Kathryn Beryl Sutton's Obituary
Kathryn Beryl Sutton (Kernan) I was born on March 14, 1914 at 103 Livingston Street in Madison, Wisconsin to my parents James (Barney) B. Kernan and Florence Kernan (Smith). Barney and Florence had already had one son Phillip, who was born in 1910. Two years later in 1916, they had another son John, whom we called Jack. We were all born into the Catholic Church except for John, but later left the church over a medical issue surrounding Florence at the time of my birth. In 1918, my father Barney contracted the Spanish Influenza and died, leaving my mother Florence to raise three children. Prior to his death, Barney had worked for the Southern Wisconsin Foundry and Florence worked at the Tobacco warehouse in Madison. After Barney’s death, Florence became a beautician and had her own shop on Monroe Street. In the early 1920’s, my mother had met Emmet Cullen and subsequently married him in July of 1924. Our family moved to Belleville, WI where our family owned and operated a restaurant. We were eventually driven out of the area by the Klu Klux Klan due to the fact that Emmet and my mother Florence were Catholics. My parents then moved us back to Madison, WI where they had another child in 1934, Robert Cullen. I graduated from Madison East High School in 1931. I then went on to the University of Wisconsin Madison where I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in 1936. I was initiated as a member into the Alpha Kappa Delta Sorority and the National Honorary Sociological Fraternity. After college, I worked for the Child Welfare Department of Madison through much of the Depression servicing the area known as “The Bush.” On June 20, 1936 I married Joseph Randolph Sutton Jr. He was working for Bancroft Dairy in Madison at the time as a milkman. The other milkmen escorted us around the capital square in a parade of their milk trucks to celebrate our wedding. A short time later, Joe entered Tri State College in Angola, IN to earn an engineering degree. When World War II broke out he was graduated early. He was commissioned as Lieutenant (jg) and served in the Mediterranean and Pacific theatres. My Joe was the captain of the PC543 in the Mediterranean where he received many commendations. I traveled the country waiting for notice of when and where he would be returning to the states. Joe returned from active duty in 1945. He was discharged from military reserve in 1948 as a result of injuries sustained from war. In 1949, I earned my Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin Madison and became a Charter Member of NASW. Prior to earning my Masters we had the first two of our three children, Joseph Randolph Sutton III in 1945 and Denis Jon Sutton in 1947. Our third, Victoria Ann Sutton, came after graduation in 1953. My husband Joe worked for Plibrico in the late 1940’s and early 50’s. I stayed home with the kids as Joe started his own business, J.R. Sutton Construction Company. We lived on the west side of Madison, 1410 Seminole Highway from the late 1950’s thru the 70’s. The kids went to Nakoma, Cherokee, and Madison West High schools. In the late 1950’s, Joe also became ill. I decided to go back to work with the American Red Cross and then for Dane County. I had the marvelous opportunity and pleasure to work with Judge Erwin Brunner and Judge Daniel R. Moeser, among other great judges. With their wisdom and guidance, I set up the Dane County Family Court Counseling service which continued until my retirement in 1981. I thank you Joanie Miller, Betty Lou Anderson, and Kathy Jeffords as well as others for having been with me throughout that wonderful opportunity. We were able to help families throughout troubled marriages or break-ups and help point kids in a positive direction. Due to my work with the families and courts I was nominated, accepted, and written into Who’s Who in American Women, a book published by Marquis Who’s Who in 1972. Prior to my retirement, Joe and I moved from Madison to spend time at our cottage on Lake Koshkonong in the Town of Albion. Tiring of winter, we moved to Florida to in the fall of 1981 just as our first granddaughter Erin Sutton was born. A short while later my Joe contracted many health issues, fell ill, and died on November 30, 1984. I have lived at our residence within Continental Country Club in Wildwood, FL since that time. I have lived a long and wonderful life, with exceptional experiences both at home and at work. I leave this world with no regrets but full of memories of many whose lives I’ve impacted as well as a wonderful family. I have been preceded in death by my parents James Kernan, Florence and Emmet Cullen, and by my two brothers Phil and Jack. I also lost a dear friend in 2010, Walt Greenia, who had helped me through the many years after my Joe’s death. I am survived by my three children Joseph, Denis, and Victoria along with their spouses. I have nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. My son Joseph Randolph III of Manitowoc, WI has given me Shannon, Kerrie, and Joseph Randolph IV. My son Denis of Wautoma, WI has given me Erin and Dane. Finally, my youngest Victoria of Howell, MI has given me Kelli, Kyle, Kourtney and Katie (who has given me my great-granddaughter Kendyll). Additionally, I am survived by my younger brother Robert Cullen MD, retired in Fond Du Lac, WI. I passed away on July 6, 2011. I will follow my dear Joe to the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bushnell, FL to be buried alongside him. I have had a great ride. I would like to give a special thanks to the wonderful care of Comfort Keepers and to Rose Merriman, a dear friend who kept me in my home as my legs failed. In my final days, compassionate employees of Cornerstone Hospice provided me the care I needed to take me to my Joe. Page Theus Funeral Home of Leesburg, FL is handling the arrangements for my internment at the national cemetery beside my beloved. In the end, “There have been ups and downs, but it’s been exciting, and I’ve had a great ride.”
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