Donald R. Gavers, 79, Woodstock, died Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, at the University of Wisconsin Medical Center, Madison, Wis. He courageously battled against cancer. He was born March 22, 1936, to Otto and Ann (DeVogelaere) Gavers in Chicago. On Oct. 21, 1961, he married Sally Schumacher, and they settled in Woodstock, raised their family and became what many call “Woodstock Icons.” He served with the 82nd Airborne Division and was stationed in Ft. Bragg, N.C. He was a lifetime member of the Woodstock Moose Lodge 1329. As president and founder of Gavers Asphalt, Paving, & Excavation Company, established in 1969, he attributed his success to several simple but effective practices: Be Cautious, Be Conservative and Lots of Teamwork. While the

Judy Ann (Paepke) Matzen, 68, Woodstock, died Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, at her home. She was born Jan. 4, 1947, to Walter and Margaret (Krug) Paepke in Waukesha, Wis. On Sept. 3, 1966, she married Karl Matzen in Muskego, Wis. She and her husband spent a lifetime together traveling, gardening, dancing to rock ‘n’ roll, singing folk songs with friends, cooking and bicycling. They were always a team. Their ultimate passion in life was for their two children and their five granddaughters. She was involved with Off Square Music, the McHenry County Bike Club and a “Healthy Eating” woman’s group. She was a personal banker for 14 years. Survivors include her husband; two children, Gerhard and Barbara; five grandchildren, Hannah,

Arthur Clarence Nelson, 90, Woodstock, died Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015, at Valley Hi Nursing Home, Woodstock. He was born June 7, 1925, to George and Myrtle (Sorensen) Nelson in Elk Mound, Wis. On Oct. 3, 1953, he married Edna Agnes Johnson in Boyceville, Wis. He was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church, Woodstock, and active in the Methodist Men’s Club. He enjoyed his work as a dairy farmer and loved being on the farm. He was an avid Cubs fan and enjoyed his time spent with friends at the coffee shop sharing stories. Mostly he loved his family and the times spent with them. Survivors include a son, Richard (Colleen) Nelson; a daughter, Cindy (Robert) Leverenz; five

Betty A. McSweeney Aavang, 83, Woodstock, died Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015, in Woodstock. She was born June 2, 1932, to Wilbur and Irene (Carraher) Bakke in Madison, Wis. On Sept. 6, 1958, she married James McSweeney in Madison. He preceded her in death Feb. 3, 1998. On Sept. 6, 2000, she was remarried to Victor Aavang. He preceded her in death Feb. 10, 2006. She and James moved to Woodstock from Hoffman Estates in 1991. She was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1955. She enjoyed traveling and experiencing everything the world has to offer. She was a member of the Woodstock Garden Club and the

Maria Heiser, 78, Woodstock and formerly of McHenry, died Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015, at JourneyCare Hospice Center – Woodstock. She was born May 2, 1937, to Heinrich and Margarete Kottusch in Berlin, but her childhood home was further east in the German region of Silesia (now western Poland). Quickly displaced by the war, she spent much of her formative years as a refugee. Post-war, she and her family settled into what would become East Berlin. As a teen, she openly protested the Russian occupation, her activities, in time, forcing the family to escape to the West — as luck would have it, just before the rise of the Berlin Wall. It was in U.S.-occupied West Berlin that she met an American

Maxine L. Frasier, 80, Woodstock and formerly of McHenry, died Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, in Woodstock. She was born Aug. 29, 1935, to Ira and Adeline (Wiser) Hyland in Canton, Wis. On Sept. 25, 1954, she married Russell L. Frasier in Chetek, Wis. She was an active member of the Eastern Star and was a Worthy Matron. She also was involved with the American Legion Auxiliary. She loved knitting and crocheting and tinkering on the computer but most of all loved spending time with her family. Survivors include four children, James (Chris) Frasier, Burbank, Dale (Kathy) Frasier, Easley, S.C., Kimberly Frasier, Woodstock, and Kay-Anne (David) Toppel, Elizabethtown, Ky.; six grandchildren, Amy (Jodey) Schmiedekamp, McHenry, Brent (fiancée Courtney) Frasier, Anderson, S.C., Tony (Charity) Frasier,

Sue Shaw, 69, Woodstock, died Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, at JourneyCare Hospice Center, Woodstock. She was born Oct. 18, 1945, to Arnold and Mary (Spitler) Macke in Clark County, Illinois.  On June 15, 1968, she married Lloyd Shaw in West Union. She graduated from the University of Illinois in 1967 with a degree in education. She taught for two years in Peoria and Champaign before taking a position with Woodstock School District 200 as an elementary teacher. She ended her career to stay home to raise her family. She remained very close to her sons all of her life. After they were grown she went back to work as a substitute teacher and later as librarian at Olson Elementary School. 

Richard E. Votava, 89, Woodstock, died Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, at Centegra Hospital – Woodstock, surrounded by his loving family. He was born July 31, 1926, to Edward and Judith (Jurcek) Votava in Chicago.  On Jan. 15, 1949, he married Mabel Becker in Wood Dale. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He worked as a plumber and was a member of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union Local 130. He loved the outdoors, and he and his wife enjoyed camping, hiking and traveling, especially in the Southwest desert region.  They lived in Marseilles for 20 years after Richard’s retirement and moved to Woodstock three years ago. He was a history buff and an avid reader.  Survivors include

Christopher Rockefeller “Kit” Klabunde, 80, Woodstock, died Friday, Aug. 14, 2015, at Autumn Leaves, Crystal Lake, surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. He was born July 12, 1935, to Christopher W. and Arline A. (Rockefeller) Klabunde in Woodstock.  On Nov. 23, 1957, he married the love of his life, Peggie L. Jensen, at the First Presbyterian Church, Woodstock. He served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960, stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He worked as a purchasing manager for Armin Industries in Elgin. He was a hard worker with strong values, and his work ethic and integrity were something he instilled in his family. He was an avid camper and

Norma Sue Oldenburg Young, 83, died Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, confident in her faith in God and the strength of the legacy that she leaves on earth.  Survivors include her husband, Fred Young, her high school sweetheart and soul mate; six children, Fawn (David) McDonough, Wendy (Don) Hall, John (Kimberly) Oldenburg, Beth (Jeff) Iverson, Meri (Alex) Duff and Gretch (Mark) Hladish; extended family, Cheryl, Matt and Richard Geier; 16 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a brother; two sisters; and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather; three sisters; and her first husband of 44 years, Richard “Ole” Oldenburg.  A memorial service and celebration of her life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at