Greening-Buelow American Legion Post 437

Deceased Members

• Ben Hodgson (6/15/1932 - 9/17/2026)
  Ben entered the US Air Force in November 1951 and was sent to San Antonio TX for basic training. In March 1952 he was transferred to Biloxi MS for radio training and to learn Morse Code. While there he was cleared for security operations by the FBI and in October of 1952 went back to San Antonio for final training. In January 1953, Ben was sent to Anchorage Alaska. However, that was quite a trip of seven scheduled flights in all. Two were cancelled. They were four hour and eight hour flights, which landed where they took off from. Five more were cancelled because of ice fog and plane problems after they were half way to Alaska. Ben spent 16 months in NakNak, monitoring Russian MIG flights during the Korean War. He returned to the US in April 1954 and spent the rest of his service at Stewart Air Force Base in New York. Ben spent most of his life busy farming. He joined Post #437 in 1969 and served as Commander six years, Finance Officer about 46 years and several years as Chaplain. Ben served two years as Dane County Commander, ten years as Dane County Finance Officer and four years as District Chaplin.
   
• Raymond Tierney (5/13/1946 - 5/25/2026)

  Raymond (Ray) John Tierney, age 80, of Mazomanie passed away on Monday, May 25, 2026 at Vita Care in Cross Plains. He was born in Madison on May 13, 1946 to the late James and Mildred (Zeier) Tierney. He was a member of the Waunakee High School class of 1964. Following High School he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam and Korea. After his discharge from the service he was united in marriage to Mary Murphy on Oct. 7, 1967. Together they had three children, Patrick (Heidi Bloom), James (Jodee) and Holly Tierney. Ray was a mechanic his entire life, ending it with retiring from the Dane Co. Highway Dept. after 25 years. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing, cheering on the Packers and loved tractor pulling, sharing that passion with his boys. Ray was a member of the American Legion and VFW. He is survived by his wife, Mary; his three children; 6 grandchildren, Wyatt, Dylan, Tyler, Molly, Erin, and Shannon Tierney; siblings, James (Barbara), Don (Joanne), Jean (Dave Braithwaite), Virginia (Matt Lerner), Kathy (Michael) Jach, Mary (Tim Otis), Maggie (Steve Voit).  He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Ray was preceded by his parents, James and Mildred;  brother, Robert and a sister, Barbara.

• John Trager (4/21/1931 - 9/11/2025)

  John F. Trager died September 11, 2025, at the age of 94. An entrepreneur and optimist, John lived his entire life in Mazomanie WI. Born in 1931 to Harry and Gretchen Trager, he lost his father at a young age. An avid storyteller, he loved to recall the antics of his childhood and life, which he highlighted in an autobiography. He attended the University of Wisconsin and Madison Business College. His business interests were many, including Trager Supermarkets, G.P.F. Office Equipment, real estate and banking. He proudly served his country in the US Army from 1951-53. Service was paramount to John, and he gave countless hours to his community and church. John shared his adventurous life with his Hiya, his beloved wife of 63 years, who preceded him in death in 2023. His kindness, generosity, and gratitude left a lasting impression on friends and family. John is survived by three children and their spouses; Ellen (Jeff) Segar, Brookfield WI, Ken (Julie) Trager and Piri (Ron) Kerr, all of Mazomanie WI; 7 grandchildren, Emily (Chris) Peterson, David (Elizabeth) Segar, Camila Segar (Alex Rendon), Andy (Anna) Kerr, Sarah (Dan) Arndt, Matthew and Mitchell Trager, and 14 great grandchildren. For the last year he resided at Pines Assisted Living and was in the care of Agrace Hospice, to whom the family expresses gratitude.

• Donald Williams (7/26/1933 - 7/2/2024)
  Donald Carl Williams, age 90, of Arena, WI, passed away peacefully on Tuesday July 2, 2024, at home with his wife by his side. Don is a veteran of the US Military (Air Force) where he served in the Korean War Conflict and flew over 50 air missions during his tenure from 1951-1956. Don received an honorable discharge as a Staff Sergeant in 1956 and was a member of both the American Legion Post#437 in Mazomanie and the VFW Post #9336 in Arena. He was born on July 26, 1933 to James T. and Agnes (Carlstrom) in Crystal Falls, MI, and was preceded in death by his parents, sister Lucille (Olin) Byerly, brother Thomas (Grace), in-laws, Delmar and Rosemary (Harkness) and niece, Denise Feller. Don is survived by his wife Kathleen “Dolly” (Schreck) of 60 years, sons Eric (Sheila) of Glen Ellyn, IL and Paul (Jody) of Baldwinsville, NY, grandchildren Zach, Anne, Maya, and Lydia. He is survived by many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. At an early age, Don started ski jumping in the Upper Peninsula of MI on the Crystal Falls MI ski jumping club, and later joined the Pine Mountain Ski Jumping club in Iron Mountain, MI. His love of skiing provided him the opportunity to participate in the 1952 Olympics in Oslo, Norway as a Ski Jumper. He also participated in the Badger State winter games as a ski racer. He passed along his love for skiing to both his kids and grandchildren. He continued his passion as a ski instructor at Tyrol Basin, led the Wintergreen Ski Racing Team and was the President of Wisconsin Illinois Iowa Junior Racing Association (WIIJRA) for many years. He continued to ski with his kids and grandkids and enjoyed watching his grandkids downhill ski race. Upon graduation from the Milwaukee School of Engineering, Don worked as an Industrial Engineer at RayOVac and Ohio Medical Products. He was a Certified Manufacturing Engineer and had his Professional Engineering license and put them to good use at many other organizations over the years. He was a member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and held various leadership positions at both the local and regional level. Don was someone who thought of others before himself as witnessed by his many volunteer activities to include Boy Scout Troop leader, MATC drafting class instructor, 4H Youth leader, RV School fair, FFA, EMT and CPR Instructor for 14 years for District 1 in Black Earth, Cross Plains and Mazomanie. Don and Kathy made their home on a small property outside of Arena, WI over 50 years ago where they raised sheep, rabbits, and several other orphaned animals from the neighborhood. Don enjoyed tending to a large garden, fishing, hunting, and whatever the season provided in the area. He was good at Cribbage but bad at Euchre.
   
• ​James Denu (8/12/1941 - 7/19/2023) 
  James R. Denu, age 81, of Mazomanie, passed away in the comfort of his own home surrounded by his family Wednesday, July 19, 2023. He was born at the St. Mary's Hospital on August 12, 1941. Jim was a graduate of Mazomanie High School, class of 1959. Following High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving until 1961. He married Joanne Schulze on August 19, 1972. Together they raised their boys in Mazomanie. His favorite pastime was enjoying time with all twelve of their grandchildren (the "Denu Dozen"). Jim worked for University Hospital for 37 years where he worked as a perfusion assistant. In his "retirement" he enjoyed another 20 years working for Rookies.He is survived by his wife, Joanne; his boys: Charles (Rhonda) and their children, Tyler, Wyatt, and Marisa; Gary (Holly) and their boys, Jax, Noah, and Tanner; Karl (Suzanne), Lucy and Leo; Michael (Angie), Grace, Gavin, Lila, and Levi; sister-in-law, Avis Denu; and cousin, Mae Hartwig. In addition to his parents, he was preceded by an infant daughter, Kathleen; siblings: Roy (Vera) Denu, Ruth (Paul) Luther, Algie (Janice) Denu, John Denu, Charles and Kenneth Denu.
   
• Elmer Racek (2/25/1932 - 10/11/2023)
  Elmer V. Racek, age 91, of Fitchburg, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, at The Waterford at Fitchburg, surrounded by loving family. Elmer was born on Feb. 25, 1932, on a farm near Witwen, WI (Sauk County), to father, Frank Racek Sr. and mother, Esther W. (Giese) Racek. He grew up on the farm and attended school in the Mazomanie area. He graduated from Mazomanie High School with the class of 1950. Following high school, Elmer served as a Corporal in the U.S. Army and drove a tank during the Korean War. Upon his return home he became a journeyman electrician with Havey Electric, moved to Blackhawk Electric and then Academy Electric where he retired. A proud member of the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers), he was honored to be able to work on many Madison-area businesses and buildings. Elmer married Sharon Bartness of Wisconsin Dells, on May 25, 1957. They spent their married life living in Madison, where they raised their two daughters. Elmer was an active member of the American Legion. He had also been a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose and the Mazomanie Area Honor Guard Firing Detail. He absolutely LOVED watching sports - especially, the Wisconsin Badgers, Milwaukee Brewers and the Green Bay Packers. He enjoyed league bowling with friends and was an avid listener of classic country and big band swing music.
   

• Robert Brewer (4/16/1943 - 6/23/2022)
  Robert Curtis Brewer was born in Madison on April 16, 1943, to the late Guerdon and Helen (Curtis) Brewer. Upon his graduation from Cuba City High School; Class of 1962, he enlisted in the United States Air Force serving in Hawaii, Japan and Myrtle Beach. Robert was united in marriage to Nancy Sobeck on April 26, 1969; she preceded him in death on September 17, 2011. Robert worked for the railroads for a short time before starting a 30 year career with the VA working in the engineering department until his retirement at age 55. In retirement he enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing and time spent at the family cabin in Vernon County. 
   

• James Jennings (3/31/1946 - 11/25/2021)

  James Milton Jennings, age 75, passed away on Nov. 25, 2021, at Sienna Meadows Memory Care Facility in DeForest, Wis. He was born on March 31, 1946, in Grand Rapids, Mich., the son of Robert and Beatrice (Waterson) Jennings. In 1980, he married the love of his life, Valerie (Bergman) Jennings, in Middleton, Wis. They enjoyed 32 years together, until her passing in 2012. Jim was also married to Joyce Jennings, the mother of their two sons, Jay and Joel. Joyce most recently came back as a devoted friend and caregiver to Jim in his final years. Jim served his country and his community for the majority of his life. He served in the Air Force, Air National Guard and Army Reserve. He spent part of his career as a police officer for the Middleton Police Department and finished his career as Captain of Security Forces for the 115th Fighter Wing at Truax Field. Jim and Valerie both enjoyed the peace and serenity of living on their wooded property outside of Mazomanie. Jim enjoyed many hobbies there, including birdwatching, making fly fishing lures, and making his own ammunition. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and he participated in multiple shooting clubs. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Valerie. He is survived by his sons, Joel (Michelle Jenkins) Jennings of Oregon, Wis., and Jay (Kim) Jennings of DeForest, Wis.; grandchildren, Kyle, Rachel, Amanda and Ryan Jennings; and Valerie's siblings, nieces, and nephews, whom they adored.