Obituary: Daniel L. “Dan” Schroedl, 82

Daniel L. “Dan” Schroedl, 82, of Whitewater passed away on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at his home.

Dan was born on November 1, 1941 in Whitewater to Anthony and Dorothy (Kyle) Schroedl, where he has lived and worked his entire life.

Dan retired from Hawthorn Mellody Dairy in 1992 after 18 years of service, after which he could pursue horses and hunting full time.

Dan was the recipient of numerous awards and trophies from his passions of rodeo, horsemanship, archery and hunting. Dan loved his time outdoors with Kathy, friends, family and pets Levi, Henry the Longhorn, Pepper, and Remington. Dan and Kathy especially enjoyed horseback riding trips with friends. When not on horses they enjoyed motorcycle rides with the local group. They were also known to get in the mud occasionally with the UTV.

Dan is survived by his son, Heath (Denise) Schroedl; four step-grandchildren, Aaron Pointon, Andy Pointon, Nicole Gilbert and Brad (Ruby) Gilbert; twelve step-great-grandchildren; three great-great-step-grandchildren; niece, Leanne (Michael) Storck; fiancé, Kathy Pusateri; stepchildren, Christina (Matthew) Legris, Carrie Steffen; and step-grandchildren, Trent Steffen, Aurora Legris, and Avery Legris.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony Schroedl and Dorothy (Kyle) Schroedl and uncle Dean C (Harriet) Hollinger.

Funeral services will take place at 12 p.m. on Friday, November 24, 2023 at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 North Newcomb St., Whitewater, WI 53190. Visitation will take place from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will immediately follow at Hillside cemetery.

Dan was a perfect representative of his favorite flower, the Thistle. Representing resilience, strength, determination, protection, and pride.

All donations to go to Rainbow Hospice.

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Obituary: Dr. John C. H. Oh, Ph.D., 89

Dr. John C.H. Oh, Ph.D., passed away peacefully at Oakwood Village, in Madison, Wisconsin on November 9, 2023. He was born in Korea as Chung-Hwan Oh in 1934. In the early 1950s, John came alone to the United States to pursue his dreams. In New York, he met the love of his life Joy (Kim Hie-Sook) whom he would marry in 1958, and together they built a life and family. John is survived by Joy, his wife of 65 years, who was at his side on his last day; daughters Ruth Oh (W. Fuji) and Elizabeth Oh Uglow (Jay); sons Dr. James Oh (Cheryl) and Dr. David Oh (Christina); and 8 grandchildren: Kathryn (Juan), Christopher, Jonathan, Justin, Timothy, Michael, Elizabeth and Allison.

He is also survived by brother Oh Chung-Sub (Baltimore); sister Oh Chung-Ae (Seoul); and sister Kim Chung-Bok (Rev. David Kim, Houston).

John valued the importance of education and was inspired by the American system of democracy. In 1955, he earned his B.A. from Florida Southern University and a Master of Arts from Southern Illinois University in 1956. In 1961, at the age of 27, John earned his Ph.D. from New York University. He was the original Dr. Oh of the family. John served, with distinction, as a Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the Department of Political Science, where he helped to establish the Public Policy and Administration Major and served as its first coordinator. In 1997, before retiring as an Emeritus Professor, John received a Governor’s Special Award in appreciation for his 35 years of dedicated service to the State of Wisconsin from the Honorable Governor Tommy Thompson.

From 2005 to 2022, John and his wife Joy lived as retirees in Temecula, California. In 2022, John and Joy returned to Wisconsin, residing at Oakwood Village in Madison. A Memorial Service will be held at the Oakwood East Tree of Life Chapel on Tuesday, November 21 at 3:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in John’s honor to the Oakwood Foundation (www.oakwoodfoundationinc.org). All Faiths Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.866allfaiths.com.

Obituary: William “Bill” A. Oliver, 61, of Janesville

William “Bill” A. Oliver, of Janesville, passed away unexpectedly at home on Monday, November 6, 2023 at the age of 61. Bill was born in Rice Lake, Wisconsin on March 10, 1962, the son of George “Jim” and Janice (Knudson) Oliver. After graduating from Stevens Point High School in 1981, Bill went on become an Officer with the Whitewater Police Department, serving from 1991 until his retirement in 2016. Bill married Irene (Nankya) Oliver on June 11, 2004 in Jefferson County, and they were blessed with a son, Andrew. In his retirement, Bill enjoyed working part-time at Enterprise Car Rental as a driver, and always looked forward to his time at the Lakehouse in Chippewa Falls with his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Irene Oliver; his son, Andrew Oliver; siblings: Cathy Corbeil, Marcus Oliver, Jonathan (Melissa) Oliver and Dave (Sheila) Oliver; mother in-law, Corney Derodra; six siblings in-law; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, George “Jim” and Janice Oliver; and his father in-law, Joseph Nsubuga.

A celebration of life gathering will be held on a later date. SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY is assisting his family. For online condolences and guestbook, please visit: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com

Obituary: Debra “Deb” A. Heiber, 70, of Roscoe Township, IL

Debra “Deb” A. Heiber, of Roscoe Township, IL, passed away on October 2, 2023, at the age of 70 years, at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics following complications from surgeries. She was with family members and comfortable at the time of her passing.

Deb was born on October 16, 1952, in Gary, Indiana; the daughter of Curtis H. and Alice M. Yule. She married Gary L. Heiber on May 27, 1972 in Elm Grove, Wisconsin. She graduated from Brookfield Central High School in Brookfield, WI. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1974 from Creighton University, including 3 years studying at Marquette University. Deb majored in English, minored in Spanish and received her secondary education teaching certification. She completed her Masters Degree in English and English Composition in 1978 at Marquette University. She continued taking many classes in Educational Administration, and had been in the educational field from 1974 until February 2016, 41 ½ years. Deb’s major positions were with the UW Center System/Rock County from 1982 to 1990. Then UW-Whitewater from 1990 until 2016. She was involved with developing many advising programs at Whitewater; first in the Registrar’s Office and then as Director of Advising in the College of Letters and Sciences.

Deb received 4 Academic Staff Excellence Awards at Whitewater. She was a founding member of WACADA (Wisconsin Academic Advising Association). They were a State Association of NACADA (National Academic Advising Association) founded in 1979. Deb was President-Elect of WACADA in 1997/98 and was President in 1998/99. She has received the 2002 WACADA Leadership Award. From NACADA, Deb received a Certificate of Merit in 1989, and in 1998 an Outstanding Advising Program Award, and in 2003, the Outstanding Advising Administrator Award.

Aside from advising students, Deb and Gary were longtime Marquette University Men’s Basketball fans, holding season tickets from 1970 to present, with the exception of three years when they lived in Nebraska. Deb spent many years following her son Mike’s activities in sports and music. After he was off to school, Deb became a part-time jewelry maker and sold jewelry in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, until her health interfered in 2021. She also enjoyed her time with her yoga group from North Pointe and was always an avid reader.

Deb is survived by her husband, Gary Heiber; her son, Michael “Mike” (Alyssa) Heiber of Cedar Park, TX; granddaughters, Mia J. and Clara V. Heiber of Cedar Park, TX; her sister, Christina (Phillip) Lear of Dade City, FL; and many extended family members and friends.

She is preceded in death by her father, Curtis H. Yule; and her mother, Alice M. (Yule) McGrew, who recently passed in 2021; two premature twins, Douglas and Emily, (who lived only a few days in 1981); her mother and father in-law, Carolyn and Donald Heiber;  and her stepfather, James McGrew.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME, 1800 E. Racine St., Janesville, WI, 53545; with a meal being served immediately following the service in the LIFE CELEBRATION CENTER at Schneider Funeral Home. For online condolences and guestbook, please visit: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com

Deb’s family would like to give a special thank you to the Palliative Care Floor at the University of Wisconsin Hospital. Additionally, an extra thank you to Kate and Tom Heiber-Cobb for their support in her last days and in helping organize her memorial service.

Obituary: Ronald R. “Ron” Bergsten, 84

Ronald R. “Ron” Bergsten died at home in Prairie Village, Whitewater, Wisconsin, on November 8, 2023.

Ron was born in DeKalb, Illinois, on January 29, 1939, the youngest of three sons born to Soender and Ruth Bergsten.

For the first eight years of his education, Ron attended the training school at Northern Illinois University, then called Northern Illinois State Teachers College. After attending four years at DeKalb Public High School, he returned to NIU, where he obtained Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Physics. He met and married his wife Nelda while at NIU. The couple celebrated 61 years of marriage last June.

He taught briefly at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. However, he was not comfortable with the climate in that area and sought employment in the Midwest. He was an Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for thirty years, serving as Department Chair for the last three years of his tenure in the Physics Department. He was a much respected and beloved professor by his students, as he was always willing to go “above and beyond,” especially in working with students in independent study.

Ron’s dearest love, after his family, was bowhunting, and he was quite successful at it, getting his first deer in northern Michigan when he was just fourteen years old. He hunted every year until he was well into his 60s, and got over 40 deer during that time. He also enjoyed fishing, and he and his wife, Nelda, spent two weeks every year at Red Lake, in northwestern Ontario, pursuing that sport.

Ron was also a gifted woodworker and handyman. He completed several remodeling and improvement projects on the home near Palmyra that he and Nelda purchased in 1965. He also built a large garage, which included a three-season sun room overlooking the pond created by a flowing well on the property, a two-car garage, and a large shop facility in which he could pursue his love of woodworking. He singlehandedly did all of the work on that building, including electrical and heating aspects, except that the cement foundation and driveway were poured professionally. He also built fine furniture, including two hutches which have graced their home for the past forty-plus years.

Ron was also an avid hiker and dog-lover, hiking/walking 25-30 miles every week, which included three miles or more every day walking the dog, and a weekly outing with a hiking group.

Ron loved all aspects of wildlife and especially appreciated birding. He built the duck houses that grace the ponds in Prairie Village. He also built a shelter for a memorial bench near the garden in Prairie Village.

After Nelda’s retirement, the couple spent a full summer touring Alaska in a small camping trailer and accompanied by their dog Cody. That same year the couple enjoyed their first of eight years as “winter Texans,” camping at Texas state parks in a fifth-wheel camping trailer and accompanied initially by their dogs Cody, and later Aki.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Neil Warren Bergsten and Lenn Alan Bergsten. He is survived by his wife, Nelda, of Whitewater; daughter Carmen and son-in-law Bevo LaRue of Panama City, Panama; daughter Vicki and son-in-law Howard Brantmeyer of Reedsburg, Wisconsin; granddaughter Jasmine Brantmeyer and Elijah Torres, and grandson Nicholas and Emily Brantmeyer; and great-grandchildren Cameron, Eli, Autumn and Aurora Brantmeyer, all of Stoughton, Wisconsin.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ron’s honor to the Humane Society of Jefferson County, or the Lakeland Animal Shelter.

Respecting his wishes, there will be no public service. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Obituary: David Harvey “Feedbag” Papcke, 90

David Harvey “Feedbag” Papcke

June 14, 1933~November 3, 2023

David H. Papcke “Feedbag,” 90, passed away Friday, November 3, 2023 at Vintage on the Ponds in Delavan, WI. He was born June 14, 1933 to Fred and Martha (Arndt) Papcke, in Whitewater, WI. the 4th of 11 children. Dave attended South Heart Prairie School, across the road from the family’s home farm where Dave would carry a bucket of water every day to school for 10 cents. The story is that his mother Martha spent more time in school than Dave did!

In the early 1950’s Dave would work for Earl Cook, owner of the Millard Feed Mill, Elkhorn. Dave’s neighbor Evelyn Schultz-Schultz would sit in her front porch and watch Dave go to work and come home. Dave acquired the nickname of “Feedbag” from Evelyn Schultz-Schultz as Dave’s job was hauling bags of feed to farmers in the area. In 1953 Dave was drafted in the United States Army Signal Corp. serving from 1953-1955, returning to the family farm. Dave would farm days and work nights at the Amphenol Borg Pile Fabric Division, Delavan, WI as a machine knitter. In 1972, the plant would close; Dave was asked to transfer to Georgia, and his reply was no! He would return to the family farm becoming a cash crop farmer, raising Black Angus Beef Cattle. Dave’s deer hunting career started at the age of 16 hunting with his oldest sister Marion. Dave enjoyed ice fishing, hunting turkeys, spending hours shooting gophers, cutting and splitting wood for the stove in his big red shed and his house and lots of “windshield farming.” “The code of the Prairie is you never go to town and come back home on the same road!” (Ask Craig, his partner in crime!)

Dave was one of the founding members of the Lauderdale-LaGrange Fire Department in 1959, was a member of the Millard Church, served on the board of the Millard Church, member of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, and a member of the NRA. On September 12, 2015, he enjoyed his Stars and Stripes Wisconsin Honor Flight with his nephew Jeff Papcke.

Dave is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barb of Elkhorn, WI. He is also survived by his daughter, Cindy of Elkhorn, WI; his grandchildren Angiejo (Chad) Fay of Ava, MO; Kristeen (Andrew) Jones of Janesville, WI; Alan (Danielle) Salzwedel of New Lisbon, WI; his great-grandsons Tavvin & Kore Dorsey of Ava, MO; step- granddaughter Leigh (Justin) Gulas of Lyndon Station, WI; great-great-grandsons, Castile & Axel Gulas of Lyndon Station, WI. He is also survived by his siblings Marjorie Roloff, Norman (Anita) Papcke, Doris (LeRoy) DeVries, Darvon (Betty) Papcke, Diane (Floyd Finney) Papcke; sister-in-law Janet Papcke; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Martha Papcke; his stepfather George Sherman; and his siblings Allen Papcke, Marion (Jerry) Harris, Arlene (Robert/Bud) Rowley, Carol (David/Dub) Agen, Jack Papcke; and brother-in-law Eric Roloff.

A Memorial Service will take place on Friday, November 17, 2023, at Millard Community Covenant Church, N6713 County Road O, Elkhorn, WI, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastors Chris and Sharon Nelson officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will take place at the South Heart Prairie Cemetery with Military Honors. A celebration of life luncheon will follow in the church Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Dave’s name to Agrace Hospice Care: 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711 or Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, P. O. Box 867, Menomonee Falls, WI 53052, or Millard Community Covenant Church, N6713 County Road O, Elkhorn, WI 53121. Arrangements are under the direction of Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Homes and Crematory of Elkhorn, WI. An online guestbook can be found at www.haaselockwoodfhs.com.

Obituary: Albert Frank Danz Sr., 93

Albert Frank Danz Sr. 93, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 29, 2023.

Albert was born on November 6, 1929, to Alma and Edward Danz. He married Joan Ellingsen on January 21, 1964. She preceded him in death on July 31, 2021.  Albert served his country in the United States Marines and was stationed in Korea shortly after the war. Albert enjoyed the great outdoors and his family.

He is survived by Children Albert Danz Jr. (Escanaba, MI), Charles Danz (Whitewater, WI), Grandchildren Tanner, Logan, Gabrielle (Steve) Tietz; Great-Grandchildren Ava, Everly, and Jaxon.

Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, November 5, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St., Whitewater, WI. Visitation will be held from 1:30 p.m. until the time of the service.

A special Thank You to the staff at Alden Estates in Jefferson and Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg for their amazing care towards dad. Online condolences may be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Obituary: Barbara L. “Barb” Reutell, 73

Barbara L. “Barb” Reutell, 73, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at her home after a long courageous battle with cancer.

Barb was born on September 10, 1950 in Wisconsin Rapids to Leonard and Laura (Prayne) Schladweiler.

Barb was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church.

She was an amazing woman that helped everyone she could. Barbara was a loving devoted wife, and a loving caring mother. She also loved her country and supported the veterans anyway she could.

Barbara is survived by her loving husband, Richard Reutell; children, James (Rhonda) Kempinski, Michael (Dani) Kempinski, Carrie (fiancé, Dan M) Baldwin; step-son, Eric Reutell; grandchildren, Johnathan (Sara) Baldwin, Brady Kempinksi, Arianna Kempinksi, CJ Kempinksi, Dayton Kempinksi, Haven Kempinksi, Harleigh Kempinksi; great-grandchildren, Ryleigh and Easton; siblings, Karen, Jeanette (Jim), and Dorothy.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Laura Schladweiler; six sisters; and two brothers.

A memorial service will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St., Whitewater, WI 53190.

Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Thank you and God Bless. Barbara is an angel watching over you! Memorials and flowers to family.

Obituary: Daniel P. Laursen, 56, of Beloit

Daniel P. Laursen, age 56, of Beloit, died Friday, October 27, 2023, at Beloit Memorial Hospital. He was born April 12, 1967, to Paul and Carol (Copeland) Laursen in Park Ridge, IL. Dan attended Whitewater High School and graduated from UW Platteville, with a degree in Education. He married Mia A. Zamecnik on September 14, 1991. Dan was a 4th grade teacher at Townview for 22 years. As an avid outdoorsman, Dan enjoyed biking, camping, hiking, and water skiing on Whitewater Lake. He also enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas and regional casinos. Dan will be remembered for his Lego set building abilities and being a Parrot head.

He is survived by his wife Mia; his three children, Timothy (Michelle) Laursen, Katrina (Dylan) Carlyle & Brianna Laursen; his parents, Paul (Carol) Laursen; his five grandchildren, Casey, Calvin, Colton, Kalani & Brynn; his sister, Ann (Mike) Pascavis; his brother, Brian (Carrie) Laursen; and many other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Roy Zamecnik.

Dan’s Funeral Service will be at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, in the BRIAN MARK Funeral Home, 1000 Inman Parkway, Beloit, WI with Chaplain Mark Maxted officiating. Friends will be received on Tuesday in the Funeral Home from 3:00 p.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being established. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared on our website.


BRIAN MARK FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE
1000 Inman Parkway, Beloit WI 362-2000
www.brianmarkfh.com

Obituary: Donna J. Henry, 90

On October 12, 2023, Donna J. Henry peacefully decided to go home to Jesus.

Donna was born on May 16, 1933. The only child of Mildred (McQuillen) and Harley Baker, she was born in a small house on Cravath St. in Whitewater, Wisconsin. She lived on the “East Side” and is still friends with many of her childhood friends. Her father owned his own business, as had his father, and her mother’s family was large and mainly farmers. Those family and business values flavored her attitudes and beliefs all of her life. Especially, in how she worked for the people of Whitewater. She was a child of the depression, reflected in her inability to throw anything away, and her generosity to those in need.

Donna graduated from the Whitewater City High School in 1951. She went on to get her bachelor’s degree in journalism from UW Madison. Summers she worked at the Whitewater Register. During her schooling, she realized that the role of a female reporter was to report on fashion and social events. That was not at all to her liking. She changed her specialty to advertising. She graduated in the spring of 1955. Upon graduation she worked at WTMJ in Madison.

In November of 1955, she married J. Philip Henry, whom she met her senior year in college. They lived in Madison, a block off of Randall Stadium, until Phil got a job with American Bitumals. They had a daughter, Jelaine, while in Madison. Phil’s was a job that required moving, and their next home was in Kirkwood, MO, where they had another daughter, Jane. Soon after they were moving to Libertyville, IL, and then on to Mundelein, IL. A son, Mark, was born during those years.

In 1962, life happened. Phil was diagnosed with narcolepsy. He no longer could be employed in a job that required so much travel. He went to Whitewater to learn the ins and outs of a motor vehicle business. With no business or technical training, it was quite an undertaking. Donna stayed in Mundelein with her 3 small children, until she would sell the house. Within a few months, she also was able to move in with her parents. It was a long period of adjustment to a total lifestyle change, medication and health issues, and the role changes inherent in being in a family business.

But, while Donna had left Whitewater for a short time, her love for Whitewater never left her. She threw herself into everything that interested her. While the children were young, she shared her interest in reading, antiques and furniture refinishing, and sewing with her mother. She also knitted, crocheted, and did needle work. She joined numerous organizations and participated in many civic services. She was a Girl Scout leader and on the board, taught Confirmation classes at First English Lutheran and was on the board there, joined the Lions Club with Phil, AAUW and was president for a time, Whitewater Historical Society, Federation of Women, Whitewater Food Pantry, CDA, Rental Association, Planning Commission, City Council, and helped with election days.

Once the kids were older, she also started working part time at Baker’s Garage, summers at the UWW Registrars Office, and for over 35 years at Home Lumber as Accountant/Office Manager. It was during that last job that she “adopted” a 3rd daughter, Jackie Hale.

In everything she did she remembered her roots and to be a voice for citizens who might not always speak for themselves. She was a force for small business. She really lived for these things. As with many older adults, the isolation of the COVID years was hard on her, and the telephone was literally her lifeline. If anyone wanted to perk her up, they just needed to talk about Whitewater. She was a wealth of knowledge that will be missed by many.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Mildred (McQuillen)and Harley Baker, in 1980 and 1981, and by her husband J. Philip Henry in 2015.

She is survived by her daughters Jelaine (Jim) Goehl, and Jane Henry (Johnny Soubrand), and her son Mark (Debra) Henry. Also by 9 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held on Wednesday November 15, 2023 at 2 PM at First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater. A visitation will be held from 1 PM until the time of the service at the church. Graveside services will be private. A Celebration of Life will follow the service at The Real MacCoys from 3 -6 PM in Cold Springs, WI.

Be prepared to share your stories and remembrances of Donna’s long life. In lieu of flowers or monetary gifts, donations would be appreciated to: Whitewater Food Pantry, Rainbow Hospice or the local Animal Shelter or Humane Society. The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Rainbow Hospice for their exceptional care for Donna.  The family would also like to give special thanks to all the good friends that came to see Donna. 

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com