Crawford Funeral Home

06/10/2026

What is the one thing you’d like to be remembered for? Share with your friends and family and see how well it matches up!

06/09/2026

Mark Steffen

Mark Dennis Steffen, age 63 of Montello passed away unexpectedly Monday, June 8, 2026 as the result of a UTV accident. Mark was born in Fond du Lac County on May 13, 1963 to Dennis and Eileen (Buetow) Steffen. He graduated from North Fond du Lac High School in 1981 and worked at Mercury in the Racing Division for 35 years. Mark moved to Montello in 2018 and moved onto “The Farm” after he and Janet renovated the farmhouse together. Mark retired in 2023. Mark enjoyed hunting, golfing, spending time with friends and family especially his hunting buddies, son and grandson.

Mark is survived by his mother, Eileen Steffen, son, Shane (Courtney Cratchy) Steffen and grandson, Wyatt Steffen all of Fond du Lac. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Crossman, brother, Mike (Geri) Steffen, nieces: Lexi (Brandon), Abby (Brody), Katie, Jessica and Ashley and special cousin and friend, Steve Klotz. Lastly, Mark leaves behind his longtime partner, Janet Mueller of Montello.

Mark is preceded in death by his father and brother-in-law, Jerry Crossman.

A Celebration of Mark’s Life will be held on Friday, June 26, 2026 from 3:00 until 6:00 PM at American Legion Post #351 in Montello.

Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Montello and Oxford is honored to be serving the family. www.CrawfordFH.com

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06/07/2026

Ashley Bednarek

Ashley Marie Bednarek, age 39 of Budsin passed away unexpectedly on Friday, June 5, 2026 at her home. Ashley was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Anthony and Jean (Lindaman) Martorana and raised in Neshkoro. She graduated from Westfield High School in 2005 and married Lucas Bednarek on July 3, 2019 in Budsin. Together they have been blessed with two children. Ashley loved her family and cared for them deeply. She enjoyed swimming, going for walks and always looked forward to the next season of planting flowers. Ashley’s laugh could fill the room and will be remembered for being a great mom.

Ashley leaves behind her husband, Lucas and two children: Rosemary Jean and Richard Ray as well as her father, Anthony Martorana of Neshkoro. She is also survived by her brother, Anthony “T.J.” Martorana of Montello along with Lucas’s family. Ashley is preceded in death by her mother.

Private family services for Ashley will be held at a later date.

Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Montello and Oxford is honored to be serving the family. www.CrawfordFH.com

View Ashley Bednarek's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

06/04/2026

Francis "Bernie" Morin

Francis “Bernie” B. Morin, age 88 of Oxford passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at The Rivers Assisted Living in Portage. Bernie was born in Ontonagon, Michigan to Eldren “Bing” and Grace (Yaklovich) Morin on August 9, 1937. He graduated from Nathan Hale High School and proudly served his country as a member of the United States Naval Reserves. Bernie married Bonnie Brackett on April 18, 1959 at St. Matthias Catholic Church in West Allis; together they worked and lived in West Allis until relocating to Marquette County in 1963. Bonnie preceded Bernie in death on August 6, 2017.

Bernie was a cowboy at heart; he loved everything about horses. He was a skilled machinist who operated the Montello Machine Shop. Bernie spent many years in law enforcement and later retired from FCI Oxford. He will be remembered as a man of strong Christian Faith who loved his family.

Bernie is survived by four children: Paul (Barbara) of Eden Prairie, MN, Ginny Morin of Richfield, MN, Christopher (Julia) of Elroy and Kim Morin of Ripon as well as four grandchildren: Jessica, Eric, Jennifer and Sarah and three great-grandchildren: Mallory, Aubrey and Natalie.

Bernie is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Bonnie, daughter, Anne Morin and sister, Doreen “Toots” Benda.

A memorial service for Bernie Morin will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM at the Crawford Funeral Home in Oxford. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM until the hour of service. Pastor Marci Nichols will preside and private family inurnment will take place at a later date at Underhill Cemetery, Town of Packwaukee. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Cowboys For Christ, PO Box 7557 Fort Worth, TX 76111.

Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Oxford and Montello is honored to be serving the family. www.CrawfordFH.com

View Francis "Bernie" Morin's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

06/03/2026

Shelley Freitag-Dufour

Shelley Sue Freitag-Dufour, age 69 of Montello passed away Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at UW Hospital in Madison with her husband by her side. Shelley was born on November 24, 1956 to Donald and Geraldine (Kusick) Freitag in Portage. She was raised in Montello and graduated from Montello High School in 1975. Shelley furthered her education at Madison Area Technical College earning a degree in Dental Hygiene; throughout were career she worked for several area dentists. In 1982, she Richard “Dick” Dufour and the two were united in marriage on October 1, 1983 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Montello. Together they have always resided in Montello and were blessed with one daughter, Genevieve who passed in 2017.

Shelley was an avid reader and loved to travel. She always looked forward to spending time with family and friends. Shelley will be remembered for her warm heart and how much she cared for her family and her friends. She was always there to help when it was needed.

Shelley is survived by her husband of 42 years, Dick and siblings: Scott (Cher) Freitag of Montello, Sally Freitag of Wautoma, Stacy Freitag of Montello and Shawn Freitag of Sun Prairie. She is also survived by brother-in-law, D. Robert (Mary) Dufour of Phoenix, AZ and sister-in-law, Christine (James) Jensen of Muskego as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Shelley is preceded in death by her parents and daughter, Genevieve.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Shelley Freitag-Dufour will be held on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 11:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Montello. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at the Crawford Funeral Home in Montello. A Rosary Service will conclude the visitation. Visitation will also take place on Wednesday at the church one hour before Mass. Father Savio Yerasani will preside and burial will follow the service at the Montello City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to Montello Public Schools.

Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Montello and Oxford is honored to be serving the family. www.CrawfordFH.com

View Shelley Freitag-Dufour's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

06/03/2026

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05/27/2026

Patricia Barron

Patricia “Pat” A. Barron, age 89 of Endeavor passed away Monday, May 25, 2026 at her home surrounded by family. Pat was born in Rockford, Illinois on March 26, 1937 to Miles and Ethel (Florey) Aurand. She was united in marriage to William “Sonny” Barron at her parent’s home outside of Montello on June 18, 1955 and together they were blessed with 65 years of marriage and three children. Sonny preceded Pat in death on January 18, 2021.

Pat farmed alongside her husband and cared for family. She was an Elvis fan and enjoyed her many trips to Graceland and family trip to Branson. She will be remembered for baking cookies and enjoyed playing card games with her grandchildren.

Pat is survived by three children: William Jr. “Butch” of Reedsburg, Cheryl (Gary) Stevens of Endeavor and Rosalie (Duane Atkinson) Barron of Montello as well as 12 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived be her sister, Diane (Mark) Hintz of Oxford, sister-in-law, Jackie Livingston of Iowa and many extended family members.

Pat is preceded in death by her parents, daughter-in-law, Carol Barron, son-in-law, Guy Ellis, great-grandson, Parker Braatz, siblings: Henry, Ronald (Mary), Randy, Bud, Judy, Joyce, Ellen and Betty and brother-in-law, Irv Krueger.

A visitation for Patricia Barron will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2026 from 9:00 until 11:00 AM at the Crawford Funeral Home in Montello. A graveside service led by Pastor Cotter will immediately follow the visitation at Oak Hill Cemetery, Town of Packwaukee. In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the family.

Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Oxford and Montello is honored to be serving the family. www.CrawfordFH.com

View Patricia Barron's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

05/27/2026

Thank you to our amazing community and families for trusting us and allowing us to be there in your time of need. We’re lucky to have you!

05/23/2026

Ruth Stoltz

Ruth Gladys Stoltz, age 79 of Portage passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2026. Ruth was born on September 19, 1946 to Clarence and Madeline (Goodwin) Holden in Wisconsin Rapids. She was one of 19 children. Ruth married Jack Stoltz on November 11, 1995 in Dane and they were blessed with 20 years of marriage until his passing in 2015.

Ruth was an avid reader who enjoyed gardening, canning, making jams and salsas as well as jigsaw puzzles, crosswords and listening to classical and country music.

Ruth is survived by her two children: Shelly Vaught, her husband Tom, Stacy Horsfall, his wife Kim, as well as two granddaughters: Emma and Piper Vaught and step-granddaughter, Hayleigh Ackley and her fiancé Tyrique Dampier. She is also survived by her sisters: Marcella, Doris, Caroline, Karen, Rosemary and Linda and by her brother, Donald, along with many extended family members as well as Emily Bates who was like a granddaughter to her. She will be greatly missed by her faithful canine companion Bingo. She was also very close with the Amish community.

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Lutrell “Pinky” and brothers: Walter, Eudell “Junior”, Alvy, Raymond, Thomas, Jack, Russel, Jesse “Joe”, Lyle and Rodger.

A funeral service for Ruth Stoltz will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 12:00 PM at the Crawford Funeral Home in Montello. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the hour of service. Pastor Mike Vargo will preside and Ruth will be laid to rest next to her husband at Central Wisconsin Veteran’s Cemetery at King following the service.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to SSM Hospice, especially Ruth’s favorite nurses Daelen and Melonie, her favorite CNA Tiki and Dr. LoConte, and to Visiting Angels, particularly Ruthie, who all became an extension of the family for their compassionate care and support of Ruth and her loved ones. Their dedication made it possible for Ruth to remain in her home during her final days, fulfilling her greatest wish.

Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Montello and Oxford is honored to be serving the family. www.CrawfordFH.com

View Ruth Stoltz's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

05/22/2026

Robert Conrad

Robert “Bob” F. Conrad, age 70 of Montello (formerly of Mequon) passed away at his home on Friday, May 15, 2026. Bob was born on August 28, 1955 to Forrest and Ellna (Brunke) Conrad in Milwaukee. Raised in Mequon and he graduated from Homestead High School and worked construction for many years. Bob resided in Milwaukee until relocated in rural Montello in 2008.

Bob is survived by his son, Christopher (Shannon) Shepherd and grandchildren: Jasmine and Kai. He is also survived by two sisters: Ann Conrad-Schoemer and Diane (Peter) Stanich and his cousin, Kay (Tim) Daley.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Paul Schoemer.

No services will be held.

Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Montello and Oxford is honored to be serving the family. www.CrawfordFH.com

View Robert Conrad's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.