Ann Stanke

Madison - Ann Stanke, 76, died peacefully on Wednesday, May 18, 2011, after a 22-month battle with ALS.
Born on May 7, 1935, in Madison to Clifford J. Calhoun and Olive L. (Sutton) Calhoun, Ann moved several times as a child because of her dad's work with the railroad before she, her parents, and her brother and sister settled once again in Madison.
Ann began playing piano at age 5 and by junior high and high school, was also playing the viola. She sang with a trio, acted on stage, accompanied her classmates on piano and immersed herself in what would become a lifetime of music. She graduated from Madison West High School in 1952, remained close to her classmates and helped organize class reunions until her death.
She won a four-year scholarship to the University of Wisconsin music school, auditioning on piano, voice, viola and French horn (which she learned because her high school band director, Ernest Stanke, was in need of a horn player) and became a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma; her sorority sisters would be friends all her life.
After college, Ann married, moved to Kansas and had a son, Craig. Following a divorce, Ann returned to Madison for good, and rekindled her friendship with her former teacher, Ernie Stanke. In 1961, they married, and daughter Kristin was born in 1962. The union, which also included stepson John Stanke and stepdaughter Sarah Stanke, would last nearly 25 years, until Ernie died.
Ann first learned of Madison Opera in 1961 when Arline and Roland Johnson founded the Madison Civic Opera. When the Johnsons learned that the company pianist had a lovely baritone voice, Ann assumed her position at the piano and accompanied performers for more than 40 years. She became involved in nearly every aspect of Madison Opera and volunteered to become its manager in the 1980s, doing so for four years until she was hired officially and named general director.
Earlier, she took various secretarial positions, working with the Madison Public Schools, and became a gifted writer who penned columns on the arts for the Madison Civic Music Association, the ""Capital Times"" and ""Brava"" magazine.
She also served as the keyboard specialist and violist for the Madison Symphony Orchestra and became the accompanist/manager for the Madison Symphony Chorus, a position she left only when ALS robbed her of her ability to play.
As general director of Madison Opera, Ann considered herself to be a member of an ensemble. To her, each chorus member was as important as the lead and every new musician was as critical to the whole as the featured artist. All her life, Ann fostered the growth of young singers and musicians, introducing many to a lifelong passion. The words, ""If it hadn't been for Ann I never would have ..."" are heard often.
One of Ann's greatest strengths was her ability to rise to the occasion, attacking any task with zeal and enthusiasm. The words ""it's impossible"" weren't part of her vocabulary.
Until her retirement in 2005, Ann helped more than 100 opera productions reach area stages, first in high schools, then in the Madison Civic Center and eventually, in the Overture Center for the Arts. On April 29, despite her physical challenges, Ann was in her box seat applauding when the company celebrated its 50th anniversary with ""La Traviata."" She was especially pleased that evening to introduce her grandson, Sean, to his first opera.
Ann's proudest achievement came in 1993, when Madison Opera commissioned the world premier of ""Shining Brow,"" based on the life of Frank Lloyd Wright. The event garnered international attention, with the company's triumph receiving mention in the ""New York Times"" and the ""London Times.""
Madison Opera became a shining star among regional companies, and Opera America, the prestigious national service organization for opera, asked Ann to serve on its board. She did so for more than a decade and just weeks ago, Opera America honored her by purchasing a plaque in her honor that will forever grace the walls of its new 25,000-square-foot National Opera Center in New York City.
Ann was also responsible, with Madison Opera artistic director John DeMain, for launching ""Opera in the Park"" in 2002. This free event, held every summer, introduces thousands to opera.
Ann received numerous awards including two Best of Arts in Madison awards from ""Madison Magazine"" magazine, a career award from Opera America, the Madison Community Foundation Leadership Award (with Roland Johnson), Downtown Rotary's Senior Citizen award and the 2008 Distinguished Alumni award from the Madison Foundation for Public Schools. She also served on the board of RSVP and was a longtime member of Madison Breakfast Rotary, serving as its president for a term.
When Ann retired from Madison Opera, a foundation was started in her name. Beginning next year, an opera each season will be underwritten partially by her foundation.
Outside of opera circles (and within them as well), Ann was as down-to-earth as they come, delighting people with her wicked sense of humor and lighting up a room with her smile. As comfortable in a Rose Bowl sweatshirt as she was in a sequined gown, Ann was known to cut a rehearsal short so everyone could get home in time to watch the Packers play.
Her compassion, her contagious sense of humor and her generosity were legendary. Nothing made her happier than finding the perfect gift for someone. Giving - in every sense of the word - was what she did.
She was loyal beyond measure and enjoyed hundreds of friendships with an eclectic group of cherished individuals.
Strength in the midst of adversity was one of her greatest traits. Devastated by her ALS diagnosis, Ann still maintained her delightful sense of humor and laughed often.
When not making music, she watched sports of every kind, played board and card games, took the occasional jaunt to Las Vegas or Ho Chunk - sure a jackpot was just around the corner - and watched her beloved ""Days of Our Lives.""
She and her sister, Ginny, hosted a garage sale every Labor Day weekend for more than three decades, and the event became legendary, growing to feature the trash and treasures of more than 20 people. Portions of the proceeds were donated to Madison Opera.
Above all, she loved spending time with her family and was an incredible mother and grandmother. Those of us lucky enough to call her ""mom"" know we hit the jackpot.
She would not want us to despair over our loss but would prefer we celebrate her life. Although we can't see her now, she is right here with us. She will live forever in our hearts.
Ann is survived by her daughter, Kristin Erickson (Michael Baek), her grandsons, Sean Michael and Brady Ernest; her son Craig Stanke, granddaughter Alyson Kathryn and grandson Eric Robert Ernest; her stepson, John Stanke (granddaughter Jenna Stanke) and her stepdaughter, Sarah Stanke (granddaughter Erica Smith). She is also survived by her nephews, Jim, Jeff, Joel and Jay Nania and by cousins Harold and Warren Rebholz.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Olive and Clifford Calhoun, her brother, Eugene Calhoun, her sister, Virginia Nania, her nephew, John Nania, and her husband, Ernest Stanke.
She is further survived by Madison Opera, which will soar into its 51st season later this year.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent in her name to Madison Opera or to the ALS Association c/o Kristin Erickson, 2420 Evans Road, McFarland, WI 53558. Services will be held on Tuesday, May 24 at Cress Funeral Home on Speedway Road, Madison. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. The service will take place at 1 p.m. with burial following. Mom and Granny, we couldn't love you more.