyeva) Korsunskiy. Further survived by other relatives and friends.
Graveside funeral service held Oct.16 at Agudas Achim Cemetery, Cudahy. Rabbi Yaakov Elman officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to the charity of your choice appreciated.
Annde Newmark
Annde Newmark (née Gimbel), of Milwaukee, passed away on Sept. 29, 2025, at the age of 58, after a courageous battle with colon cancer.
Born in Milwaukee on Aug. 14, 1967, Annde was a graduate of Nicolet High School, class of 1985. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in 1987 and went on to serve as a financial analyst with Aon Insurance.
A devoted wife, loving mother, and cherished daughter, Annde found joy in reading, walking, watching television, and spending time with her family and friends.
She is survived by her dear husband, Michael Newmark; daughters Jenna (Tyler) Hoffman and Marissa Levi; her mother, Sara Gimbel (the late Seymour); sister Debbie (Mike) Scribner; brother Adam (Shelley) Gimbel; and many loving aunts, cousins, and friends.
Funeral services were held on Oct. 3, 2025, in Milwaukee, officiated by Rabbi Ben Azriel. Arrangements were handled by Ner Tamid Funerals.
Memorial contributions may be made to Colorectalcancer.org.
Ken Tragash
Ken Tragash of Milwaukee died in Madison on Oct. 7, 2025, at the age of 83.
Beloved husband of the late Phyllis Tragash (nee Wallace). Loving father of Brian (Orit) and proud grandfather of Elliot and Sam. Dear brother of Sue Derfel, brother-in-law of Neil Wallace, uncle of Ruth Weil and the late Ben Derfel and great-uncle of Bradley Page. Kenneth will also be missed by other dear relatives and friends.
A graveside service was held on Oct. 13 at Spring Hill Cemetery, Milwaukee. Rabbi Joel Alter officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to Jewish Social Services of Madison appreciated.
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