In Memoriam: Jason Williams, CRNA (1971-2024)

Jason Robert Williams, CRNA, 52, passed away unexpectedly on May 22, 2024. Jason was born on August 8, 1971, in Portage, Wisconsin, to Fred and Judy Williams. Jason graduated from Baraboo High School in 1990 and continued his education at UW Madison.

Rather than attending his college graduation ceremony on May 27, 1995, Jason married his high school sweetheart, Heidi Ritzenthaler. The couple moved to LaCrosse, where Jason earned his Masters in Biology/Nurse Anesthesia and began his career at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. Jason and Heidi welcomed their son Connor in 2002, and Callista in 2005.

In Madison, Jason worked as a nurse anesthetist at UW Hospital for 15 years. During his 25-plus-year career, Jason’s top priority was always the safety and comfort of his patients. Outside of the hospital, his family witnessed him in action many times as he provided medical attention to people in need. Jason also participated in a medical mission trip to Honduras, where he provided anesthesia care for surgical patients.

Jason deeply loved his family. His travel highlight was joining his mother, Judy, in Africa in 2019, where his safety plan was to “be faster than the slowest person”… and he was. Jason enjoyed visiting the EAA Airventure Convention with his father, Fred. Jason enjoyed fast bike rides with his sister and patching her up when she wiped out. Jason always had the fastest car, the fastest boat, and the fastest bike, and if it wasn’t the fastest, you better believe he would tear that thing apart looking for more power. Jason spent time working on electronics with his son and loved watching his daughter participate in various sports. One of Jason’s favorite passions was fishing and hunting with his best friend, Eric (Karen) Taylor, and their children.

Jason is survived by his life-long love, Heidi; children, Connor and Callista; parents, Fred (Edie) Williams and Judy Williams; and sister, Jennifer (Mark) Rabata. He was the fun uncle to his niece and nephews, and an honorary brother and cousin to Heidi’s family. He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents, and his infant brother.

Private graveside services will be held for immediate family. A celebration of life will be held on August 11, 2024, in Baraboo. Additionally, a memorial fund has been established for the education of his children at Old National Bank in Madison.

For online condolences and details of the celebration of life, please visit www.farberfuneralhome.com.

This obituary was originally published on Legacy.com.