Obituary: Mary L. Isaacsen, 78, of Palmyra

Mary L. Isaacsen, 78, of Palmyra, WI passed away on Monday, October 2, 2023 at Waukesha Memorial Hospital with her loving family by her side.

She was born on October 13, 1944 in Whitewater, WI the daughter of Frank and Caroline (Rebenstorf) Kligora. She grew up in the Whitewater area and graduated from Whitewater High School in 1962. On February 18, 1967, Mary was united in marriage to David P. Isaacsen at the Palmyra United Methodist Church and the Lord blessed their union with four sons, Mark, John, William, and Michael. Mary and David enjoyed 28 years of marriage together until David’s passing in 1995. Mary was very involved in her local community. She was a member of the Palmyra Lioness for a number of years and was a long-time member of the Palmyra United Methodist Church. She also served as Sexton of the Hillside Cemetery of Palmyra for more than 50 years and took pride in caring for the cemetery. Mary was a caring person and never hesitated to help a friend or neighbor in need. Above all else in Mary’s life was her love for her family. She was a loving wife and mother and a very proud grandmother. Some of her best times were spent crafting, baking cookies and making Christmas wreaths with her children and grandchildren. In her younger years, she and David made many wonderful memories in Northern Wisconsin. Mary was a good lady and she will be deeply missed by those she leaves behind. 

She is survived by: her four sons, Mark (Kelly), John (Amy), William (Toni) and Michael (Cindy); her grandchildren, Brady, Blake, Rachel, Owen, Ryan (Alexis), Griffin (Ashly), Jeremy (Emilie), Miranda (Alec), Jacob (Crystal), Jameson, and Shaina; her great-grandchildren, Addelyn, Raegan, and Finnegan; her honorary grandchildren, Jestine, Alyssa, and Makenna; and her siblings, Jeanette (Jim) Elliot of Delavan, WI, Frank (Elaine) Kligora of Milton, WI, Donald (Carolyn) Kligora of Whitewater, and Harvey (Debbie) Kligora of Caledonia, WI. She is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by: her parents, and her loving husband, David. 

Memorials in Mary’s honor may be made to the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Jefferson County, WI (ADRC) to be used in the Transportation Department, or the Hillside Cemetery of Palmyra, WI. 

A funeral visitation will take place from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at the Gibson Family Funeral Home in Palmyra, WI. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, October 6, 2023 at the Palmyra United Methodist Church. Visitation will take place on Friday from 9:00 AM until the time of service at the church. Mary will be laid to rest next to her husband in Hillside Cemetery of Palmyra, WI immediately following the funeral service. 

Gibson Family Funeral Homes of Palmyra and Eagle, WI is serving the family. To place an online condolence please visit gibsonfuneral.com

Obituary: James L. Davis, 85

James L. Davis, 85, Whitewater, passed away on Sunday, October 1, 2023, at Hearthstone Memory Care in Whitewater, WI.

Jim was born on February 3, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois to Roy and Grace (Jamison) Davis. He graduated from Lane Tech High School in Chicago. He was employed as a salesperson for SMC Corporation. Jim enjoyed fishing and was quite a history buff. His granddaughter says he loved being the lady’s chauffeur. He married Veronica Trees in Villa Park, Ill in 1989. She preceded him in death on August 31, 2009. Jim was a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ in Whitewater.

He is survived by his children Shawn (Sue) Girtz, McHenry, IL and Melissa Burmeister of Indiana; grandchildren Trisha Davis, Samantha (Brad) Severin, Julia Girtz and Nicholas Burmeister; great-grandchild Miles Severin. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and daughter Stephanie Luengen.

A Memorial Service with Rev. Dr. David McDonald officiating will be held on Friday, October 6, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Nitardy Funeral Home 550 N. Newcomb St. Whitewater, WI 53190. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorials may be made to the Stephanie Luengen Foundation. Online condolences may be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Obituary: Gerald William Lehto, 88 (Updated with arrangements)

Gerald (Gerry or Jerry) William Lehto, aged 88, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2023 surrounded by loved ones, at Hearthstone Memory Care at Fairhaven Senior Services, Whitewater, WI.  He was born on December 13, 1934, in Ironwood, Michigan, to Ebba and Archibald Lehto and later developed a close relationship with his step dad, Leo Sweeney.  He graduated from Bayview High School, Milwaukee and completed a Junior Accounting Course at Spencerian College.   He served in the Army from 1955-1957, marrying Alice M. Hoffman in October of 1955, in Milwaukee, while on leave. They raised a loving family in Racine, where he worked as an Accountant for Racine Steel Castings.  Upon retiring in 1993, he was recognized for 31 years of dedicated service.  He is survived by his loving children Karen (Steven Armstrong), Janet (Joseph Cunningham), Ronald Lehto, and Gail (Thomas Zugger); his grandchildren Diane (Kurt Rasmussen), Devon Armstrong, Lauren (Austin Cary), Michael Cunningham, Jordan and Jacob Lehto, Nathan Zugger; his great-grandchildren Isabelle and Oliver Rasmussen; and stepchildren and step-grand and great-grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Ebba Sweeney, his first wife Alice M. (Hoffman), his second wife Patricia (Shears), as well as in-laws, stepchildren, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and a nephew.   

Family, friends, and others are invited to a Celebration of Life at the Olm Fellowship Hall at Fairhaven Senior Services, 435 W. Starin Rd., Whitewater, on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. A gathering with family to start at 10 a.m. with an 11 a.m. celebration of life to share stories and to reminisce and honor the life of Jerry.  The family wants to thank the wonderful care given by the staff at Hearthstone and Rainbow Hospice. In lieu of flowers one could make a donation to The Fairhaven Foundation, Rainbow Hospice Care, or the American Red Cross of Wisconsin.  

To view Jerry’s full obituary with service information and to share on line condolences, please visit: https://nitardyfuneralhome.com/ 

Obituary: Marcia Light Pomplun, age 66

Marcia Light Pomplun, age 66, passed away on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at UW Hospital in Madison with her devoted husband by her side. Her passing followed a valiant battle with a sudden, devastating illness.

Marcy’s courage and determination over her last three weeks were unsurprising to those who knew her. For years, she had been stoic and uncomplaining about the multiple sclerosis (MS) that had progressively robbed her of her mobility and imposed other limitations and chronic pain. Her intelligence, kindness, sense of humor, and deep love for her family always shined through despite her health challenges.

She was a loving mother to sons Sam and Nick and their partners Colleen and Nina, and a warm, attentive grandmother to Silas, Cora, Ellis, and Sunny. Her interests included hiking in the National Parks when she was still able, as well as art, literature, music, Jeopardy, dogs, nature, and progressive causes. She was a big fan of the Milwaukee Brewers and the UW volleyball and basketball teams.

Marcia Light was born March 30, 1957, to the late Raymond and Zenobia Light in Whitewater, Wisconsin, where she grew up. Known as a talented musician and pianist, she graduated from high school near the top of her class. Marcy earned a bachelor’s degree in bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1979.

She married her high school sweetheart, Steve Pomplun, in August 1979. They lived in Janesville, Sun Prairie, and Black Earth before buying a 1904 folk Victorian house on Madison’s near-east side in 1989, which they restored over the next 26 years and in which Sam and Nick grew to adulthood.

Marcy was an accomplished and collaborative science professional who spent her career in research at UW-Madison. After working in a bacteriology lab for many years, she took a position at the Carbone Cancer Center, performing high-level analyses in support of Phase I cancer research. She retired in 2015 due to the progression of her MS. She and her husband moved to a more accessible home near New Glarus in 2015.

She is survived by husband Steve, sons Sam (Colleen Frey-McGovern) and Nick (Nina Knorr); grandchildren Sunny, Silas, Cora, and Ellis; brothers Mark (Vicki) Light and Alan (Kathleen) Light; siblings-in-law Tom (Georgene) Pomplun, Nancy (Dave) Cummings, Alan (LeeAnn) Pomplun, and Kris (David) Doorn; many beloved nieces and nephews; lifelong friends Anna DeWind Walls, Marsha Beste, and Kari Fox; and countless other heartbroken relatives and friends.

At Marcy’s request, memorial services will be small and private. Please consider memorial donations in Marcy’s name to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or the Dane County Humane Society.

Obituary: Mary Ann C. Rodriguez, 83

Mary Ann C. Rodriguez, 83 of Whitewater passed away Monday September 11, 2023 at Delavan Health Services.

She was born on August 19, 1940 the daughter of Olin John “Cotton” and Genevieve (nee Branks) Bienfang in her Whitewater home where she continuously resided until her ailing health prevented her from remaining at home.  She married Victor A. Rodriguez, Jr. on November 25, 1958 and they had five children.

Mary Ann, more fondly known as “Mary,” “Mother Mar,” “MM,” “Miriam,” “Gramma,” and “Grams,” was a traditional mom in every sense of the word.  Her family and home were the center of her life.  Home was always the center of the neighborhood block kid activities where treats were always a priority.  Daily laundry and removing stains was her expertise!  She had a love of animals as was evident by the numerous cats and dogs in and out of the house throughout the years.  She was heart broken she couldn’t take her cat, Mippy, with her to Health Services.  Her passion was listening to music and reading, hanging out in her recliner with her chips and chocolate watching TV and movies in her living room. Her DVD collection is phenomenal.

Mother Mar is survived by her 5 children; Victor (Margaret) Rodriguez of Shorewood, WI, Roque (Rhonda) Rodriguez of Whitewater, WI, Genevieve (Brant) Mursch of Whitewater, WI, Chinchi Jorgensen of North Prairie, WI, and Mary (Michael) Mahoney of Whitewater, WI.  She is further survived by 12 grandchildren; Christopher, Emery, Alex, Laura, Victor, Clayton, and Xavier Rodriguez, Jaime (Charlie) Rortvedt, Michael and Shane Rodriguez, Jennifer (Josue) Santiago, and Melissa Mursch-Rodriguez.  In addition, she is survived by 7 great-grandchildren; Addison and Andrew Rortvedt, Quinton, Lucas, Havana, and Alora Rodriguez, and Josue Levi “Jr” Santiago.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Victor; mother, Genevieve (Branks) Streib; Father, Olin John “Cotton” Bienfang; grandparents, Catherine and Thomas Branks; brother, Timothy Streib; sister, Margaret Gonzalez; niece, Margaret “Maggie” Gonzalez; son-in-law, Greg Jorgensen; and grandson, Lance Rodriguez.

Mother Mar will forever be missed and remembered for her loving, generous, giving, kind heart and silly “tee hee” laughter. Thank you, mom, for always being there for all of us!

Special thanks of sincere gratitude and appreciation to the entire Delavan Health Services staff and St. Croix Hospice /Delavan for all your kindness and compassionate care to our mother and our family during her brief residency and unexpected decline in health. Your dedication and sincere care for those in need has made a difference in our lives during this most difficult time.

A private mass of Christian burial took place on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at St. Patrick Catholic Church Whitewater.  Burial took place immediately following the mass at Calvary Cemetery.

Memorials in Mary’s name can be made to St. Croix Hospice if desired.

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

Obituary: Kenny Kohberger, 69

Kenny Kohberger was born October 9, 1953, in Brooklyn, NY, to Regina and Edward Kohberger. He was predeceased by his parents and a sister, Eileen. Surviving are his brothers, Phillip and Eddie (Leslie), sister Jenny (Jerry) DeLeo, nieces and nephews Kevin (Phebe), Jeff, Chris, Danielle, Matthew, PJ, Jayden and Conner. His father taught him about life and baseball … a Yankee and Mets fan. After college, Kenny became an agent and promoter of rock and roll singers and bands. He found himself traveling in limousines around NYC and living on the upper west side in a brownstone. Later he was director at the Colonial Theater in New Hampshire, earned his first master’s degree in Illinois, then moved to Madison, WI and for 15 years was the director of the Young Auditorium and taught at the University of Wisconsin in Whitewater, Wisconsin. He became involved with the Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton and became an Oblate of the Benedictine Sisters of Madison.

After retiring from the University in 2018, Kenny attended the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA, where he graduated in 2022 with a MA in Theology. Inspired by his twenty plus years of sobriety, he developed a program based on the play Bill W. and Dr. Bob telling the story of the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous. With the help of Chaplain Mark Teslik, he piloted the program in the Columbia Correctional Facility in Portage, Wisconsin and in May of 2023 successfully led a four-day retreat based on Steps 1-3. The attendees were persons from a variety of twelve step programs. He was looking forward to writing four other retreats based on the remaining 12 steps, however a simple gallbladder surgery revealed a rare and aggressive cancer. Unfortunately, he died on August 26, 2023, before he could fulfill his dream. Family and his many friends loved him, but God loved him more and took him home.

A celebration of life was held Saturday, September 9, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton, WI.

Obituary: Rodney Sonnenburg, 79

Rodney Sonnenburg, age 79, of Whitewater passed away on Sunday, September 3, 2023 at his home. He was born on May 21, 1944 the son of Raymond and Edna (Hoffmann) Sonnenburg. He graduated from Monroe High School. After high school he went on to attend U.W. Whitewater where he earned his B.S. in business.

Rodney owned and operated “2b Exhibits” where he has worked for 40 years. He enjoyed sports and was involved with U.W. Whitewater Athletics Department. When he was younger, he played football, wrestled, and was on the track team.

Rodney is survived by his brother, Robert (Linda) Sonnenburg of Monroe; and sisters, Sharon (Len) Potts of Monroe and Ruth (Gary) Johnson of Monroe.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Raymond and two in infancy, Merlin and Edwin; and sister, Darlene Sonnenburg.

A Memorial Service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 1025 15th Ave, Monroe, WI at 11:00 AM on Monday, September 11, 2023 with Reverend Thickpenny officiating.

A visitation will be held on Monday from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the church. Shriner Hager Gohlke Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Obituary: Peter Conover, 75, of Tucson, AZ

Peter Conover, professor of mass communications, founder of UW- Whitewater Cable TV, avid traveler, talented photographer and devoted family man, died on July 16, 2023, at the supportive Peppi’s House (TMC Hospice), Tucson, AZ, from complications of Parkinson’s. 

Peter was a remarkable human being, an amazing husband, father, grandfather, a significant guide for countless young people and a cherished friend. His positive attitude, good sense of humor and engaging smile brought joy to so many. He would frequently answer the phone by saying his name and then, “How may I help you?” as that was always his aim, to be of assistance to others. Once, when we were discussing the most important aspects of a person, Peter said, “The ability to connect,” which he did with so many. His example and his spirit will continue to ripple through the lives of those he touched for generations to come.

Peter was born in Evanston, IL on January 2, 1948, attended school in Evanston and Chicago, earned a BA at the University of Iowa, where he met his wife, Katherine. He went on to earn an MA from Syracuse (NY) University, and a Ph. D. from UW-Madison. He was a professor of communication at UW-Whitewater for many years, earning awards for Outstanding Faculty Service and for Outstanding Teaching.

He is survived by wife, Katherine, sons Aubrey (Laura) and Damien (Shoshanah), grandsons Eli, Ben and Colin, brother Kelley (Judy) and sister Mary Susan (Mike) and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Whitewater, where he lived and worked for many years and where he developed numerous valued friendships.

Donations in his name can be made to one of two endowments (#4159 and #4218) set up by and for Peter at UW-Whitewater in the “Designation” dropdown menu found here:  http://uww.edu/give.

Obituary: Albert L. Gapp, 76, of Alton, MO

Albert Leroy Gapp 
May 16, 1947 – August 19, 2023

Albert L. Gapp, 76, of Alton, Missouri, formerly of Whitewater, Wisconsin, left this earthly world to be with his Lord and Savior on August 19, 2023. Al was born on May 16, 1947 to Albert and Phyllis (Wambold) Gapp of Eagle, Wisconsin, the the eldest of 10 children. He was a graduate of Mukwonago High School and worked as a self-taught auto and diesel mechanic and in maintenance before retiring from Husco as a mechanical assembler. 

Al was a mechanical genius from a young age. His loving mother Phyllis joked of having to warn an 11 year old Albert that he had one too many car engines hanging from their trees. He was a General Motors man who loved old cars and owned several classics, a couple of which he trailered back from out West. He owned two auto repair shops in his lifetime, owned a racecar at one point, and in his free time was either tinkering on something or attending a swap meet or rummage sale in search of car parts and tools. Al was a lifelong outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, and trapping. He didn’t shoot a deer for its “rack,” but rather for its meat, and because of this was always giving out venison to family and friends. After retiring, he moved to Missouri to fulfill his dream of owning a place in the country. He spoke of the simple freedoms this afforded him such as no longer being “harassed by the City” for having a lawnmower in his yard and for being able to shoot a deer out his window and not have to drag it home. 

Al formed many friendships throughout his life and will be remembered by many for his kindness, intelligence and sense of humor. He was a man of strong character who stood up for what he believed in and he supported many charitable causes.

Al is survived by two daughters, Julie Gapp, of Fort Atkinson WI, and Sara Gapp, of Palmyra WI, two grandchildren, Casey Alwin and Addison Alwin of Palmyra, 7 siblings, Sherry (Bob) Krenz of West Plains, MO, Michael Gapp of Doniphan, MO, William (Judy) Gapp of Dousman, WI, Bruce Gapp of Whitewater, WI, Daniel Gapp of Thorpe, WI, Carolyn Piasecki of Eagle, WI, and Christine Fuller of Waukesha, WI, an Aunt, Eunice Rowe of Whitewater, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and treasured friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Russell and Paul Gapp, and son-in-law, Marty Bakke. No funeral service will take place per his request; however, a celebration of life will be planned for family and friends at a later date.

Memorial Service for John R. Burrows, 66, of Milton – Sept. 2


A memorial service for John R. Burrows will be held on Saturday, September 2 at 2:00 p.m. at Fairhaven Senior Services, 435 W. Starin Rd., Whitewater.

John R. Burrows was born in Bryn Mawr, PA, on October 16, 1956, the son of Robert Nelson Burrows and Marion Jauch Burrows.  As a child, John was reluctant to speak, first entering the world of speech when he was three and a half years old; he never stopped after that point, always ready with stories, anecdotes, and commentary on things around him.  He was a happy boy, artistic from the start with a fertile imagination, boundless creativity, and artistic talent.  When he was in the third grade his family moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin, and he became fascinated with the history of the region, eventually working during the summers at Old World Wisconsin in nearby Eagle, Wisconsin, after it opened in 1976.  He also became interested in puppetry during his grade school years, and as a sixteen-year-old obtained on his own initiative a summer internship at Pelham Puppets in Marlborough, England.  That experience spurred his interest in marionette theater and British culture.  He soon convinced his father to build a stage for puppet performances and he developed shows that he performed at schools and shopping malls, to the delight of children and adults alike.  As a boy, he played piano, learned to play the organ, and purchased a pump organ which he took to Grinnell College to the astonishment of his dormmates.  There, he fell in love with the study of art and architectural history, which began a lifelong interest in and passion for Victorian culture.

John went on to complete graduate studies at the University of Virginia in architectural preservation and was hired as South Dakota’s preservation historian, a short-lived career given the draconian policies against support for the arts implemented by then President Reagan.  He then found employment in the business world, working for the historical design merchant Bradbury and Bradbury in Benicia, CA (near San Francisco), where he began to design period wallpaper patterns.  After several years he moved to the Northeast, settling in Boston and becoming a “historical design merchant” in Victorian furnishings—carpets, lace curtains, and wallpapers.  He founded his own company, “J. R. Burrows and Co.” and opened his first store on Newbury Street in Boston, later moving the store to a Federalist Period home he bought and restored in Rockland, Massachusetts, where the company thrived from the late-1980s until 2021.  During that time John developed a relationship with Grosvenor and Wilton Company in Kidderminster, England, promoting their authentic reproductions of high-end wool carpets using original looms and patterns from the mid-19th century.  He advised and oversaw the installation of period carpets, wallpaper, and other furnishings in historic buildings like Villa Louis, a stately mansion in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and in churches as diverse as Trinity Church on Copley Square in Boston and the reconstructed Mormon Temple in Nauvoo, Illinois.  He also oversaw carpet installations for two rooms in the White House (the Blue Room and the Lincoln Bedroom, during the presidencies of Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, respectively), and provided carpets and lace curtains for the interiors of Steven Spielberg’s 2012 “Lincoln” movie.  Hundreds of historical homes and buildings in cities and towns across the United States bear the imprint of his creative work as a restoration designer.  He received numerous awards and accolades for his work in historical restorations, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Victorian Society in America.

John interested himself in everything Victorian and had an encyclopedic knowledge of the history and culture of that period—in England and in the United States.  Over his career, he spoke frequently at civic groups and academic conferences, always drawing others into his passions and curiosities.  During the 1980s John became involved in “vintage dance groups,” and participated in dance events throughout his life, enjoying a weeklong dance gathering at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island a week before his untimely death. 

John was a lifelong advocate for LGBTQ rights and causes.  In 2001 he was instrumental in founding “Bear Week” in Provincetown, Massachusetts, an annual event occurring each July that attracts more than 10,000 gay men for a week of celebration and conviviality.

In June of 2021 John moved back to the Midwest, settling in an 1880 Victorian home (which he named “Brackets Cottage”) in Milton, Wisconsin, fourteen miles from Whitewater, where he grew up and where his mother still lives.  Over the last several years, they enjoyed many days together as he rekindled his love of America’s “heartland.”  John died peacefully in his sleep in his Milton home on Saturday, May 20, 2023.  He is survived by his mother, Marion Burrows of Whitewater, Wisconsin; his siblings David N. Burrows of Oriental, North Carolina, Mark S. Burrows of Camden, Maine, and Linda Jauch Jennings of Falcon, Colorado; and his former husband Christopher Ricciotti of Montville, Maine.  Memorial services will be planned for Whitewater, Wisconsin, and Rockland, Massachusetts, at a later date.

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