Madeline Kepner, beloved mother and friend, died peacefully in her sleep on the morning of Thursday, November 6, 2025. She was 98 years old.
Born in Raton, New Mexico, on September 28, 1927, Madeline made her home in New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
Madeline earned her bachelor’s degree from University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. She began her teaching career in a bilingual preschool in San Antonio, Texas. She earned her master’s degree from Northern Illinois University and went on to teach special education at DeKalb High School in DeKalb, Illinois.
After retiring from teaching, she moved to Chicago’s North Side, where she worked for Prudential. She loved jogging along the lakefront and enjoying the city’s rich cultural offerings.
In her late forties Madeline discovered a passion for canoeing and backpacking, exploring the wilderness around places like Lake Superior, the Rocky Mountains, and Pecos National Park. Her curiosity about the world inspired her to travel to Australia and New Zealand with her sister, and to Chichen Itzá and Machu Picchu with her daughters—always eager to learn, connect, and explore.
Madeline was a gentle activist, devoted to the causes she held dear: civil rights, women’s rights, peace, and the environment. She found renewal in nature, and her quiet strength inspired others to live with greater compassion and purpose. Her quick wit and humility made her a joy to be around—always ready to laugh, even at herself.
Madeline is survived by her children—Ruthe (Lee) Batulis, Deborah Stanage, Kelley Stanage (Chuck Avila), and Lisa (Don) Brosious, her grandchildren: Matt, Dave, and Mike Batulis, and Katlin Bradshaw, Mark Brosious, and Laura Leibrock, and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother, Ruth Whitford Kepner, father, John Clair Kepner, sister, Kathleen Thomson, and brother, John Kepner.
While her presence will be deeply missed by the family and friends who loved and respected her, Madeline’s gentle, kind, and playful energy will live on through all those she touched.
A favorite blessing by Thich Nhat Hanh reflected her spirit:
May you be free from suffering May you be at peace May you be happy
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the friends and caregivers who supported Madeline with compassion and love in her final years, especially to friends Alice Holstein and Bob Huff, as well as the staff at Bethany St. Joseph and Benedictine Villa.
A celebration of Madeline’s life will be held at 1:00 on Saturday, December 6 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in La Crosse, WI. Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family.
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