Madelyn John passed away peacefully on the morning of March 20, 2025, the first day of spring. She would have loved that her transition coincided with the seasons. Madelyn (Sunny) John was born in Fond du Lac, WI in 1926, the daughter of Marvin and Doris (nee Schuessler) Sund. As an only child, Sunny enjoyed the attention of her maternal grandma, uncles and aunts that lived nearby. She reminisced about laughing around the table with her uncles. At an early age, Sunny began going to the movies with her Aunt Martha, often seeing double features. Together, they admired the actors, the stories, and the costumes.
In middle school, Sunny moved with her parents to Kenosha, WI, where she spent her high school years. It was in Kenosha that she met Robert John, dating all through high school. Sunny loved participating in theatre productions and humorous declamation. She would reminisce about starring opposite Rob in a production of Murder Mansion.
Rob and Sunny were married in Geneva, NY, in 1945, where Rob was stationed while serving in the Navy. His navy buddies were the wedding party! Sunny carried purple violets. They moved back to Wisconsin in 1946, when they were expecting their first child, and settled in Waukesha. Sunny and Rob had three children, Christine (Richard) Watson, Curtis (Georgene) John and Margaret Jankowski (Peter Horisberger). Sunny and Rob lived in Waukesha for decades, where Sunny nurtured deep friendships, contributed to her faith community at the First Congregational Church and volunteered for numerous community organizations, while raising her three kids.
In 1991, Sunny and Rob retired to their beloved cabin on Lake Michigan, where they created new friendships. The two of them loved gazing at the lake, watching the seasons change and celebrating the return of the hummingbirds. Sunny and three friends learned Mah Jong together and played every Monday.
Sunny had an uncanny eye for beauty, whether in nature, clothing, interior design, books or music. She could create beauty out of anything and kept a bucket, clippers and rubber boots in the trunk of the car, just in case she saw something growing on the side of the road that she might need for a design. Her flower arrangements were stunning. Sunny always said, “anywhere you look in a home, your eye should rest on something interesting and beautiful.”
Sunny loved children and delighted in teaching kids and encouraging their learning. For those lucky enough to have been a child in her presence, you were blessed. Sunny gave her full attention and really listened to kids. She was patient and allowed children to explore and learn with gentle guidance. Sunny believed that tender attention was the greatest gift you could give a child.
Sunny adored and celebrated her grandchildren, Catharine, Daniel, Zeke, Alec and Maddie, and her great-grandchildren, Levi, Mariah, Noah, Ivy, Zaida, Hattie and Lidey. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert John, her grandson, Ezekiel John, and her son-in-law, Walter Jankowski.
Our family is so grateful for the kindness of Agrace Hospice and the Waterford Staff. If you wish to make a memorial to Sunny, please make a donation to a nonprofit that helps people and/or creates beauty. Sunny would love knowing that her legacy of kindness lives on.