Scott E. Willson, 71, of Palmyra, WI, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at Sunset Ridge Memory Care, Jefferson, WI.
Scott was born on October 15, 1952 at the Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital, son of Neil and Marjorie (Frank) Willson. He grew up on his family’s dairy farm and graduated from Palmyra High School. After high school, Scott continued his education at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. Scott worked as a sales rep for the majority of his working career for the Bendix Corporation. His outgoing and friendly demeanor helped him to go on to have a successful career until his retirement in the late 1990’s. Scott enjoyed his work and the interactions with his customers and the traveling that came with his position. He could always tell you the good places to eat and visit in a number of different cities across the country. After retiring, Scott helped take care of his mother during her final year and made sure that her needs were met. His giving and considerate nature also extended to his siblings, nieces and nephews. He always remembered to send cards or find unique gifts for birthdays, Christmas, and graduations. Scott put others before himself. This trait was exemplified when honored with a plaque for his heroism after saving a herd of cattle from a barn fire. While on his way home from a work trip in the middle of the night, he saw fire and smoke rising from a barn and took action to wake the sleeping farmer and release the cattle from the barn filled with smoke. Scott never hesitated to help a friend, family member or stranger in need. He will be sincerely missed by those he leaves behind.
He is survived by: his siblings, Robert (Cheryl) Willson of Elkhorn, and Bonnie Willson of Palmyra; his nieces and nephews, Lance Willson of Appleton, Daniel Willson of Palmyra, Valerie Willson of Whitewater, Stephanie (Craig) Pagenkopf of Sullivan, and John (Teresa) Willson of Las Vegas, NV. Scott is also survived by many other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, David and Michael.
A Memorial Service to honor Scott’s life will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Palmyra, WI. Visitation will take place at the church from 1:00 PM until the time of service. A reception will be held at the church after the service. Scott will be laid to rest in Hillside Cemetery of Palmyra, WI at a later date.
Gibson Family Funeral Homes of Palmyra and Eagle, WI is serving the family. To place an online condolence, please visit gibsonfuneral.com
The Whitewater Dementia Friendly Community Initiative would like to publicly thank Randy Cruse for his advocacy work in Washington (recently reported on whitewaterbanner.com) on behalf of persons with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Thank you, Randy, for your efforts to improve health care, financial support and community understanding for persons with dementia.
Persons with cognitive decline report being misunderstood by friends, family and providers because of myths and misconceptions about their disease. Often patients themselves misunderstand, especially when the only advice they get from their doctors is to get their affairs in order and come back in six months for a checkup.
But there is good news: the health care community is getting educated. There is even a trend to recruit patients to serve on boards and committees to help bring their perspective for proper treatment and planning.
Stigma is the use of negative labels to identify a person with a disability or illness. It prevents patients and caregivers from taking the positive steps that can be helpful. Like any disease, cognitive decline benefits from good habits of nutrition, sleep, exercise and health care. Make sure hearing or vision loss is properly treated. Seek out and share accurate information. Maintain relationships with friends and family. Have fun with music, games and laughter. Developing these good habits early on can slow and ease this progressive disease.
An individual living with this disease has the most powerful voice to help raise awareness, end stigma, and advocate for more support and research. We can learn a lot from them. For more ideas visit https://www.alz.org/help-support/i-have-alz/overcoming-stigma
This article submitted by Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, a program of Whitewater Seniors in the Park to help inform the community about dementia and to support patients and caregivers. New members are always welcome! Contact jjackson@whitewater-wi.gov or call Jennifer at 262 473 0535.
Two Whitewater High School Choir students have won the prestigious Wisconsin School Music Association [WSMA] Exemplary Performance Recognition at two WSMA State Solo/Ensemble Festivals. Alex Clarksen earned the award for his Music Theater Solo event on April 27th at UW-Whitewater when he sang “She Cries” from Songs from the New World. A’lani Ross earned the award for her Alto Solo event on May 4th at Carroll University when she sang “Pastorale” by Georges Bizet. Students performing at State Solo/Ensemble Festival can be nominated for this award by the adjudicators throughout the day. At the end of the day, the adjudicator can choose up to two events from each festival site to be awarded this honor. Seven other events from Whitewater High School were also nominated for this award. They are: Alex Clarksen-Tenor Solo, Charlotte Hajewski-Music Theater Solo, Brooke Mason -Alto Solo, Samuel Nickelsburg-Tenor Solo, Ava Van Daele-Alto Solo and Music Theater Solo, and Music Masters Ensemble-Mixed Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Music Masters Ensemble members are Payton Bunger, Meridyth Cashion, Ayden Clark, Alex Clarksen, David Enns, Marina Linos, Brooke Mason, Samuel Nickelsburg, Lauren Rollette, A’lani Ross, and Alex Sullivan.
Congratulations to A’lani and Alex and all students who were nominated to the WSMA Exemplary Performance Recognition!!
Tuesday, May 14th from 4:00-7:00 pmhere at the Whitewater Culver’s, 10% of sales will be donated to Hearthstone for their Garden Project. Please help us share this flyer with as many as you can, and we hope that you will be able to stop by for some food and see some of the management staff running orders.
An Oil Lamp Service will be held at the historic Heart Prairie Norwegian Methodist Episcopal Church on Sunday, May 19th at 7:30 p.m. The church is located at the East Richmond Cemetery, N7372 County Rd P, south of Whitewater, WI. Refreshments will be served prior to the service. Rev. Minyoung Han, minister at Bethel and Richmond United Methodist Churches, will officiate. Others participating are Rev. Larry Froemming, organist; Caitlyn Karbash, violinist; and Lisa Bauer, flutist. This will be the first oil lamp service at the church in more than 125 years. In March 2023, the recently restored church was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. There is limited parking and seating. For more information email gkestol@yahoo.com.
Editor’s note: This announcement was submitted by Georgia Kestol.
Whitewater Unified School District Employee Handbook Committee – Monday @ 3:45 p.m. Whitewater Unified School District William D. Kyle Board Room 419 South Elizabeth Street Agenda (Click on “meetings” in upper right corner.)
City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission – Monday @ 4:30 p.m. Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St Agenda includes Discussion and possible approval of the landscape plan for the Irvin L Young Library. *In Person and Virtual Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods. Please click the link below to join the webinar: Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82908100883?pwd=WWdyUjc0VFRqd096V1MwMit2cWVCUT09 Meeting ID: 829 0810 0883 Passcode: 123382 Dial 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) Meeting ID: 829 0810 0883 Passcode: 123382
City of Whitewater Plan & Architectural Review Commission – Monday @ 6:00 p.m. Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St. *In Person and Virtual Agenda includes Discussion about where the Plan Commission would like to see Dog Daycare & Boarding Facilities be placed with a conditional use in our zoning districts, Discussion and possible approval of a Conditional Use Permit for sale of alcohol by the drink located at 210 W Whitewater St. for Daniel Rodriguez d/b/a as Lloyd’s formerly known as The Black Sheep, Discussion and possible approval of a Conditional Use Permit for a proposed Dog Daycare Facility located on vacant land on Bluff Road Tax Parcel # /A323600002 for Daniel and Jhienelle Kistle d/b/a The Royal Hounds of Whitewater, Discussion and possible approval of a Conditional Use Permit for a New Wireless Telecommunication Facility and Free Standing Tower to be located at 312 Elkhorn Road. Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods. Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods. Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://meet.goto.com/385524925 You can also dial in using your phone. Access Code: 385-524-925 United States: +1 (408) 650-3123 Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://meet.goto.com/install
Whitewater Unified School Board – Special Meeting – Wednesday @ 5:00 p.m. Whitewater High School Library 534 South Elizabeth Street Agenda: to discuss and consider individual 2024-2025 salary contract adjustments and to discuss and consider the post-employment benefit for a specific support staff employee and discuss specific employees whose employment was previously interrupted by a District resignation.
OPEN SESSION Zoom Online Agenda (Click on “meetings” in upper right corner): Discuss any items from closed session, plus Health Insurance Renewal Approval and Ratification of the Whitewater Education Association (WEA) 2024-25 Collective Bargaining Agreement
City of Whitewater Parks & Recreation Board – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m. Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St *In Person and Virtual Agenda includes update on downtown flowers and Discussion and possible action regarding Facility Rental and Reservation Policy updates. Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82237035777?pwd=dUNLRUhRR3QvMXpHUmU5RFVreUhMUT09 Meeting ID: 822 3703 577 Passcode: 874133 Dial 1 312 626 6799
City of Whitewater Community Development Authority – Thursday @ 5:30 pm. Agenda is not posted as of 5/11/24.
Warhawks pose with trophy and banner (credit: Steve Frommell)
By Angela Kelm Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information
Oshkosh, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team topped UW-Oshkosh 2-1 to claim the 2024 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament title and secure the league’s automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament. The tournament title is the program’s eleventh overall and first since 2018.
UWW will find out where they are headed for next week for regional action in Monday’s selection show on ncaa.com at 10 a.m.
UW-Whitewater’s lucky numbers were one and two this week. The Warhawks won all four games of the WIAC Tournament by a score of 2-1. Coming in as the number four seed, two of UWW’s wins were against the number one seed, UW-Oshkosh, and a third came against number two seeded UW-Stevens Point. Warhawk pitcher Brooke Hock, who wears number 12, picked up a save in the first three of UWW’s games in the tournament and registered the win in the championship game Saturday. The theme would continue on the offensive end in the title game.
In the bottom of the second, Grace Wickman – sporting jersey number one – led off the frame with an absolute smash to left center. The second Wickman connected on the pitch, there was no doubt the ball was leaving the park. The Warhawks sprinted out of the dugout to meet Wickman at home celebrating the 1-0 lead.
With all of the momentum in Whitewater’s corner, Maggie Ward continued the frame reaching via catcher’s interference with one out. Kiera Jarrett singled up the middle and JJ Jakosalem took one for the team to load the bases with one out. The Titans opted to get the out at home on a fielder’s choice for out number two, but the bases remained loaded. Kaitlyn Weidemann – who wears number two – drew a walk to score Jarrett and give UWW a 2-0 lead.
UW-Oshkosh cut the lead in half in the top of the third using three hits to plate a single run in the frame.
After a fantastic start by Rhiann Dick, the senior passed the ball to Hock for the final four frames. Hock entered with one on base and zero outs but retired three consecutive Titans. After a leadoff walk in the fifth, Hock got the next three on a pair of groundouts and a fly out that Bella Eggert hauled in in center field.
UW-Whitewater thwarted another UWO opportunity in the sixth after the leadoff batter reached on a walk. With a full count on the next batter, the Titan runner at first bolted early on the pitch. Hock threw it by the UWO hitter for the strikeout as the first base umpire signaled indicating the runner left early and was out for a different version of a double play. Eggert tracked down a fly ball in center for the final out of the top of the sixth.
The top of the seventh went 1-2-3. Eggert captured the first out on a fly ball. Wickman fielded a grounder and threw a dart to Taylor Koehler at first for the second out. Ward secured the title by catching a deep fly ball in left field as the Warhawks streamed out of the dugout in celebration.
Each pitching staff allowed three hits in the game, all by different batters. Dick scattered three hits across three innings of work while striking out two. Hock no-hit the Titans the rest of the way fanning two to improve to 6-1 on the season.
Brandye Carter, a Journalism major from Whitewater, WI, at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, is one of 17 Warhawks to claim a Wisconsin Community Media Best of the Midwest award for their work on UWW-TV during the 2023-24 academic year.
Carter earned the following awards: third place, UWW-TV News – “The Code of Conduct that Shocked the World”; third place, UWW-TV News – “Miss Black and Gold 2023”
Award winners will be recognized at the Best of the Midwest Media Fest banquet and show on May 16 at the Lismore Hotel in Eau Claire. Attendees will have the opportunity to network and celebrate during the exhibitors reception and banquet.
The 2024 Best of the Midwest Media Fest celebrates local Public, Education, and Government (PEG) Access programming and Low-Power Community Radio programming. The event recognizes local programming produced by both professionals and amateurs and provides producers with feedback on their work from a slate of four judges.
The nine-state Alliance for Community Media Midwest Region includes Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
UWW-TV is housed in UW-Whitewater’s College of Arts and Communication. The station provides students with hands-on experience in producing high-quality content both behind the scenes and on camera. To learn more about UWW-TV, visit uwwtv.org.
