Toni Jo Rochon

Dodgeville – Toni Rochon, age 64, passed away Wednesday, January 4th, 2023 in Madison at St. Mary’s hospital in her daughter’s loving arms. She was born on January 24, 1958 in Dodgeville, WI, daughter of Raymond “Dutch” and Betty (Vivian) Schmit. She was raised in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, where she attended school with the class of 1976. She met her husband, Kenneth Rochon, in 1981 and moved to Dodgeville in 1984. Together they had two children that she absolutely adored, Cory in 1984 and Katie in 1989, with the addition of being blessed with an extra daughter, Andrea in 1977, from Ken’s previous marriage. Toni devoted 42 years of her life to Upland Hills Nursing and Rehab Center and loved every day of it. She started out as a CNA when she was 16 and then decided activities was where her heart belonged. Boy, did she ever make the right choice there; she brought so much joy and hope and love to the residents, their families, and the entire staff at the NRC. She has touched countless lives and has forever impacted those who were lucky enough to get to work with her. She loved sharing her time with others and was someone you could always depend on showing up. Whether it meant attending events she was invited to, showing up to show her support to others in need, having drinks on the patio, mingling downtown, or going shopping and meeting her friends for lunch. Her dog, Kayda, kept her busy with the tennis ball outside while her cats, Gracie and Charlie gave her all the snuggles and cuddles she could ask for. Every May she planted annual flowers all around the house and planted her garden, she loved her new raised garden bed so much. She always looked forward to adventures that her and her husband would take throughout the year and they made a great team around the house too. She loved sharing love and she was one of the best at making you feel special and accepted. Toni is survived by her husband Kenneth Rochon; her daughter Katie Smith (Brian); her step-daughter Andrea Cox (Damian); her granddaughter Alexis Cox; her brothers Gary Schmit and Terry “Rufus” Schmit; her sister Mary Triggs (Fred); her sister and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and many other friends and relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond “Dutch” Schmit and Betty (Vivian) Schmit, her brothers Bobby Jones and John (“Dutch”) Schmit, her mother-in-law Magdalen Rochon, her brothers-in-law Paul Rochon, Dave Rochon, and John Yager, her nephew Adrian and niece Naomi, and the one she was waiting most to see, her son and baby boy Cory Rochon. A private visitation with family and Nursing and Rehab Staff will be held on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at the GORGEN-McGINLEY & AYERS FUNERAL HOME in Dodgeville. A Celebration of Toni’s life will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the DODGER BOWL in Dodgeville. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be given in Toni’s name to the Iowa County Cancer Coalition, PO Box 36, Cobb, WI 53526.

Toni Jo Rochon

January 24, 1958 - January 4, 2023