Alfredo Chapa “Al” Peña

Mazomanie--Alfredo Chapa “Al” Peña, age 89, of Mazomanie, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Monday, February 3, 2025. He was born on May 30, 1935, in Mercedes, Texas, the son of the late Pedro and Margarita (Chapa) Peña. Al graduated from Mercedes High School in 1954 and traveled to Wisconsin to visit family. A visit became forever when he met his beautiful wife, Karen. They were married on August 16, 1958, at St. Barnabas in Mazomanie. Together they raised three children, Mike, Peggy and Michele, in the home they bought from Karen’s grandparents. He worked as a talented mason for his career. Al loved to reminisce, and his family enjoyed hearing his stories. Favorites include experiences from his time in the U.S. National Guard and in the Naval Reserves, as a Dane County Deputy Sheriff, memories of his home talent days, stories from growing up in Texas and tales from his job. An avid sports fan, he was always up for a spirited conversation about the Brewers and the Packers. Upon his retirement, Al stayed busy with projects around the home, visiting Mike and Kia’s to cut wood, gardening, woodworking, hunting and fishing. Alfredo is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Karen; children, Michael (Kia) Peña, Margarite “Peggy” Peña and Michele (Alfredo) Castro; grandchildren, Koah (Dan) Orth, Joshua Parkin, Miguel Castro, Janel Dailey and Nicolas Castro; great-grandson, Alex Orth; as well as his siblings, Amado Hernandez, Maria de la Luz (“Mary”) Peña, Ronald (Elizabeth) Peña and Sharon (Richard) Wright; and many nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his parents; brother, Pedro Peña; an infant brother; parents-in-law, Anna and Clinton Sheldon; as well as sister-in-law, Fran Dublin. Per the family’s wishes, there will be a private family gathering. The family wishes to extend a big thank you to Agrace Hospice and all of Al’s loving care team for the wonderful care they provided and to Gunderson Funeral Home for their kindness. Special thanks to his granddaughter, Koah (our Earth Angel), for the care and comfort she provided during his final days. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.   Gunderson Black Earth Funeral & Cremation Care 1710 Center Street (608) 767-3684