Memorial Donor Quilts

Allograft Resources Memorial Donor Family Quilt

Herbert Underhill

Beloit, Wis.
May 28, 1941 – Nov. 28, 1998

The Underhill family made a quilt square that combined all their memories of Herbert Underhill.

Herb always wore plaid flannel or summer shirts. The day after Herb passed away, I got cold, so I put on one of his flannel shirts. One of our grandchildren said, “Grandma, I’m cold, too. Can I have a flannel shirt?” Before long, everybody was wearing Herb’s flannel shirts. They took their shirts home and now everyone has a “paw paw” shirt. I love you, Herb.
--Wife, Vi

My dad was a firefighter for the City of Beloit for almost 20 years. I selected the football material because Dad and I had a common interest in football—his Chargers and my Packers.
--Daughter Brenda

During the summer, Dad would buy the biggest watermelon he could find. We would eat the melon in the back yard, and Dad showed my children how to spit the seeds into the grass. That is why we picked that fabric because of all the great summertime fun we had with him and watermelon.
--Daughter Sarah Jane

Dad believed fishing was an art. I remember when I was little, sitting on our boat for hours and not saying a word to each other, but knowing what the other was thinking. Dad taught me most of the work habits I have today, like taking pride in the work you do. I remember whenever he worked for himself or others, Dad stuck a red “hanky” in his back pocket and wrapped one around his head to keep the sweat out of his eyes.
--Son Keith

Salmon fish reminds me of my Dad because I remember him going salmon fishing with his buddies and coming home with these fish that wouldn't even fit into the cooler. Each end of the fish would hang out.
--Daughter Teresa

The four gold starts represent four grandchildren. Herb always thought the grandchildren were the best things in the world. They sure do miss their grandpa.
--“Grandbabies” Brenton, Gina, Tiffany and Tyler

David Hollnagel

Beaver Dam, Wis.
June 2, 1965 - Dec. 10, 2000

David was the youngest in our family. Our father was an avid hunter and fisherman, so it was only natural that David would also love to hunt and fish. The camouflage piece represents the times he has spent with family and friends hunting turkeys, pheasants, rabbits and other small game. The blaze orange and deer border depicts his great love of deer hunting, whether it was bow hunting or gun hunting. He loved the Packers, especially when they were scoring high and on his fantasy football team. The last two pieces of fabric are related to fishing. From the time he was five years old, he would go with family and friends to Red Lake, Ontario. After our father passed away on a fishing trip, David took over the task of camp director. He was and always will be our best guide in life.

Brendan Matthew Braker

Beaver Dam, Wis.
November 28, 2000

Our son was taken unexpectedly from us during birth, approximately a half hour before his arrival. He weighed 8 lbs., 1 oz. and was 21 ¼ inches long. A perfect baby boy! We donated his heart valve tissues, the only thing they can take from a newborn, in hopes of giving another child a chance of a long, beautiful life. His room was decorated with Winnie-the-Pooh, waiting patiently in his crib for his arrival. The square shows Pooh searching the stars for help in finding his “bestest” friend. We know our son is in heaven and this gives us an overwhelming peace in our hearts. He is our very own special angel, and we know he is waiting in the arms of God to be united with us once again.

John C. Schroeder

Oshkosh, Wis.
June 25, 1906 - Jan. 9, 2001

John was the eldest of three children, was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in the township of Grover, and married Esther Hartwig on Nov. 24, 1928. They had five children, 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren during their 70 years together. John worked for 51 years for American Excelsior. This is an ordinary story, but what makes John Schroeder extraordinary is that he was a very friendly man, cared about people, and was always there for his family. He believed God was watching out for him and caring for him. John was always there to help his neighbor, and through bone and tissue donation, he still is.

Mylissa Sue Livingston

Monona, Wis.
April 22, 1980 - July 6, 2000

Mylissa is a very caring and compassionate person. She has a strong artistic talent and wanted to convey her love for art as an elementary art education teacher. Her life goal was to live a life that pleased her Lord and become the woman God wanted her to be. I chose a red rose to symbolize Mylissa's character—beautiful, delicate, and strong. Though Mylissa was taken at a young age, she left us her life verse, John 14:27: “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don ’t be troubled or afraid.” Our family will always keep her close to our hearts, and find comfort knowing Mylissa is now in the loving arms of her Heavenly Father. Mylissa is our Angel.
--Rick & Sue Vollbrecht; David & Jennifer

Dennis A. Meyer

Stevens Point, Wis.
Dec. 22, 1938 – Sept. 5, 2000

He was a very kind person who would help anyone at any time if he could. He would do anything he could to play a joke on someone. He used to wear masks just for fun. He loved to hunt, fish, and spend time with his family. His last dream was to own an elk farm, which he did the summer before he passed away.

Paul Driscoll

Viroqua, Wis.
May 5, 1913 – Jan. 8, 2001

Paul Driscoll grew up in Sheldon, Iowa, and was a graduate of Morningside College in Sioux City where he starred as quarterback on the football team. For 37 years, he taught high school social studies and coached football, basketball, and track teams in Sanborn, Iowa, and in Clarkfield and Madison, Minn. His 1928 Sanborn football team was the only undefeated team in the school’s history. His 1944 Madison basketball team was district champion, and he coached his son Charles, to the Minnesota Track State Championships. Paul was named Yellow Medicine County Teacher of the Year. Paul served as councilman and mayor of Clarkfield, was active in the Masonic Lodge, and also served as Worthy Patron in Eastern Star. Paul was a self-taught artist who specialized in still-life paintings. His family includes sons Bob, Charles and John, and daughter-in-law Jean; grandchildren Dan and his wife Cindy, Amy, Emily and Gillian, and great-granddaughter Emilia. Paul and his wife Vida shared 62 years of happiness. The family is thankful for the beautiful memories and the lessons we learned from him. He was special!

Jesse Allen Muthig

Townsend, Wis.
July 20, 1977 – Aug. 27, 2000

Jesse Muthig has two loving parents, two older brothers, one younger sister, one nephew and one niece. He graduated from Gillett High School in 1995. Jesse was put on earth to make everybody happy. Always the class clown, he was hardly ever serious and would go out of his way just to make you smile. He definitely had the gift of gab. His interests included cars, motorcycles, snowmobiling, snowboarding and he was really into video games. He must have owned every game that ’s out there. He was still a little boy at heart. Jesse was a blackjack dealer at the Potowatomi Casino in Carter, Wis., where he had an abundance of friends. We all miss him terribly.

Gary Edward Scharf

Granton, Wis.
Dec. 30, 1960 - Dec. 26, 1998

Gary Scharf was one of a kind. He was the kindest, most patient person I have ever known. He would do anything for anyone. He was our son, brother, best friend, babysitter, mechanic, carpenter, cook, wood splitter, companion, uncle, fishing and hunting partner, cousin, gardener, grandson, and more. The morning glory is his favorite flower, which is referred to as a twining plant. It gets its strength and support from those things around it. Gary was like his favorite flower. His strength came from his family and friends. Gary was taken away from us by a drunken driver. He was only 37 years old.

Kristina M. (Tess) Gilliam

Two Rivers, Wis.
June 30, 1962 - Oct. 19, 2000

The quilt square was designed and made by Kristina Tess Gilliam’s mother. Kristina and her son would visit many lighthouses along Lake Michigan. Door County and Two Rivers were her favorite spots, in addition to the view along Memorial Drive between Two Rivers and Manitowoc. Kristy and her son loved the beach and swimming. Kristy was a “light” in her family and at her job. Her caring spirit was her asset. She had much love and hope that things would work out for her future. Kristy’s goal was to make the world a better place before her life ended in a tragedy. She had donated six gallons of blood to the Red Cross and in death, she donated whatever the harvest team could take. In death and in life, she gave her all.

Bernie Josephson

Ashland, Wis.
Feb. 25, 1919 – Dec. 1, 2000

Bernard (Bernie) Josephson was an avid sportsman who loved fishing and hunting, both winter and summer. Of course, he had a boat to use in the summer, which is depicted in the quilt square. However, in the winter, it was necessary to use a ski-doo to get out on the ice. I can remember on winter morning when the temperature was 25 degrees below zero, but off he went on his ski-doo to bob for lake trout through the ice! Another favorite pastime was duck hunting, which usually meant sitting in a duck blind for hours while either the snow or rain came pelting down. Of course, deer hunting was another favorite. I have heard so many deer hunting stories over the years, I could really write a very long book.

Curtis M. Lundquist

Rockford, Ill.
April 10, 1981 - Dec. 24, 2000

Curtis is the son of Leonard M. and Kelly J. Lundquist. Curtis passed away after surgery. He was 19 years old. Curtis had attended East Rockford Senior High School. He was hard working, yet always had time to help out his family and friends. He loved sports, music, the computer, and being outside, as reflected in his square. He took on life as a challenge, but never forgot the importance of being kind to everyone. His desire to be a tissue donor, along with his love for his family, help us get by on the days we feel sad. But we are happy to know he has truly given the gift of love and kindness to others as he wished.

Floyd C. Flinn

Almena, Wis.
March 20, 1930 – Nov. 9, 2000

Floyd loved his family and was much loved by many friends. He was an avid member of the Sportsmen’s Club and lifetime member of the Lake Association. We live on a lake and he loved to fish. This poem is what I based his quilt square on: "I pray that I may live to fish until my dying day. And when it comes to my last cast, I then most humbly pray, when in the Lord’s great landing net and peacefully asleep, that in His mercy I be judged big enough to keep!"

Kenneth Jacomet

Middle Inlet, Wis.
June 15, 1937 – Aug. 14, 2000

Ken was vibrant in numerous ways and lived life to its fullest. He always had a smile for all he met and a twinkle in his eye. He was the “life of the party” with his outgoing and fun-loving nature and received laughter and applause wherever he went. His positive outlook on life has been an inspiration for all. Ken loved telling jokes and spending quality time with family and friends. He had a wide variety of hobbies and interests to include playing cards, shooting pool, and riding motorcycle. He also enjoyed nature, especially picking berries and taking scenic photos. He was very active in community and religious service. Ken was a Crivitz Ski Cat announcer, rescue squad volunteer, church lector and school board member, to name a few. His commitment, caring and genuine interest in others were always apparent. Everyone knew you could count on Ken.

Bruce Niewolny

Fenwood, Wis.
April 25, 1949 – Jan. 4, 2000

Bruce Niewolny was a kind and loving family man. When Bruce wasn’t working, he enjoyed gardening. He would start flower and vegetable seeds in his little greenhouse. He really enjoyed experimenting with different types of seeds with some good results and some not so good. Bruce ’s second love was fishing and camping. Many hours were spent with family and friends camping and fishing and telling stories around the campfire about the big fish that got away. He truly is missed by his family and friends.

Adam J. Phillips

Cross Plains, Wis.
Sept. 23, 1981 - Sept. 27, 2000

Adam J. Phillips was born to Michael E. and Cecilia R. Phillips. He graduated from Middleton High School, class of 2000. He has a younger sister, Jodi E. Phillips. Adam was a hard-working, honest, college-bound young adult who seemed to know what he wanted out of life. He loved the outdoors, including backpacking and enjoyed all that life had to offer. He was taken from this world because of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Adam had mentioned to us that if something were to happen to him, we should donate his organs if at all possible. He had made sure his drivers license had been signed, even the new one he had just received. We were very proud to fulfill his wish. Adam touched a lot of lives in his short life and in his honor we hope to do the same with this quilt square. Adam will be in our hearts forever and is sadly missed.

Sandra Lee Wolfram

Beloit, Wis.
Aug. 22, 1946 – Oct. 14, 2000

When she was born, Sandra Lee Harvey weighed in at 3 lbs., 10 oz. Sandee went to school in Sharon, Wis. She decided to leave the sea of knowledge and join the sea of matrimony. While swimming down the river of life, she ran into some rough waters. She decided to swim to shore, and there she met Bob and his five sons. They were married Dec. 7, 1989. They sailed through many happy years together. She became a CNA in 1990. She worked with the elderly and enjoyed her work very much. She loved plants and flowers and talked them into growing for her. God decided her work on earth was finished and called her home at age 54. Sandee will be greatly missed, but will live in the hearts of those who loved her forever. Sandra donated her eyes, skin, bone, and tissues.

Mary Seubert

Neenah, Wis. (formerly of Marathon, Wis.)
March 11, 1949 – November 1, 2000

Mary Margaret Seubert was the youngest of six children, three brothers and two sisters. Mary was truly a special person who touched many lives. She was a loving, kind and very helpful lady. Mary loved doing crossword and word search puzzles, creating puzzles, making beautiful yarn-covered clothes hangers, and helping her parents with many tasks. Mary worked at the E.A.C.H. program in Wausau, Wis., for many years making rugs and baskets, and working in the kitchen for the lunch hour.

Clayton Jenness

Ladysmith, Wis.
May 24, 1932 – Jan. 21, 2001

Clayton Jenness passed away suddenly after an acute pulmonary embolus. His quilt block depicts two of his favorite activities—camping and Ladysmith High School basketball. Basketball was very special because of grandson, Joel, who was a starter for all four years, with two trips to state tournaments. Another sport he really enjoyed was deer hunting. Being a donor was very fitting because he lived his life being a giver.

Linda Vondrum

Prairie du Chien, Wis.
Feb. 9, 1939 – Sept. 20, 2000

This patch is designed in memory of Linda S. (Ley) Vondrum, who was killed in a car accident. She is survived by her husband, Loren, four children (Laurie, Sandy, Tom and Dan) and 11 grandchildren. Besides being a wonderful wife, mother and grandma, Linda was a very active person, always giving of herself. She worked at a senior citizens meal site in Cassville. She liked crafts, golfing, cooking, traveling, bird watching and spending time with her family. The outline around Mom’s picture is made up of our family’s thumbprints in our birthstone color. We chose that idea because of a strong family bond. Our parents have raised us with a great love and faith, which is such a gift.