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Police Dept. Seeks Help Identifying Vehicle in Hit & Run Accident in Business Park

Blue 2019 Nissan Murano with stock number: 21226832
Photo might be somewhat similar to the car being sought, although it is probably a lighter shade of blue

Editor’s note: The following information was posted to the Whitewater Police Department Facebook page. Lieutenant Shawn Reif told the Banner on the afternoon of January 1 that the vehicle has not yet been located.

*LOOKING FOR A TIP* On Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at approximately 7:47 a.m., the police department took a report of a hit and run accident that had occurred in the 900 block of N. Universal Blvd. within the past 24 hours. A fire hydrant on the east side of the roadway was struck and snapped off from its foundation resulting in approximately $7,500 in damages. Parts collected from the scene indicate that the hit and run vehicle is a Nissan Murano, medium blue in color. This vehicle will have extensive damage. If you have any information regarding this incident or any other illegal activities, please call us at (262) 473-0555 #4. You can also send a tip by accessing P3 Tips via their website or by downloading the app from the App Store or Google play. Tips are also welcomed through the Crime Stoppers hotline by dialing 262-723-2677. Any tips can be anonymous. Thank you and have a safe and happy new year!

Memory Cafe offered at the Jefferson Library – January 10

Editor’s Note: This information was provided by the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Jefferson County.

Please join the Glacial River Memory Café at the Jefferson Public Library on Monday, January 10th from 10:30 a.m.-12 pm (no obligation to stay the entire time). Join in great discussion about board games, learn about board game history, bring your own game and play a few new games! 😊  First timers are welcome!

A memory café is an informal social gathering for those living with early to mid-stage memory loss and their care partner.

Sign up online at librarymemoryproject.org/events

Lincoln Students Take Gingerbread STEM Challenge

Editor’s Note: This information was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.

Lincoln Elementary fifth grade students participated in the 2021 Global K-12 Gingerbread STEM Community Challenge. The objective of this project was to learn about, design, and build our community out of traditional gingerbread house supplies. Prior to constructing our community, students learned more about what is important to Whitewater. This year, students chose to represent small business as a way to honor them as they’ve navigated the pandemic. Students used the design process and skills relating to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics). 

During the project students had an opportunity to communicate with local businesses to learn a little bit more about what inspired them to be a small business owner. As a finale to the project, students participated in Zoom meetings with students in New Hampshire, Texas, and Kansas. The schools compared our communities and what makes our town special. Our students were shocked when we were talking with a city with more than 1,000,000 people! It was so fun for students to share our community with other parts of the country and compare our similarities and differences. We also had parents, community members, and local business owners in to check out the student work! 

Obituary: Sara Jane Woods, 82

Sara Jane Woods, 82, Whitewater passed away on Monday, December 13, 2021 at Fairhaven Senior Living in Whitewater, WI. 

Sara was born on December 24, 1938 in Peoria, IL to Riley and Evelyn (Moore) Woods.  She graduated from high school in Zanesville, OH in 1956.  Sara received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Ohio in 1960 and in August of 1972 received her Master of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.  Sara worked as a lab technician at the Fort Atkinson Hospital until she started as a third grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in Whitewater.  Upon retirement she opened Studio S, a yarn and weaving store in Richmond from 1992 until 2011.  Sara was a master knitter and spinner.  She was active in the Whitewater spinners and knitting guild for many years.  Sara taught weaving and won many awards for her woven and knitted garments.  She had a love for traveling and went on a number of Holland America cruises.   

She is survived by her sister, Stacia Paxton; niece and nephews: Joel Paxton, Julienne Sullivan and John Paxton. She is preceded in death by her brother-in-law Forrest Marvin Paxton.

Inurnment will take place at Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater, WI.

“May the winds of Heaven blow softly….And whisper in your ear how much we love and miss you and wish that you were here.” 

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Music Masters Photo Gallery

Editor’s Note: Tom Ganser provided the below photos from the Whitewater High School Music Masters Ensemble concert on December 13.

Obituary: Robert (Bob) Lewis Knudsen, 79

It is still hard to believe that our dear Robert (Bob) Lewis Knudsen, age 79, passed away unexpectedly at his home on December 1, 2021, and has since been joined by his beloved wife of 56 years, Nicole (Nikki) Knudsen.

Bob was born on November 13, 1942, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Lewis John and Phyllis Lorraine (Clancy) Knudsen. He grew up in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, graduating in 1961 from Nicolet High School. He always loved sports as indicated by his walking to Milwaukee Braves games. One of these times Warren Spahn saw him and a friend on the way and kindly gave them a ride to the ballpark in his pink Cadillac!

While at Wisconsin State University –Whitewater, Bob met Nikki. He graduated in 1965 with a BBA in Business Administration, and they were married on November 6th of that year. They lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin while Bob was in the Air National Guard and served in the states.

Returning to Whitewater, Bob bought Taft Insurance and began his lifelong career as an independent insurance agent, ultimately running his own agency, Knudsen Insurance, until his retirement.

Anything sport or game related, Bob either played it, coached it, attended it, or watched it on television. He was a lifelong fan of all sports teams in Wisconsin. He also was an avid fisherman, both ice and water, ran for many years, later walking 5 miles per day, bowled for his Chi Delta Rho (Lambda Iota) fraternity winning the University Championship and for the Whitewater University Gorillas that won the Wisconsin BAC Championship in 1965. He continued bowling throughout his life (300!). Enjoying the nice November weather this year he played some of his best golf just a couple weeks before he passed away.

Survived by his daughter, Kara (Mark) Voeller, and his son, Leif (Kimberly) Knudsen, grandchildren, Megan (Wellnitz) Watters, Jordain Wellnitz, and Anakin Knudsen, and great grandchildren, Kooper and Kane Watters. Also, survived by his dear brother Thomas (Cindy) Knudsen, and sister-in-law, Georgia Stilp, his nephews and niece and their families. Also survived by many dear friends.

Preceded in death by his parents, in-laws, brother-in-law, David Stilp, and fishing buddy Mitch Simon.

The family would like to thank the members of Jefferson County Sheriff Department and Nitardy Funeral Home for their help navigating this ‘life’ event. Also, thank you to all those that expressed their condolences. It is much appreciated!

A celebration of life will be held in early May 2022 for both Bob and Nikki at Willow Brook Golf Course.

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Obituary: Nicole (Nikki) Marie (Stilp) Knudsen, 76

Nicole (Nikki) Marie (Stilp) Knudsen: September 18, 1945 – December 15, 2021

It’s with a heavy heart we announce the passing of Nicole (Nikki) Marie (Stilp) Knudsen, age 76, on December 15, 2021, just two weeks to the day after losing her husband of 56 years, Robert (Bob) Lewis Knudsen.

Nikki was born on September 18, 1945, in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin to David D.E. and Yvonne Marie (Deney) Stilp and spent her entire early life there. She had many stories from these early years, one of which was helping her mom care for all manner of injured animals and nursing them back to health, including skunks, squirrels, raccoons, birds, and so on!

After graduating from Oconomowoc High School, she attended Wisconsin State University – Whitewater where she met her beloved husband, Bob. They were married November 6, 1965, in Oconomowoc and resided in the Milwaukee area while Bob was in the service. After that, they moved back to Whitewater where they lived the remainder of their lives.

Besides her dear family, friends, and faith, another important part of Nikki’s life was art. She explored all manner of artistic endeavor; haiku, papermaking, creating books and designing greeting cards, pencil drawings, and painting that displayed her love of nature in all its forms. She was an accomplished and award-winning water colorist, displaying and selling pieces throughout the Midwest. For several years, she and three others had their own gallery. Active in the art world, she was on the board of the Milwaukee Arts Council, a member of the Black Hawk Artists in Fort Atkinson, was honored with a retrospective of some of her works at the Hoard Museum, etc.

Nikki was predeceased by her husband, her parents, in-laws Lewis and Phyllis Knudsen, brother David Stilp, and many dear family members and friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Kara (Mark) Voeller, and son, Leif (Kimberly) Knudsen. Grandchildren Megan (Wellnitz) Watters, Jordain Wellnitz, and Anakin Knudsen. Great grandchildren, Kooper and Kane Watters. Further survived by her Brother-in-law, Thomas (Cindy) Knudsen, Sister-in-law, Georgia Stilp, and her dear niece and nephews and their families. She is also survived by many special family members and friends.

The family would like to thank Nitardy Funeral Home for their help and compassion, Marija for the care and love she provided Nikki in recent years, our beloved Miss Veronica, Miss Jackie, and Miss Nikya for their aid and support during the last weeks of her life. There truly are angels on earth! Also, a special thank you to Rainbow Hospice and their staff.

A celebration of life will be held in May 2022 at Willow Brook Golf Course in Whitewater.

Obituary: Lyle A Blaedow, 88

Lyle A Blaedow

(1933 – 2021)

Lyle A Blaedow: age 88, of Whitewater, WI passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, December 23, 2021.

Lyle was born in Waukesha, WI on July 4, 1933, the son of the late William and Orpha (Klix) Blaedow.  

Growing up in Little Prairie, WI Lyle had two brothers and two sisters (Beverly, Judith, Wayne, and Robert “Rocky”).

On October 25, 1951, Lyle married the love of his life Theressa S Grelewics.  Together, they had seven children (Dan, Mike, Debbie, Tim, Randy, Kim and Chris).  Theressa passed in September 1999.

Lyle worked for over 25 years at Trent Tube in East Troy Wisconsin.  Upon retiring, Lyle’s primary focus was his family, traveling, fishing, and becoming closer to his Lord and Savior.  Lyle would often say, “there is a better place for us after our life here on earth is over and that he was ready when the Lord wanted him”.

In recent years, Lyle enjoyed Friday night fish fries with his son Dan and daughter-in-law Dori.  Sunday dinners with his son Kim and daughter-in-law Brenda.  He was also an avid bowler and especially enjoyed spending time with his sister Beverly and her husband Richard shopping and joining friends at the senior center.

Lyle was a devoted and loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother who will be greatly missed.  At the end of every encounter, Lyle would always take the time to say, “I love you”.

Lyle also enjoyed sharing his cat Sammy with his many friends and neighbors at Mulberry Glen Apartments.  Neighbors would ask Lyle to “bring Sammy out” so they too could enjoy Sammy’s antics.

Lyle was preceded in death by his father, William, mother, Orpha, wife of 47 years Theressa, daughter Debbie, sons Randy and Michael, brother Wayne, sister Judith Foltz and grandson Mikey .

Lyle is survived by his sons Dan (Dori), Tim (Antonio), Kim (Brenda) and Chris (Maggie) as well as by many grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.  Lyle is further survived by his sister Beverley (Richard) Grosskreutz of Whitewater, WI, his brother Rocky Blaedow of Rhinelander, WI and his sister-in-law Ginger Blaedow of Palmyra, WI and a host of relatives and friends.

Memorial service will be held 1:00 pm Thursday January 6, 2022 at Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Home 730 N. Wisconsin St. Elkhorn, WI.  Visitation will be at the funeral home from 11:00 am until time of service.  Private family graveside service will be at Little Prairie Cemetery, Little Prairie, WI.  Online guestbook is at www.haaselockwoodfhs.com.  

Matthew 5:4 – Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Jim Stewart Published the Banner Alone, But We Could Use More Volunteers

The Whitewater Banner has always been a volunteer effort, and while our small volunteer team really enjoys what we do, we could use a little more help. Could one of the following roles be of interest to you? You’d need to have access to the Internet/email, but advanced technical skills aren’t required.

  • Content editor: Format material such as press releases onto our WordPress software. Much of the time it’s copy/paste of text plus deciding what will work as an image.
  • Ad rep: Respond to inquiries about advertising. Actively seeking new advertisers could also be included but is optional. Insert ads into our software and manage their ongoing placement.
  • School Board reporter:  Watch School Board meetings and report objectively on information presented and decisions made. It isn’t necessary to watch the entire meeting, or even every meeting, depending upon what’s on the agenda.
  • Feature writer:  This individual could have quite a bit of freedom in discovering subjects that would be of interest to our readers, doing research/interviews, and writing articles. Our policy does not allow for covering political matters, other than elections, and we generally avoid controversial issues.

If you have a potential interest in any of these areas, please email us at whitewaterbanner@gmail.com.