Lynn Binnie

UW-W/Community Optimist Club Expands the Mitten Tree Project

The Whitewater area community was more than generous in donating needed items to the annual UW-W/Community Optimist Club Mitten Tree Project. There were enough items donated that Rick Fassl, co-chair of the project, contacted Whitewater Police Chief, Aaron Raap, to see if our local police squad cars could use some extra hats and mittens since they are often the first on the scene of traumatic events. Chief Raap consulted with his staff and was delighted when, on Dec. 31, 2019, Rick and Jeanine Fassl were able to deliver 10 sets of hats and mittens to add to each of the City’s 10 squad cars for use in case of emergencies.

Brian William Grosskreutz, 64, passed away at his home in Whitewater on January 2, 2020.

Brian William Grosskreutz, 64, passed away at his home in Whitewater, WI, on January 2, 2020. He was born on September 25, 1955, to Richard and Beverly (Blaedow) Grosskreutz at Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital. He spent much of his childhood in Little Prairie and Palmyra before moving to Whitewater and graduating from Whitewater High School in 1973. On June 14, 1975, he married his wife of 44 years, Janet Marie Cooper, at North Lima Presbyterian Church in Whitewater.

Upon graduating high school, Brian went to work as an auto mechanic. He worked for multiple car dealerships throughout his life. He spent the last 13 years at Ketterhagen Motors, where he worked as a Service Writer Manager, before retiring in 2017.

Brian loved spending time with his family. He put his family first and did everything he could to make sure they were taken care of. He also enjoyed listening to rock music and watching TV, especially old Westerns. His sense of humor and willingness to help someone out or listen when someone needed to talk will be greatly missed.

Brian is survived by his wife, Janet; daughter, Kelly of Johnson Creek; parents, Richard and Beverly of Whitewater; brother, Steven (Patrice) of Whitewater; brothers-in-law, Walter Cooper, Jr. (Carol) of Big Fork, MN and John Cooper of Janesville; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Kimberly; maternal grandparents, William and Orfa (Klix) Blaedow; paternal grandparents, Gustav and Hilda (Polensky) Grosskreutz; parents-in-law Walter and Elizabeth (Fisch) Cooper; sisters-in-law Sylvia (Cooper) Holbach and Carmella (Rose) Cooper; and nephew Aaron Grosskreutz.

A private family burial will take place at Little Prairie Cemetery on January 10, 2020.

The Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater, WI is assisting the family, www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Donna Mae Chamberlain, 85, of Whitewater was called to her home in Heaven on Thursday, December 12, 2019

Donna Mae Chamberlain, 85, of Whitewater, WI was called to her home in Heaven on Thursday, December 12, 2019, at Linden Court Waukesha.

Donna was born on May 25, 1934, in Barre Mills, WI to Fred and Mary (Niedfeldt) Hemker. Donna graduated from West Salem High School in 1952 and Whitewater State Teachers College in 1956. On June 24, 1956, Donna married Richard Chamberlain at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Barre Mills, WI.

She was active in their church and was a teller at a local bank for 17 years.

She is survived by her children: Debra (Glen) Heuer of Pewaukee, WI, John (Wendy) Chamberlain of Green Bay, WI, Ruth Chamberlain of Waukesha, WI; 6 Grandchildren, 2 Great-Grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 116 Church St., Whitewater, WI. Friends may call at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church.

The Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater, WI is assisting the family, www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Charles (Cork) Howard Boelkow, age 76, moved on to his heavenly home on Sunday, January 5, 2020

Charles (Cork) Howard Boelkow, age 76, moved on to his heavenly home on Sunday, January 5, 2020, surrounded by his family and friends. Charles was born on November 16, 1943, in Elkhorn, WI the son of Frederick and Carol (Longstaff) Boelkow. Charles married Bonnie L. Bittner on July 14, 1962. He was the owner of Belco Construction and Lima Concrete and a member of Local 344 Carpenter’s Union. He worked his entire life in the construction trade and retired in 2003.

Cork enjoyed hunting, shooting sports, fishing, racing snowmobiles, and building with his hands. He was a regular at the morning social circle at the local restaurant where he liked spending time discussing current events with lifelong friends. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who enjoyed spending time with his family. He was especially involved with his children and his grandchildren who were his pride and joy. Cork was actively involved in his church. He was a Scoutmaster in the Boy Scouts, Youth Group leader, and a 4-H leader for many years.

Cork is survived by his four children Robert (Colleen) Boelkow of Hartford, WI; Randy (Michele) Boelkow of Cudahy, WI; Charles Jr. (Donna) Boelkow of Milwaukee, WI; and Rebecca (Michael) Matteson of Whitewater, WI and his eight grandchildren Jacqueline, Meghan, Matthew, Mitchell, Jacob, Brett, Abigail, and Makenna. Cork is also survived by his sister Patricia (Donn) Renning of Tucson, AZ; sister Nancy (Morton) Hertel of Brookfield, WI; cousin Donn (Barb) Renning of Madison,WI; Sister-in-law Katie (Fred) Boelkow Walker; and many other family members and friends. Charles was preceded in death by wife Bonnie, parents Frederick and Carol, brother Frederick (Katie) Edward Boelkow Jr., and brother-in-law Donn Wesley Renning. In lieu of flowers a memorial donation can be made to Rainbow Hospice, Johnson Creek, WI.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb Street, Whitewater, WI with Rev. Jerald Wendt officiating. Burial will follow at the Richmond Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. 

Lance Leipold Makes ESPN List of Top 150 Coaches of All Time; Lauded Primarily for His Time at UW-W

Current University at Buffalo football coach Lance Liepold was ranked at No. 78 on ESPN‘s list of the top 150 football coaches of all time, released in December.

The selections were made by a blue-ribbon panel of 150 media members, administrators and former players and coaches, ESPN said.

Leipold was lauded primarily for his time at UW-W when he posted a record of 109-6 from 2007 to 2014 and won six Division III national titles. He was named national coach of the year six times and reached 100 career wins faster than any football coach in NCAA history at any level. Leipold was also recognized for taking down “the dynasty that was Mount Union.

For the article in The Buffalo News, click here.

Whitewater Common Council Has 3 Seats Up for Election; Deadline for Filing is Tues., 1/7

At an election to be held in the City of Whitewater on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, the following offices are to be elected to succeed the incumbents listed. (Note: all incumbents are eligible for re-election.) The term for Council member offices listed below begins on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 and expires April 19, 2022.

OFFICE INCUMBENT

Council member, District 2 Matthew Schulgit

Council member, District 4 Lynn Binnie

Council member, at large James D. Allen

Information pertaining to district boundaries and nomination procedures may be obtained from City Clerk Michele Smith at 312 W. Whitewater Street, msmith@whitewater-wi.gov, or 262-473-0102

The final day for filing nomination papers is Tuesday, January 7, 2020, 5:00 p.m. in the office of the City Clerk. At least twenty signatures are required for district seats, and at least forty signatures for an at large seat.

If a primary is necessary, it will be held on Tuesday, February 18, 2020.

The Presidential Primary will also take place on April 7.

The Next Term for the Whitewater Unified School District Board Will Be a Crucial One, With the Search for a New Administrator Plus the Possible Addition of Part of Palmyra-Eagle S.D. – Final Day for Filing for the Board is Tuesday, 1/7

As of 4:00 p.m. on Monday, January 6, Jaclyn Tueting indicated that only Casey Judd and Steven Ryan had filed to run for one of the three seats that is open. Any interested persons are encouraged to file by Tuesday, January 7.

Residents of the Whitewater Unified School District are encouraged to consider seeking a position on the School Board. The final day for filing for those interested in becoming a candidate for one of the three open positions on the Board is Tuesday, January 7, 2020, by 5:00 p.m.

Any person who is a United States citizen and a qualified elector of the Whitewater Unified School District is legally qualified to become a member of the School Board. In addition, Board candidates should have a genuine interest in and devotion to public education, a willingness to give time and effort to the position, a capacity to understand people, and the ability to work cooperatively with others.

The School Board is the District policy-making authority and is responsible to the public for the success of all education services offered by the District. This success is dependent on many individuals, but also upon each Board member’s understanding of the workings of the District-wide operations and each member’s ability to participate meaningfully in the decision-making process that governs the District.

Three positions will be on the spring ballot. The incumbents are Miguel Aranda, Casey Judd and Steven Ryan. One incumbent, Miguel Aranda, has filed a non-candidacy document. Prior to the winter break it was reported that no additional candidates had filed.

The Board will provide an orientation for Board candidates in order to help them become quickly acquainted with the election process and Board members’ duties and responsibilities in January. The District Administrator has developed, in consultation with the Board, a candidate orientation program to be presented by District staff and a Board member appointed by the Board President.

The candidate filing documents may be obtained and filed at the office of the School Board Secretary at the Whitewater Unified School District Central Office, 419 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater. School Board candidates do not circulate nomination papers but the School Board Secretary, Jaclyn Tueting, will assist to complete necessary filing documents. One current Board member indicated that the process could be completed in as little as 15 minutes. The Central Office will be open on Monday and Tuesday, 1/6-1/7, from 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Again, the deadline for filing candidacy paperwork is Tuesday, 1/7 at 5:00 p.m.

City to Collect Christmas Trees on Tuesdays Beginning January 7

The City of Whitewater – Department of Public Works will collect Christmas trees on Tuesday, January 7, 14, 21 and January 28. Please do not place your tree on the terrace before 4:00 p.m. on the Sunday prior to the scheduled Tuesday collection.

Trees that have been flocked or contain wire will not be collected. Please place these trees for collection by John’s Disposal on the second Thursday of the month, your bulk pick up day.

Kelly Freeman, Superintendent, Streets/Parks/Stormwater Utility

Mark Lee Grundahl, age 71, of Whitewater passed away at home on Monday, December 30, 2019

Mark Lee Grundahl, age 71, of Whitewater passed away at home on Monday, December 30, 2019.  He was born on June 22, 1948, the son of the late Amos and Isabel (Wright) Grundahl. Mark grew up on a dairy farm in Rock County where he was actively involved in 4-H and showing Jersey cattle. He received his B.S. in Dairy Science from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.  After 3 years working as a herdsman in the dairy industry he returned to academia, earning his Master’s Degree in Dairy Nutrition from the University of Georgia.  He went on to manage Jersey herds and teach at N.C. State University and Berry College in Rome, GA. Mark returned to school at UW Madison to get his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.  He worked in the veterinary field for 30 years.  Mark enjoyed watching and attending Badger basketball and football games.  He continued to be active in the Jersey cattle industry, owning and showing cattle for most of his life. Mark especially enjoyed his time watching his daughter, Sarah, showing her horses.

Mark is survived by his daughter, Sarah Grundahl; good friend and neighbor, Justin Meyers; sister, Nordis (Andy) Olson; nieces and nephews; and many other family and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, David Grundahl.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 12:00 noon, to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 4, 2020, at the SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME LIFE CELEBRATION CENTER, 1800 East Racine Street, Janesville, with a time of sharing at 12:00 noon. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Mark’s name to the Rock County 4-H Fair Alumni Association Scholarship Fund or the America Jersey Cattle Association Scholarship Fund. SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY is assisting the family.  For online condolences and guestbook, please visit: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com