Lynn Binnie 
Frank P. Weinberg, formerly from Whitewater, received his 60 year recognition of being a member of the Masonic Lodge Oriental #20 Mesa, Arizona, where he resides with his wife and family. Frank started off on his Masonic journey at the Masonic Lodge in Whitewater, Wisconsin.
Editor’s note: The above submission was provided by Frank Weinberg.
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This week’s image is a rare one of a passenger car purchased for the “B Line,” a short-line railway that was partially constructed between Whitewater and Lake Geneva in 1914.
The purpose of the B Line was to be a fast connection to Lake Geneva where passengers and/or freight could be transferred to lines going to Chicago. This would provide people and businesses in Whitewater faster transportation in Walworth County and, ultimately, to Chicago.
The line was partially built, but never completed due to lack of funding and the increase in prices for steel created by World War I in Europe. A portion of the roadbed for the B Line can still be seen along Highway P at Bluff Creek south of Whitewater where the road was raised to go over the highway and the creek.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
(5547PC, Whitewater Historical Society)
Roger Frank Krance Sr., age 85, of Fort Atkinson passed away unexpectedly at Alden Estates on April 3, 2024.
He was born on May 18, 1938 in Lima Center, WI to Edna (Smith) and Frank Krance. Roger graduated from Whitewater High School in 1956.
He was employed at Thomas Industries in Fort Atkinson and American Farm in Janesville. Roger enjoyed time with his family and watching his favorite shows on TV. He was an avid Packer and Badger fan.
He will be deeply missed by his family, wife Donna; sons, Roger Jr. (Annette), Michael (Tess), and Tyrone; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; siblings, Terry (Rosie), Kay Jean (Bill); nephews and their families.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Edna and Frank Krance; and in-laws, John and Rose Johnson.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at Faith Community Church. A memorial visitation will take place from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library.
Local author, Mark Maas, will be at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library on Tuesday, April 9 at 6:00 p.m. He will be talking about his book, One Team / One Family: Winning Is a Lifestyle, which reflects the belief that building character, trust, and positive chemistry among teammates is at the core of success. Whether in the realm of athletics, the corporate boardroom, on the factory floor, or in schools and offices across America, this book provides a blueprint for success. Sharing stories from a forty-year career in teaching and coaching, Maas lays out the fundamental principles for building team relationships.
Maas will be available for questions after his presentation. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing. The library has a copy of the book available for checkout as well.
The presentation will be held in the library’s Community Room located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. The public is invited to attend this free program and no registration is required. For additional information, visit the library’s website at www.whitewaterlibrary.org or call 262-473-0530.
Editor’s note: With a portion of Whitewater being in Jefferson County, Whitewater residents would be expected to be welcome regardless of whether they live in Jefferson or Walworth County. Walworth County always has at least one clean sweep annually; sometimes there has been a Whitewater event, though not last year.
Editor’s note: The following announcement was posted at UW-Whitewater on April 2.
After the completion of a national search, Provost John Chenoweth is pleased to announce that Dr. Lana Collet-Klingenberg has been appointed to serve as the Dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies effective April 7, 2024.
As a distinguished teaching scholar, Dr. Collet-Klingenberg has served the college as Associate Professor and Professor as well as Chair of the Department of Special Education. Dr. Collet-Klingenberg has also served the college as Associate Dean and most recently as Interim Dean.
Dr. Collet-Klingenberg earned her Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her Master of Science and Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Provost Chenoweth would like to thank everyone who provided feedback during the interview process as well as the members of the Search and Screen Committee, chaired by Vice Chancellor for University Relations and UW-Whitewater Foundation President, Katie Kuznacic, for their extensive work on this search.
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from Habitat for Humanity in Walworth County.
Habitat Walworth has completed its fifteenth Walworth home, in Whitewater, – a three bedroom designed for a young family of five.
The dedication and house blessing is scheduled for Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 1 p.m.
Pastor Sean Walker, Chapel on the Hill, will be performing the ceremony as mom and dad (Che & Bo) welcome their two sons and daughter to their new home. The immediate family has put in more than five hundred hours of sweat equity since last fall in building the new home….framing, siding, painting, and whatever!
President Mark Gardner will be welcoming the hundred plus volunteers and supporters who have made the 1,200 SF home
possible. In addition, Mark says: “We thank the many volunteers and contractors who built this house. And we welcome Che & Bo to their new home, and look forward to identifying another Walworth family for our next build.”
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Turnout in the city was steady on Tuesday but not particularly strong, with 1562 people voting. Voters and election inspectors experienced the first use of the electronic Badger Books, and there were virtually no glitches. It sped up the check-in process using the digital poll books instead of the cumbersome paper books. Some other cities that have transitioned to the new technology reported concern from voters about the new system, but Whitewater poll workers reported virtually no negative comments and many positive ones.
The results shown below are unofficial until the election canvasses take place; however, most of the races were not close enough for a recount to be considered. Incumbents are designated by (I).
Whitewater Common Council: In the only competitive race in the city, former Council member Greg Majkrzak II beat Keith Staebler for an at-large seat by 786 to 532. Orin Smith won the District 2 seat unopposed with 63 votes, as did Brian Schanen with 359 votes.
Whitewater Unified School Board: The race for two seats on the Whitewater Unified School Board had three candidates on the ballot, but Larry Kachel had announced that he would be unable to serve if elected. The results were:
Jeff Tortomasi 1562
Larry Kachel (I) 919
Maryann Zimmerman (I) 1636
Walworth County Circuit Court Judge: Scholtz won the seat over Navis in the countywide vote, 14,213 to 6,283.
Walworth County Supervisor: Brian Holt (I) and Al Stanek (I) retained their seats without competition.
Town of Richmond Supervisor #3 – Alexander 301 to Wade (I) 220
Town of Richmond Supervisor #4 – Bergman 296 to Kraus (I) 231
Fort Atkinson School District Referendum passed by a squeaker, 2360 vs. 2280.
Palmyra Eagle School Board: There were three candidates for two seats.
Patrick 477
Moro 304
Williams (I) 372
Both Constitutional Amendments are projected to have passed on a statewide vote.
Children, Youth, and Family Director Position
First English Lutheran Church is hiring for a CYF Director position, working with children of all ages, planning and running events, and coordinating with schools and organizations to better serve the children and young families in our community and in our church. The position is 15-20 hours per week and pays $20 per hour. Find a link for applications about halfway down the home page, on the right at https://firstenglishlutheranchurch.360unite.com
Robert “Bob” T. Bigelow, 56, of Whitewater, WI passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at his home.
Bob was born on February 10, 1968 in Fort Atkinson, WI the son of Charles and Sherry (Reinke) Bigelow. He grew up in the Whitewater area and after his schooling, he worked on his dad’s farm at the beginning of his working career and would work in the farming industry for the majority of his career. Bob also worked in construction as a roofer and few other capacities. He was very skilled with his hands and was the type of person who could make or fix just about anything. Bob was a very helpful person and was willing to help a friend, neighbor or complete stranger in need. He truly would give the shirt off his back to anyone. Bob was known as “Bigzy” or “Uncle Bob” to his friends and family. For leisure, he loved being outside in God’s creation. He had a great appreciation for animals and their beauty and he loved hunting or anything else outside. He had a beloved pet Golden Retriever, Wally who went everywhere with him and the two were best of friends. Bob also enjoyed watching classic Westerns such as Bonanza or Gunsmoke. He was blessed with a son, Nicholas and he loved him very much. Bob was a good man and he will be deeply missed by his friends and family.
He is survived by: his son, Nicholas (Brittany) Osgood of Whitewater; his two grandsons, Duncan and Connor Osgood; his loving sister, Brenda Brown of Cambridge; and his niece and nephews, Danielle (Ryan) Larson of Menomonee Falls, Josh (Crystal) Brown of Fort Atkinson, Nathan (Brittany) Lathrop of Cambridge, Robert Lathrop of Whitewater, and Andrew Lathrop of Whitewater; he is also survived by his faithful canine companion, Wally.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
A Memorial Service will be held to honor Bob’s life at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at the Gibson Family Funeral Home in Palmyra, WI (320 W. Main Street, Palmyra, WI 53156). Visitation will take place from 5:00 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
Gibson Family Funeral Homes of Palmyra and Eagle, WI is serving the family. To place an online condolence please visit gibsonfuneral.com