Pauline L. Alexander

Benton, Wisconsin The beautiful soul of Pauline Louise (Kearns) Alexander, 81, of Benton, Wisconsin, found peace and rest on Friday, November 11, 2011, at Southwest Health Center Nursing Home in Cuba City. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 15, 2011, at St. Patrick’s Church in Benton with Rev. David Flanagan officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 3-8 p.m. Monday at Casey Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Benton where the parish rosary will be at 2:45 p.m. Friends may also call from 8:30-9:45 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home before the service. Pauline and her twin Paul were born on March 12, 1930, to Viola (Bockenthein) and John Tierney Kearns in what is today the home of her beloved son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Sally Alexander, in Benton. She was a life-long resident and much respected community member, devoting countless hours to various church, community and county organizations. Pauline attended Benton High School and was a proud alumnus who loved attending the annual Alumni Banquet. She later enrolled at UW-Platteville where she took art courses and produced beautiful original paintings of the things she loved: her family and her community. Pauline happily devoted over 25 years as the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church religious education coordinator, leading, teaching and guiding countless young people in learning about and growing in their faith. She also served on the Parish Council for a number of years, sang in the choir and attended Mass at every opportunity. Pauline also became the unofficial docent in knowledge and promotion of Father Samuel Mazzuchelli in the effort to grant him sainthood. She was a member of the Fr. Mazzuchelli Beatification Commission and she cleaned and cared for his restored home, conducting tours and educating many on his life and works. She worked diligently to promote his elevation to sainthood and was proud of the fact that her great-great-grandfather had removed the chain of penance from Fr. Sam’s waist when he died. She was a revered leader in community organizations such as the Benton Community Development Corporation and Swindler’s Ridge Museum as well as a tireless worker for such traditions as the Benton Labor Day celebration. Pauline also served as a Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader when her children were scouts. She took great joy in being a grandma to children enrolled in the Head Start program where she played with and read to them as if they were her own. Pauline and her husband Jack were also the unofficial #1 fans of the Benton High School football and basketball teams and supported and loved the athletes as their own children. Pauline also served on the Lafayette County Council on Aging and actively contributed to county development efforts through the Tri-State Tourist Council. She and Jack managed Cole Acres Country Club in Cuba City in 1971 and 1972. Pauline’s great achievement and joy in her life was her family for whom she had demonstrated daily her unconditional love and support. She married John T. “Jack” Alexander on November 5, 1947, in Dubuque, Iowa, and was married to him for 62 years until his death in June 2009. She is survived by her children, Linda of Verona, Mark (Kay), of Madison, Alan (Sally), of Benton, David, of Hillsboro, JoAnn (Jim) Malmgren, of Plymouth, MN; and Patricia (Gary) McCauley, of Lodi; a daughter-in-law, Carol Alexander, of Benton; her grandchildren, Lisa (Rick) Lawrence, Amy (Kurt) Timmerman, Aaron (Cari), Leigh (Jesse) Braun, Christopher (Amanda), Timothy, Michelle (Dean) Wilson, Michael (Robyn), Melissa Brown, Julie (Aaron) Coorough, Andrew, Patrick, Greggory Malmgren, Nicholas Malmgren, Curtis McCauley, and Rebecca McCauley; her great-grandchildren, Emma, Will and Nate Lawrence, Anna and Alyse Pauline Alexander, Paige, Kaden and Evan Alexander, Jessica (Chas) Featherston, Alysha Alexander, Cadin Cook, Carter and Abby Coorough, Jordan and Kylie Alexander, and Kiara and Ethun Brown. She is also survived by a sister, Kathryn (Kearns) Hayes-Rissman, of Chicago,IL; a sister-in-law, Mary Jo Bancroft, of New Port Richey, FL; a brother-in-law, Howard Hull, of Platteville; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her parents; her twin brother, Paul; her sister, Joan Hull; her beloved son, Michael; an infant daughter, Mary Jo; and a grandson, Kyle. A Pauline L. Alexander Memorial Fund has been established. Mom, rest in the peace and the knowledge that your life’s work was personified in the many acts of love you performed every day and the faith you lived. We will always love you.