Madison

Gregory Martin Statz passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 26, 2015, at Attic Angel Place in Middleton. He fought the good fight against lymphoma, diminished heart capacity and other physical ailments since 2009.

Greg was born on July 19, 1933, in Madison to Martin J. and Agnes I. (Rasmussen) Statz. He lived on Madison's south side his entire life. Greg attended St. James Elementary School and Edgewood High School where he found the love of his life, Joan Farrell. After graduating from Edgewood in 1951, Greg enlisted in the U.S. Navy in February of 1952 and served as an electrician's mate aboard the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown in the Pacific Theater for three years until his honorable discharge in 1956.

Upon his return, he married Joan on June 16, 1956, and was employed by Wisconsin Telephone Company (Ameritech), retiring in December of 1991. During those years, Greg and Joan devoted their lives to raising two daughters, Kathryn and Sarah, supporting them in their grade school years at Blessed Sacrament School, at Edgewood High School, and throughout their college years.

Greg and Joan were active members of Blessed Sacrament Parish of Madison.

After retiring from Ameritech after 35 years of service, Greg spent his time woodworking, reading, fishing, and being a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He truly enjoyed the peace and solitude of the Statz property near Minocqua. He will be remembered for his gentle, cheerful attitude, good humor and generous service to others.

Greg is survived by his wife, Joan M. Statz, of Madison; daughters, Kathryn Statz (Drew Crowley) of Chicago, IL, and Sarah (Dana) Mattson of Laporte, MN; grandchildren, Brenden, Reuben, Taylor, Maria, Trevor, Kiersten, Andrea, Elly, Bethany, and Eva Mattson; sister, Rita A. Enlow of Beloit; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Martin; mother, Agnes; in-laws, James N. and Agnes (Walsh) Farrell, brother, Richard J.; and sister-in-law, Vita (Valenza).

The family extends their heartfelt thank you to Agrace HospiceCare and the caring staff of Attic Angels.

A Mass of Christian Burial with Military Honors will be held at 12 noon on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2131 Rowley Avenue with Father Thomas Saucier presiding. Visitation will be at the church on Wednesday from 11 a.m. until the time of Mass. Final resting place will be Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to Blessed Sacrament Elementary School or the Society of St. Vincent DePaul, Madison.

Gregory Statz

July 19, 1933 - September 26, 2015

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