Lynn Binnie
Obituary: Donna M. Root, 79, of Fort Atkinson
Donna M. Root, 79, of Fort Atkinson passed away on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at Froedert Hospital in Milwaukee.
Donna was born on June 15, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois to Matthew and Shirley (Poliquin) Wehr. She worked as the officer manager at Yerges Transportation for 45+ years. She loved her job because of the interaction she was able to have with all the people coming in and her co-workers.
Donna enjoyed gardening. She took pride in her five flower beds and caring for them. She enjoyed listening to her stepson Wade’s many bands throughout the years. She enjoyed spending time with her family and all of her friends – she had too many to name. She loved taking pictures at all events she was a part of and documenting the fun everyone was having. She also loved to play slot machines and was lucky more often than not.
She is survived by her husband, Duane Root; child, Dan (Kelly) Olson, stepchildren, Tammy (Scott) Wiedenhoeft, Julie (Pete) Urdhal, Doug (Amy) Root and Wade (Lisa) Root. Also, by her grandchild, Matthew (Macie Brock) Olson, and many step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Donna is preceded in death by her father and mother, Matt and Shirley Wehr and many loving aunts and uncles.
A memorial service will take place at 3 p.m. on Wednesday June 28, 2023, at Nitardy Funeral Home in Fort Atkinson. A visitation will take place from 1 p.m. until the time of service. The family asks that guests dress casually and wear their favorite Packer gear as Donna was an avid Packer fan. There will be a celebration of life at a later date.
The family would like to give special thanks for the medical team at Froedert Hospital for their exceptional care for Donna.
Donations can be made in Donna’s name to Special Olympics or Rainbow Hospice as these were charities close to her heart.
WHS Band Alumni Sought for Alumni Band in 4th of July Parade
Dear WHS Band Alumni,
For the 25th year, we will be putting together an alumni band for the July 4 parade. If you’re going to be in this part of the country for the holiday, please consider joining us! I know that some of you have been playing professionally while others haven’t touched it since graduation – ALL are welcome! Instrument loans are available as are fingering charts! No marching is involved, we’ll be sitting on a flatbed truck!
There will be no rehearsal, but if you want to see the music ahead of time I can email scans to you. Our “uniform” for the parade consists of ANY WHS Band T-shirt and AT LEAST one other article of clothing. (I just happen to have some pretty nifty WHS Band shirts still available at the low price of $5) Or just wear something red.
The parade starts at 10 a.m. this year, the normal time. We’ll plan to meet at Lincoln Elementary School (Prince St. between Highland and Walworth) around that time although we will be near the end of the parade. Do not attempt to drive up Prince Street that morning; best bet for close parking is in the Middle School (old HS) lot off Elizabeth Street. Drummers talk to me about the best way to get your equipment onto the truck.
For added incentive, there will be the traditional gathering at the beer tent after the parade. (OK, soda for you recent alumni.)
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU’RE COMING so I know how many chairs, stands & copies of music we need. Also, please forward this to any other WHS Band Alumni you know from any decade – my list of email addresses is far from complete.
Hope to see you there!
Dr Don W Deal [WHS Band Director 1979-2012 and again in 2020]
Fort HealthCare Awarded MJS Top Workplaces Award
Fort HealthCare Awarded Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Top Workplaces Award for 2023
Fort HealthCare has earned the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Top Workplaces Award for the ninth year in a row. Top Workplaces recognition is awarded solely on the anonymous feedback of employees provided in a research-backed survey that measures organizational health and employee engagement. The survey measures 15 Culture Drivers that are proven to predict high performance against industry benchmarks and is designed based on data captured from over 27 million employees at more than 70,000 organizations across the past 16 years.
Fort HealthCare celebrates its 13th award since the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel began recognizing Top Workplaces in 2010, based entirely on employee feedback captured by the Energage Workplace Survey.
“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of.”
Top Workplaces Awards identify organizations dedicated to people-first culture excellence. Fort HealthCare employees are committed to our strong culture and RESPECT Values: Responsiveness, Excellence, Sensitivity, Professionalism, Empowerment, Cultural Diversity, and Teamwork.
“Fort HealthCare is grateful to our employees for sharing their voices and for their dedication to providing people-first care to the communities we serve,” said Michael Anderson, MD, President and CEO of Fort HealthCare. “We are honored to be recognized as a workplace committed to employee engagement and to making a difference in the lives of our patients, providers, and staff.”
On Friday, May 19th, Fort HealthCare Senior Vice President, Finance & Strategic Development, James Nelson, accepted the award at the Brookfield Conference Center. This year, Fort HealthCare has also received the Top Workplaces USA 2023 Award and the 2023 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence award for Purpose & Values.
About Energage
Making the world a better place to work together.TM
Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 16 years of culture research and the results from 27 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.
Local Students Graduate from UW-Stout
The following students from the area graduated in May 2023 from University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, Wis. The university graduated 1,173 students, with 946 undergraduate and 227 Graduate School students this spring.
UW-Stout, Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, has 47 undergraduate majors and 24 graduate programs, including one doctoral degree. UW-Stout, established in 1891, prides itself on the success of its students in the workplace, with an employment rate above 97% for recent graduates. The university was awarded the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2001.
UW-Stout is Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, with a focus on applied learning, collaboration with business and industry, and career outcomes.
Whitewater , WI
Broderick Frye, BS Professional Communication and Emerging Media
Luke Rule, BS Digital Marketing Technology
Obituary: Douglas P. Chaulk, 75
Douglas P. Chaulk, age 75, died unexpectedly Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at the Sanford Canton-Inwood ER. Memorial services are pending.
Doug was born on August 9, 1947 in Milwaukee, WI to Donald and Delores (Raison) Chaulk. After graduating high school, he attended college for a short time before enlisting in the US Army. After 6 years of service and two tours in Vietnam, he returned to Wisconsin and earned a degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin- Milton. He married Kathleen Pache. The couple was blessed with a son, Devon.
Doug worked in law enforcement his entire career. He spent 30 years, 28 as a sergeant, for the City of Whitewater, WI. After his retirement in 2002, he moved to Canton, SD where he worked 14 years as a bailiff and in the 24/7 program for the Lincoln County Sherriff’s Office.
When not working, he enjoyed spending time with his family and his horses. He was also a lifetime member of the VFW and a Green Bay Packer’s stock holder.
Doug is survived by his son, Devon (Jenna) Chaulk and grandson, Kayden Chaulk. He was preceded in death by his parents. www.andersonandsonsfh.com
Seniors in the Park Presents Moving On
“Moving On”
Tuesday, June 27, 1 p.m.
(Comedy) Rated R (language) 1 hour, 25 minutes (2022)
Two old friends (Jane Fonda & Lily Tomlin) reconnect at a funeral and decide to get revenge on the widower (Malcolm McDowell) who messed with them decades before. Revenge is oh so sweet…
Obituary: Ardella Leola Shepherd, 91
Ardella Leola Shepherd, 91, of Whitewater, WI passed away on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at Cedar Crest in Janesville.
Ardella was born on October 12, 1931 in Gotham, WI, the daughter of Leonard and Violet (Sherman) Wilson. She married Beauford Shepherd on June 2, 1962.
She enjoyed spending time with her family, reading books and going to casinos.
She is survived by her eleven children Bonnie (Bob) Magee of Pound, Pat Snorek(Larry) of West Allis, Fred (Kim) Snorek of Oostburg, Doug (Deb) Snorek of Florence, AZ, Rory (Jean) Shepherd of Whitewater, Michael (Terri) Shepherd of Milton, Sandra Gaffner of Milton, Betty Jo (Dan) Mattrisch of Fort Atkinson, Bobbi Jo (Trent) Dahlke of Waterloo, Billie Jo (Darin) Olp of Whitewater, Wanda (Jennifer) Shepherd of Whitewater, 19 Grandchildren, 32 Great-grandchildren & 2 Great-great-grandchildren, brother Darrell (Linda) Wilson.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Beauford Shepherd, son Jerry Snorek, son-in-law Kevin Gaffner, two sisters, Evelyn Johnson, Eleanor Wilmot, three brothers, Leonard Wilson Jr., Gordon Wilson and Clayton Wilson Sr.
A memorial visitation will take place from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Nitardy Funeral Home in Whitewater.
The family would like to give special thanks to Mercy Hospice staff and Cedar Crest staff for their exceptional care for Ardella.
#FlashbackFriday with the Historical Society: Whitewater Lake
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This week’s view is a great aerial photograph of Whitewater Lake. Whitewater Lake provides recreational opportunities for many and is in the Kettle Moraine State Park. It was created after World War II by flooding the area and combining smaller lakes.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
(3749PC, Whitewater Historical Society)