Obituary Archive

Stanley A. Vesely, age 78, of Whitewater, passed away Saturday, July 20, 2019 at So. Wisconsin Veterans Home, Union Grove, WI.

He was born February 14, 1941 to Arnold and Dorothy (nee McLellan) Vesely and raised by Arnold and Emily (nee Komrska) Vesely in Chicago, IL. Stan spent his early life in the Chicago suburbs and graduated from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, with a master’s in education. On August 20, 1966 he was united in marriage to Valerie Ann Tilgner in Villa Park, IL.

He proudly served his country in the United States Marines from 1959 through 1963. Stan worked as a salesman selling Aerial Lift Products. He was previously employed at Mi-Jack Products in Hazelcrest, IL and at National Lift Truck in Franklin Park, IL. He loved his work in sales, bringing in a new era of lift equipment. The past two years Stan and Val have resided in Whitewater, WI. Stan also enjoyed the outdoors; he loved hunting and was an avid golfer.

Stan is survived by his loving wife Val, and daughter Trisha (John) Washburn, grandchildren, Ryan Marincic and Jaxson Washburn. He is further survived by other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his son Ryan Vesely, his parents, a brother Arnold Vesely and a sister Lillian (Larry) Laznovsky.

Polnasek-Daniels Funeral Home & Crematory
908 – 11th Ave.
Union Grove, WI 53182
262-878-2011
www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com

Sharon D. Wisch, 67, of Whitewater passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2019 at Mercy Hospital in Janesville.

Sharon was born on December 2, 1951 in Fresno, California to James and Paulette (Dearman) Frasier. Her father was an iron worker and they traveled around a lot during Sharon’s early childhood. She remembers traveling across the desert with a water bag hanging on the front end of their car. Sharon enjoyed having fresh California produce including avocados, pecans, strawberries and oranges, and was able to pick her own oranges in their backyard. In grade school, she was able to look out her classroom window out to the Ocean and see the whales going by. Sharon graduated Fresno High in 1969. On November 27, 1971 Sharon married Richard Wisch in Fresno. Before leaving Fresno, Sharon worked as hotel linen staff at Motel 6. After moving to Wisconsin, she worked at the Sears store in Whitewater. Sharon and Richard worked together for twenty years as custodial staff at UW-Whitewater.

Sharon enjoyed crocheting, gardening, traveling back and forth from California with Richard, and visiting casinos on their trips.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Wisch; brother, David Frasier; brother-in-law, Ray Wisch; several nieces and nephews.

Sharon is preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Pauline Frasier and sister, Ginger Berry.

Funeral services will take place at 6 pm on Friday July 26, 2019 at Nitardy Funeral Home, 1008 Madison Ave. Fort Atkinson, WI 53538. A visitation will take place from 4 pm until time of service.

The family would like to give special thanks to Mercy Medical Center in Elkhorn, Holton Manor in Elkhorn and Mercy Hospital in Janesville for doing everything they could to keep Sharon with us.

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Marvin Davis Free, Jr. of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, passed away on July 13, 2019 at his home surrounded by his loving family and dog, Abby.

Marvin was born on September 16, 1947 in San Francisco, California, son of Marvin D. Free and Julia (Frierson) Free.  He earned a BBA (‘70), MBA (‘72), and MA (‘77) from Baylor University and a PhD (‘85) from the University of Denver.

In July 1979, Marvin married his wife, Sandra Gardsbane.  They were married for forty years. Together they had two children, Jonathan Free and Benjamin Free. Marvin was involved in his children’s lives as an active volunteer and leader in Boy Scouts.  He never missed a sporting event or school event in which they participated.

He began his teaching career at UW-Marathon County in 1985. In 1996, he accepted a position at UW-Whitewater, where he worked as a Professor of Sociology and Criminology until his retirement in January 2015. He was the author of many books and articles, where his research primarily centered on wrongful convictions.

Following his retirement, he traveled with Abby, his beloved dog, as a team visiting nursing homes, group homes and day care centers.  They were also a part of the Reading Program at the Fort Library.

Marvin spent his time diligently training Abby to compete in American Kennel Club Obedience and Rally events.  They were quite the team, winning many first place ribbons as Abby acquired 6 titles.

Marvin was preceded in death by his father, mother, sister, Faye Deaton, brother-in-law Ray Deaton and brother-in-law, Brian Gardsbane.  He is survived by his wife Sandra, sons Jonathan and Benjamin, sister, Kaye (Don) Ellison, and many family members and friends.

A memorial service will be held graveside at Evergreen Cemetery, in Fort Atkinson on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 11 am. 

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson, P.O. Box 205, Fort Atkinson WI 53538.

Dunlap Memorial Home, Fort Atkinson, is assisting the family with arrangements.

www.DunlapMemorialHome.com

Beatrice Louise (Koch) Plucinski-Schlorb, 86, passed peacefully in her sleep on Sunday July 14, 2019 at the Edgewater Haven Nursing Home in Port Edwards, Wisconsin where she had been a resident for the last 4 years.

Bea was born to Arthur Jacob and Myrtle M. (Gerloff) Koch on October 19, 1932 in Whitewater, Wisconsin.  She grew up with her siblings Herman, Caroll, Hazel and Raymond. 

Bea graduated from Whitewater High School on May 28, 1952

She married the Love of her Life Harry David Plucinski JR on November 28, 1953; they were married at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Whitewater, Wisconsin. 

Together they had three children, John (Janice) Plucinski of Forsyth, Montana, Susan (Donald) Sutton of Moose Creek, Alaska and Frank (Kathy) Plucinski of Babcock, Wisconsin.

Bea was known for her quilting, sewing and crafts.

Unfortunately, JR passed way on January 25, 1972 .

Bea was remarried to Edward Schlorb on June 28, 1974 at Sugar Creek Lutheran Church in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, who brought Deborah Guerro of Killeen, Texas, Sherry (Al) Danischefsky of Babcock, Wisconsin, Edward Schlorb of Eau Claire, Wisconsin and April Schlorb of Arpin, Wisconsin into her life.

Together they did a lot of traveling.

Bea is further survived by 15 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be at 12 PM on Friday July 19, 2019 at the Nitardy Funeral Home Chapel, 550 N. Newcomb Street, Whitewater, WI.

Visitation will be held from 10 AM to noon on Friday at the funeral home until the time of the services. Bea will be laid to rest next to JR at Hillside Cemetery, Whitewater, WI .

www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Nathan Sidney Krahn, 31, of Whitewater passed away on Saturday, July 13, 2019 at The Bay at Burlington.

Nathan was born on October 10, 1987 in Janesville to Paul and Sandra (Wintlend) Krahn.

He is survived by his parents, Paul and Sandra Krahn of Whitewater; siblings, Shelly (Dave) Miller of Janesville, Mathew (Nicki Spencer) Krahn of Whitewater, Brandon (Michelle Staude) Krahn of Stoughton, Brittany Krahn of Whitewater, Abbie (Matt Neman) Krahn of Whitewater; grandparents, Sidney and Cecilia Krahn of Whitewater; many aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family would like to give special thanks to Bethesda in Watertown for their many years of exceptional care for Nathan.

Nitardy funeral home is assisting the family with arrangements.

www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Rita Eleanora (Lassa) Kehoe, 85, of East Troy passed away peacefully on July 11, 2019 at Glenwood in Whitewater, Wisconsin.

Rita was born on October 31, 1933 in Milwaukee to William and Apolonia (Brozek) Lassa. She was raised on the south side of Milwaukee with her sisters, Dorothy and Kathleen. Rita graduated from Bay View High School and attended Cardinal Stritch College. She continued her education at UW-Madison. In 1959, Rita married Dennis William Kehoe, of Watertown, at the St. Josaphat’s Basilica in Milwaukee. She was a dedicated educator for 35 years and retired from the Mukwonago School District.

Rita was a member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Whitewater and St. Mary Catholic Church in Palmyra. She and Denny were active in the Latin American Mission Program. Rita was proud of her Polish heritage and had traveled to Poland. She enjoyed traveling, music, cooking, reading and spending time with her sister, Dorothy and her husband, Harry. Rita loved spending time with her children and their families.

She is survived by her husband, Dennis; children, Rita (Parker) Dow, William (Heather) Kehoe, Maria (David) Hinners; grandchildren, Heather (David) Buehler, Holly Dow, Morganne (Andrew) Seiner, Shannon Kehoe, Meghan Kehoe, Alex Hinners, Eric Hinners; great-granddaughter, Seraphine Buehler.

She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Apolonia Lassa; and sister, Dorothy Mitchell.

A visitation will take place Monday, July 15, 2019 from 5 P.M. until 7 P.M. at the Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St., Whitewater, WI 53190. A mass of Christian burial will take place at 11 A.M. on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Palmyra, Wisconsin. Visitation will take place from 10 A.M. until the time of services. Burial will take place at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Palmyra.

Donations can be made to St. Mary Catholic Church in Rita’s honor.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Glenwood and Marquardt Hospice for their continued care for both Rita and Denny. They would also like to thank the staff and parish of St. Mary Catholic Church and St. Patrick Catholic Church, of Whitewater, for their continued support.

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Robert “Bob” Rowley, 87, of Whitewater, a former resident of Addison, Ill., passed away Tuesday, July 9, 2019.

He went peacefully with his wife and son by his side.

Bob was born on March 25, 1932.

He graduated Crane Tech High School in Chicago, Ill., in 1950.

Bob joined the U.S. Air Force as a basic airman in February 1952 and married his high school sweetheart, Thora “Billie” Rowley, on May 17, 1952. After his honorable discharge from the Air Force, Bob worked with Harlo Electric Supply and then General Electric.

After retiring, Bob and Billie moved to Whitewater in 1996. In retirement Bob enjoyed golfing whenever the weather permitted.

He was a member at the local golf club, Prairie Woods, and golfed regularly with his son, grandson and great-grandson. He left us less than 24 hours after playing a round with his son and grandson.

If he wasn’t golfing, Bob was swimming at the Whitewater Aquatic Center with Billie. His youthful spirit and abundant love made him a favorite of all his 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Bob is survived by his wife, Thora; his son, Thomas (Doreen); his grandchildren, Melissa (Jason) Grooms, Michele (Shannon) Fagiano, Aaron (Amanda) Rowley, Corin (Bob) Sullivan, Brandon (Rowena) Rowley, Kristin (Mark) Porter, Colin (Brittany) Rowley, Erica Clemmons, Kristina (Kevin) Bannon, Veronica (Steven) De La Cruz, Greg Barnwell Jr. and Robert Callen; and great-grandchildren, Will, Riley, Grace, Quinn, Emmett, Michael, Abigail, Emeline, Oliver, Calvin, Sadie, Londyn, Kenzie, Traver Jr., Madelyn, Ashlyn, Steven, Nathaniel and Elijah.

He was preceded in death and welcomed in heaven by his two children, his eldest son Jim and daughter Lynn.

A celebration of life will be held at Prairie Woods Golf Course on Saturday, July 13, from 2 to 6 p.m.

Curt Alfred Anderson, 58, Whitewater, passed away at his home on Tuesday, July 2, 2019.

Curt was born on August 27, 1960 in Waukesha, WI to George and Carla (Witthoft) Anderson.  He attended Whitewater High School.  Curt served his country in the National Guard.  He was employed as a foreman with Balestrieri Environmental Development.  Curt’s personality was larger than life.  He could fix anything.  Curt loved fishing, hunting, camping, was a horseman and a woodsman.  He enjoyed nature and animals.  Curt took great pride in maintaining his yard in showcase condition.  He loved his shop where he would repair small engines and do wood work.  Friends and strangers would appear looking for mechanical help from Curt. The former barn, now his shop was his man-cave where friends, family and neighbors would gather.  He loved to cook and grill.  Sadie, his black lab was always at his side.  Gina was his soulmate, sharing his life for the last 15 years. 

He is survived by fiancé Gina Crown, Whitewater; step-children Emily, Ashley (Ken Kucharski) Justin and Kyle Crown; children Kelsey Anderson, Elkhorn, Brittney (Jared)  Steilkie, Elkhorn, Parker Anderson, Minnesota; Grandchildren Zoey and Kylee Berris, Cadence and Paige Steilkie, Klaire Kucharski and soon to be born Amelia Kucharski; sister Charlotte (David) Anderson Maitlen, Satellite Beach, FL; brother Edward (Sandy) Anderson, Darien, WI.  He was preceded in death by his parents and nephew, William Anderson.  For those wanting to express their sympathy you may wish to consider memorials to the National Pancreatic Cancer Association.  The family will have a celebration of Curt’s life at a later date.  The Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater, WI is assisting the family, www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Ethel Jean (Teetshorn) Chaffee, age 94, lifelong resident of Whitewater, Wis., passed away on Monday, June 24, 2019.

She was born on August 12, 1924, daughter of Fred W. and Ethel M. (Lerwill) Teetshorn. She attended the Whitewater schools and was a graduate of the City High School, class of 1942. Jean was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Robert E. Chaffee, on April 16, 1949, at the Bassett House in Whitewater. Robert predeceased Jean on July 1, 2007. Jean is survived by her daughter, Jane (Marvin) Ripp of Middleton; her granddaughter, Sarah Jane Ripp (Callan) Donovan of Madison; her cousins Mary L. Palmer and Brooke M. Temby, and their families, all of Eagle Mountain, UT; and her beloved cat, Dexter. A private service was held for the family to honor Jean’s life and reunion with Bob, the love of her life. To honor Jean’s love for cats, please consider making a donation to the Humane Society of Jefferson County, W6127 Kiesling Rd, Jefferson, WI 53549 or at hsjc-wis.com/donate.

Winn-Cress Funeral Home
5785 Hwy Q
Waunakee, WI