Memorial Donor Quilts

Rose Garden Memorial Donor Family Quilt

William W. Birkett

Richland Center, Wis.
Aug, 3 1921 - May, 16 2002

No design could be more appropriate for William 'Bill' Birkett than the sunflower. Born on a sesquicentennial farm in Racine County, a teacher by education but in agribusiness most of his life, Bill was a devoted gardener. After his retirement, he gardened daily from Good Friday's planting of potatoes to harvesting the Brussels sprouts in November. His garden was utilitarian-vegetables for his family and neighbors-but he grew to love flowers, and none more than sunflowers. He declared yellow the color of joy, with his record high sunflowers attracting a variety of birds from the surrounding hills. During his last two years, he was unable to garden. His children and grandchildren tried to plant his garden, but none had his magic touch. After his death in the spring of 2002, as if to honor him, about a dozen sunflowers sprang up in the garden, volunteer seeds spread by his birds. Tall and stately, they reminded his family of his love of life and the earth that produces life. To that end, his wishes were carried out and he was a skin and bone donor to help others live and love. The sunflower quilt square comforts all of us who loved him!

- Jean Birkett, wife

Stacy Budzinski

Thorp, Wis.
Dec 26, 1976 - March 18, 2002

'Stacy is so wonderful,' Stacy's little cousin Courtney would sing whenever she saw Stacy. We adopted Stacy when she was eight weeks old. When people found out that her birthday was the day after Christmas, we would hear, 'That's a terrible time to have a birthday.' But Stacy was happy to almost share the day with Baby Jesus. We always celebrated her 'other birthday' on Feb. 18, the day she came to our house. A month before Stacy died, she went to Hawaii to be in a wedding for one of her many friends. We sent a birthday card to her for her Feb. 18 birthday. She called from Hawaii to say, 'Thanks, Mom, for the birthday card. We're going out to eat for my birthday.' Stacy had the most beautiful smile and contagious laugh. I can hear her and her friend April laughing over some funny little things. Stacy loved little children. We received a lovely note from friends she had made in Hawaii saying how the little children were always around her and how she would make them laugh. The day before she died, she had to spend time with her little cousins Courtney and Kelly to celebrate Courtney's birthday. She had to be sure to give the girls their Hawaiian gifts. Truly, 'Stacy is wonderful.'

- Barbara Budzinski, mother

Victor Dargevics

Wautoma, Wis.
April 1, 1918 - Nov 4, 2002

Victor Dargevics was born in St.Petersburg, Russia, on April 1, 1918, the son of Julijs and Stefane Dargevics. The family returned to free Latvia from Russia when he was an infant. Victor eventually learned electronics and was required to work for whoever occupied Latvia during 'the war', the Germans or the Russians. In 1943, he moved to an American displaced persons camp in Germany where he met his wife, Arija Reizneiks. They were married in Wurzburg, Germany and immigrated to America in 1949, where he lived in Washington D.C. He eventually moved to Racine Wisconsin in 1951 and was a tool and die maker until his retirement in 1975 when he moved to Wautoma, Wis. Victor loved fishing, painting art, and photography. He was very resourceful and could fix anything, from small items to large ones. His donation of tissue and bone fits his fix-it philosophy. His quilt square shows the Latvian flag. Latvia will always be his homeland. Dievs sveti Latvija! (God bless Latvia!)

- Atis Dargevics, son

Harley Dinges

Orangeville, Ill.
Jan. 23, 1929 - Nov. 5, 2001

Harley Dinges was my husband for 48 years, a dad of six children (two boys and four girls) and a grandpa of 10 (five girls and five boys). During the Korean War, he was a sergeant in the U.S. Army. Harley was a member of the Freeport Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 998 and the McConnell American Legion Post 1225 for 32 years. He accumulated hundreds of hours driving a van transporting veterans to and from the Veterans Hospital in Madison, Wis. It was something he enjoyed and took much pride in doing. His favorite sports were hunting and fishing. Through the years his memories of hunting and fishing with his son in-law, sons, grandson, and friends, meant a great deal to him. Last on the square is his job as volunteer fireman. He was dedicated to doing a good job and served the community of Orangeville, Ill. for 36 years, the last five of which he served as chief.

- Rita Dinges, wife

Kristine Foulker

Monroe, Wis.
Jan. 25, 1968 - Jan. 29, 2002

Kristine (Kris) Foulker passed away due to severe injuries sustained in a car accident. She is the daughter of Robert Larsen and Carol Flick. Kris has two older sisters, Tammy Jacobson and Marcia Kubly. She lived most of her life in Monroe, Wis., where she graduated from Monroe High School in 1986. Kris married her high school sweetheart, Mark, on April 9, 1988. They have two children, Kyle (born in 1990) and Emma (born in 1999). Kris was a very friendly and outgoing person who often 'lit up' the room with her smile. She enjoyed camping, NASCAR races, collecting angels, and loved to spend time with her family and friends. Kris was the best wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend anyone could ask for. Her willingness to be a donor showed what kind of caring and giving person she really was. The quilt square with Kris' picture was designed and created by her sister Marcia, using Kris' love of angels as the theme. Kris touched the lives of many people and is truly missed by her family and friends. She will be loved and remembered in our hearts forever.

- Mark Foulker, husband

Michael Lee Frahm

McFarland, Wis.
July 25, 1947 - Aug. 1, 2001

Mike was a devoted and wonderful friend, husband, father, grandfather, brother and son. Mike believed in always doing the right thing. He wanted to make the world a better place. He was the most honest and fair person most people ever knew. He had a wonderful tenor voice and loved to sing, especially old rock & roll and Jimmy Buffett songs. Mike loved life, and tried to live it to its fullest by enjoying each day.

- Mary Lee Frahm, wife

Laurence Heidenreich

Stockton, Ill.
Aug. 19, 1932 - July 19, 2002

Laurence drove a school bus for Stockton, Ill. for 24 years. He enjoyed sports. Stockton girls had a very successful basketball team for a number of years. He was always honored to drive them to their games after he finished his daily route. At the end of the season, he would give each girl a red rosebud. He always said, 'If you don't enjoy kids, you shouldn't be a bus driver.' He loved them all.

- Analene Heidenreich, wife

Sharon Hyldahl

West Salem, Wis.
June 29, 1952 - Nov. 3, 2001

Sharon loved her cat, Chelsea. They were best buddies! When we lost Sharon, we worried about Chelsea. Who would care for her? Thanks to friends and family, Sharon's "buddy" is with good people who care for her as Sharon cared for others!

Phyllis Hyldahl, mother

Barry Julian Ingram

Rockford, Ill.
July 27, 1943 - April 20, 2001

The touch of flannel, a T-shirt printed with 'Lincoln Middle School', a wellworn sweat shirt, Levis, and a cap on his head - that was my brother, Barry. A button-down shirt with one of his dozens of ties and a pair of khakis - that was also my brother Barry, teaching his special education students at Lincoln Middle School. Meticulous and precise, we all - family, friends, neighborhood kids, and students - knew his motto: 'Plan your work and work your plan.' With total recall, Barry could give you his life history based on his cars (including model, color, options and years of purchase and sale), where he was living and what projects he was working on. Barry was a very devoted son to Julian and Mae Ingram of Rockford, Ill., a loving brother to my sister Margo and me, and a great uncle to my children, Heather, Mike and Bill. His friends were many and diverse.

- Saundra Palmer, sister

Howard L. Kastein

Waupun, Wis.
July 9, 1925 - Feb. 28, 2002

Howard Kastein of Waupun, Wis., passed away suddenly of a heart attack the evening of Feb. 27 after a very ordinary day. His wife, three children, three grandchildren and many friends survive him. He worked for the Waupun School District in maintenance for many years. Acousin, remembering his enjoyment of golf in his retirement years, made the quilt square.

- Florence Kastein, wife

Alexis Kylie King

Withee, Wis.
Dec. 6, 2001 - Dec. 13, 2001

'Our Little Angel' is expressed on her quilt square because our daughter and sister came into this world as an angel and left this world as an angel. The seven roses represent her seven everlasting days she had spent with us on earth. Alexis Kylie King was the most precious child that could have been held in your arms. She was sweet, innocent and extremely beautiful.

- Jeff, Sherri and Austin King
(Dad, Mom and brother)

Darlene Novinska

Rice Lake, Wis.
Nov. 22, 1936 - Feb. 27, 2002

Darlene M. Novinska loved her family first and gardening second. She loved making people happy, whether it was with the beautiful colors of her flowers or just a listening ear. By donating Darlene's bones and tissue, she continues to make people happy, just like her gardening did for many years. That is why we chose a picture of her gardening as our quilt block. It was her passion when she was alive and it is how we remember her when we need to feel her love. We miss you, Dar!

- Gordon Novinska, husband

Sheila Pahl

Holcombe, Wis.
April 13, 1978 - May 23, 2001

My daughter Sheila loved to sing and won nine medals from school through Chorus. She loved angels and is a beautiful one herself. She also had a smile for everyone. She loved people and also wanted to help, so she was a donor. We miss and love her very much.

- Janet Pahl, mother

Eleanor Schroeder

Watertown, Wis.
Feb. 10, 1912 - Nov. 7, 2001

Eleanor Schroeder was a very special person. She was born in the heart of Watertown in 1912. Her father owned a butcher shop and was the mayor of Watertown. Eleanor worked for a local dentist for many years as his assistant and came to know many of the citizens of Watertown. She later became involved in the Watertown Historical Society and shared her wealth of knowledge of Watertown's history with many people. Eleanor met Bernie Schroeder, a local dairy farmer, later in life and they married. They were married for 28 years when she died. Eleanor learned to embroider and cross-stitch as well as sewing and knitting. Many family members and friends have pieces of her handiwork as treasured mementos. The quilt square was a reference to Eleanor's talents. Her photo was a recent one, and the stitched squares were from a bookmark that she had made. The rick-rack stitched onto the square was to show her love of sewing. We miss Eleanor and think of her every day.

- Kathy Kleckner, friend

John Sobotka

Ashland, Wis.

Martin Thyssen

Sherwood, Wis.
Feb. 21, 1913 - Feb. 15, 2002

A giving person all his life, even unto his death. The son of hard-working farmers, he was a dedicated son. As a husband, he was loving and devoted to his wife, a victim of Alzheimer's disease. His role as father to two daughters showed his gifts of caring and loving. A deeply spiritual man, devoted to God and family, chose to give the ultimate gift of life-himself as a donor. We, his family, are proud of our father and his gift to life.

- Jean Mueller, daughter