Obituaries

John Martin Longseth John Martin Longseth, Fitchburg, who you may have known as Dad, Uncle John, Papa John, Johnny Long, Mr. Long, Coach, or as the guy who threw you bubble gum and then flipped you the bird as a sign of “HI”, cashed in his God points with a peaceful passing on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at the Palliative Care Unit of UW Hospital where he experienced exceptional care on his last three days of earthly struggles from kidney failure. Due to genetics beyond his control, he often stated that he was the healthiest bipolar recovering alcoholic around. On September 8, 1985, he made the decision to lead a sober life but that doesn’t mean that he always took his 75 years of life seriously. John was born to Lester and Hilda (Johnson) Longseth on January 29, 1946. His father passed away in 1950 after which his mother raised him with great prayerful patience in Spring Green on Cincinnati Street. He often remarked on the safety of that simple upbringing playing baseball and basketball while wearing vintage converse tennis shoes. He mowed lawns and shoveled sidewalks to provide him with his extra treats and to buy baseball cards. The only grudge he held against his beloved mother was that she gave or threw away those card treasures. John was a very bright and musical boy. He sang solos at church and in school programs and played a mean baritone horn. He attended Spring Green High School until his junior year when River Valley was consolidated. He participated in baseball and track there but exceled with his jump shot in basketball where his Converse tennis shoes took him to great heights earning MVP honors. John was a self-taught golfer and enjoyed this sport all of his life including stints as golf coach at his alma mater where he taught ninth through 12th graders math in ways that almost anyone could, if not master, at least pass the course. John was the Salutatorian of the River Valley Class of 1964. After a brief stint at UW-Madison, John joined the United States Air Force in 1966 where, while stationed in South Dakota, he met and married Pam Crawford. His only son, John Paul (Kelly McKeon), was born from this union. He returned to finish his college education at UW-La Crosse where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in math. John taught his whole career at River Valley High School where he treasured work and coaching experiences for both his son’s growing up years as well as many young girl basketball players. He was a fair-minded coach of several boys golf teams at RVHS. He gave every single student an equal chance for success in and out of the classroom often mentoring in life skills that had nothing to do with math or athletics. In retirement John was a starter at Yahara Hills where he enjoyed joking with the many people he met there. John is survived by his son, JP (Kelly McKeon); and his precious grandsons, Jordan, Mason, and Brayden; his siblings and/or spouses, Leroy (Elaine) Longseth, Buzz Beatty, Jim Hackl, and Linda (Marty) Kraemer; many nieces and nephews who loved him very much. John was predeceased by his parents and beloved siblings and their spouses, Betty (Roger) Wilhelm, Jean Beatty, Doris (Edward) Crook, and Carolyn Hackl. John’s life will be celebrated at the Christ Lutheran Church, Spring Green, on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, with visitation at 9:30 a.m. until the service led by Pastor Kirsten Mueller at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hackett Hemwall Patterson Foundation, Inc. or the Christ Lutheran Church. JP would like to thank John’s niece Julie (Bob) Olson who has been incredibly helpful the past two years with John’s health care and his niece Chris Crook Severson who kept him well fed. “God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change: the Courage to change the things I can; and the Wisdom to know the difference.” Online condolences available at www.staffordfuneralhomes.com.  The Richardson-Stafford Funeral Home in Spring Green is assisting the family with the arrangements.