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Obituary: Lois Ann Olds, 87, of Friendship, WI

Lois Ann Olds, age 87, of Friendship, Wisconsin passed away Friday, December 10, 2021 at Fair View Nursing Home in Mauston, Wisconsin.

Lois was born July 18, 1934 in Capron County, Illinois.  She was the daughter of Herbert and Mabel Eggleston.   She married Charles J. Olds on October 18, 1952 in Whitewater, Wisconsin.  They were married for 69 years. 

Lois had a green thumb and could make anything grow.  She always had a garden and canned everything.  Lois also had flowers galore. She was an avid knitter and crocheter.  Lois also loved putting puzzles together and baking.  She also had a love for cats.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Mabel Eggleston; son, Dennis Ray Olds; sisters:  Irene Heedrick and Eileen Culver; and sisters-in-law, Florence Eggleston and Lorraine Mould.

Survivors: Husband, Charles J. Olds; daughter, Deborah McDonal of Friendship, WI; sons: Greg (Sandy) Olds of Whitewater, WI; Jeff Olds of New Lisbon, WI; Keith (Helen) Olds of Whitewater, WI; and Scott Olds of Friendship, WI; grandchildren:  Ben, Katie, Tina, Tarina, Amanda, Jerrica, Nicki, Emily,  and Tracy; and great-grandchildren:  Cooper, Tucker, Dakota, Hayden, Skye, Braxton, Ophilia, Javian, and Cameron; brothers: Kenneth Eggleston of Adams-Friendship and Robert Eggleston of Florida.   Further survived by many nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Roseberry’s Funeral Home is assisting the family.  Visit www.roseberrys.com for online condolences and further information.

Our Readers Share: Elvira Kau – Lake Bed Controlled Burn Underway

Elvira Kau writes, “Field & Stream Restoration was burning along the exposed lakebed of Cravath Lake Friday afternoon. Photos were shot south of the park, on the west side of the shoreline opposite the cemetery.”

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Our thanks to Elvira Kau for sharing these timely photos.

Previous posts on the Banner regarding the burn:

Update Dec. 17: Eric Boettcher, city Parks & Recreation Director, told the Banner, “It looks like favorable weather to start the burns on the dried lake bed vegetation on Trippe and Cravath lakes.  Ignition will likely start at 11 a.m. [TODAY, Friday] and end about 3 p.m.  We plan to try and burn Friday and Saturday of this week and Monday through Wednesday of next week. 

Update Dec. 14: Kristin Mickelson, city PR and Communications Manager, told the Banner that it is still hoped that the controlled burn can begin this week; however, it has been delayed due to wind and visibility concerns. No further information is available at this time.

December 9, 2021

Dear City of Whitewater residents,

Between December 13 to December 23, Field & Stream Restorations will conduct prescribed burns on the two lake beds, Trippe and Cravath.  The purpose of the burn is to prepare for the dredging that may occur in 2022 and the subsequent lake refilling.   Prescribed burning is an excellent tool for reducing above-ground biomass (plant material).  

We will start by creating burn breaks (unburnable strips on the ground) around the burn units.  In some cases this may involve mowing and raking vegetation to create nearly bare soil conditions.  We will examine the wind direction and speed to determine the best and safest ignition pattern.  

Field & Stream Restorations is insured and has burned hundreds of acres safely, and will do so at this site.  We employ nationally trained firefighters.  We will be equipped with several types of mobile water sources for fire suppression, including water backpacks , UTV’s, and ATV’s with mounted sprayers.   At no time should you ever feel that your residence is at risk.  We have examined the site and have determined that the necessary fire breaks can be created to burn safely.

For those who live near the lake, on the day of the burn we ask that you do the following for us:

  1. Close your windows and doors when not at home and the day of the burn so that smoke does not enter your home.
  2. Allow us to do our work uninterrupted, distractions to fire spotters create unnecessary risks.
  3. Approach us before you call the fire department.

For more information, call, text, or email Steve Banovetz, Senior Scientist, Field & Stream Restorations, 608-320-2338 or email.  Please also visit the Field and Stream Restorations website. For additional questions, contact Parks and Recreation Director, Eric Boettcher 262-473-0122 or email. 


Girls Fall to Edgerton in Basketball

The Whitewater Girls’ Basketball Team travelled to Edgerton for a conference game Thursday, December 16. The Whippets struggled to create scoring opportunities on offense in the first half. Going into halftime we were down 10-43. 

Mayte Navejas

In the second half, the team moved the ball better and executed on offense, outscoring Edgerton 17-15, but could not close the gap, losing 27-58. 

Kindyl Kilar had 7 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. Mayte Navejas also scored 7, and had 3 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 assists. Jenna Pope added 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist. Danielle DePorter had 4 points, 1 rebound, and a steal. Gwen Truesdale ripped down 7 rebounds and had 1 block. Cali Kopecky also scored 4 points. 

Article Submitted by Kristen Lippens
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
klippens@wwusd.org
File Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka

Waukesha County DA Drops Potential Case Re: Whitewater Police Chief; City Updates Status of Leave

By Al Stanek
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

As the Banner previously published, the city of Whitewater announced on December 3 that Police Chief Aaron M. Raap had been placed on paid administrative leave while an internal investigation would be conducted by an outside agency regarding an incident that took place outside the city. “The leave is not considered punitive, rather part of the Whitewater Police Department policy,” the city’s press release stated.

WKOW reported on December 15 that the Waukesha County district attorney had dropped a potential domestic battery case against Raap. Per WKOW, District Attorney Susan Opper released a statement saying, “Please be advised the DA’s office has declined to issue criminal charges due to a lack of evidence to establish that Mr. Raap intended to inflict bodily harm on anyone.”

The city of Whitewater, indicating that it had received a number of media inquiries regarding the status of the internal investigation, stated the following in a press release on December 16: “The procedure is part of a broader effort to maintain the integrity of the organization as a whole, not a criminal investigation. As a result, the internal investigation runs independent from any decisions made by other agencies including
Waukesha County’s District Attorney’s Office and will be completed as soon as possible.”

WKOW’s article quoted City Manager Cameron Clapper as telling them that “a law enforcement officer from an agency other than Whitewater Police and the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department is conducting the personnel investigation for the city of Whitewater. He [Clapper] says Whitewater’s Police and Fire Commission will consider the investigator’s report and decide on Raap’s employment status.”

Police K-9 Officer Tilla Retires from the Police Department

Officer Justin Stuppy and K9 Officer Tilla


Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the city of Whitewater.

The City of Whitewater and Whitewater Police Department wish their
current police K-9 officer well as he retires from the department.

Tilla, a 5-year-old male, black German Shepherd from the Netherlands was sworn in as the department’s K-9
officer in December of 2018. Tilla graduated from Little Rock K9 Academy after months of training.
Tilla, certified in narcotics detection, tracking lost persons or suspects and apprehension, worked diligently with
his handler, Officer Justin Stuppy for the past three years. Tilla will continue to reside with Stuppy, who is
ending employment with the WPD this week. Tilla will get to stay with his family and enjoy the remainder of his
life retired at home.

Prior to Tilla, Stuppy was also the canine handler for Ruso who sadly passed away in July of 2018. Both Ruso
and Tilla trained with the well-respected Little Rock K-9 Academy.

The City of Whitewater and the WPD thank all citizens and organizations who have worked so diligently to
fundraise and provide financial support for Tilla and K-9 Handler/Officer Stuppy over the years.

WPD anticipates continuing the canine program in 2022

Little Dribblers and Shooting Stars have a Great Year

Editor’s Note: This information was submitted by Coach (Bob) Schramm

Little Dribblers (Kindergarten and 1st graders) and Shooting Stars (2nd and 3rd graders) completed another great year.   Participants learned listening, passing, dribbling, rebounding, defensive and shooting skills.  All participants showed a great deal of progress as the 8-week clinic proceeded. 

Little Dribblers
Shooting Stars

Coach Bob believes there is a bright future ahead for the girls and boys basketball teams with these dedicated basketball players.

Congratulations to all, Coach Bob, Coach Adam, Coach Zander

Poinsettias from Kiwanis to be at City Market

Editor’s Note: The information below was provided by the Kiwanis Whitewater Breakfast Club.

Looking for a beautiful poinsettia for the holidays?  Join us this Saturday from 10 a.m. to Noon at the Library during the Whitewater City Market and you can purchase one of the last available Kiwanis poinsettias.  Your purchase will help the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club help the children in Whitewater and the world.  There are just a few left, and you can have one!  Kiwanis members hope to see you Saturday!

Obituary: Andrew “Andy” Thomas Gross II, 36

Andrew “Andy” Thomas Gross II, 36, of Whitewater passed away on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at Fort Memorial Hospital.

Andy was born on September 24, 1985 in West Allis to Andrew and Evelyn (Keehn) Gross. He was first employed at Center Street Super Value Grocery Store in Whitewater. He then moved to the West Coast for several years, where he was married and together they had one daughter, Cassie, who was his entire world. He returned to Whitewater in 2019 and began working at Home Lumber. His goal in life was to have a family.

He enjoyed going fishing with friends, squidding, playing PC games, building and woodworking, cooking and smoking meats, and especially spending time with his daughter and family. He was very handy and loved working with cars and motorcycles.

Andy is survived by his father, Andrew Gross; mother, Evelyn (Doug) Schickinger; daughter, Cassie Gross; siblings, Joey (Amanda) Gross, Charlie Gross, Katie (Nick) Carpenter, Sami Gross; wife, Bethany Gross; paternal grandmother, Harriet Gross; many nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles.

He is preceded in death by maternal grandparents; paternal grandfather; cousins; and uncle.

The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Pham and his nurse, Cee, for their exceptional care at UW-Hospital in Madison.

Funeral services will take place at 11AM on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb Street, Whitewater, WI 53190.

Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Obituary: Robert Francis Wojtkunski, 81

Robert Francis Wojtkunski, 81, born October 10th, 1940 in Whitewater, Wisconsin, passed away December 12th, 2021 at Alden Estates of Jefferson.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents Mike and Neeva Wojtkunski, brother and sister in law Edward (Mary) Wojtkunski, and sister Carol Gabriel.

Survivors include brothers William (Sandy), Thomas (Cathie), Michael (Gail); a sister Mary, several nieces and nephews.

Special thank you to all the nurses and staff at Alden Estates of Jefferson and Rainbow Hospice for your care and compassion.

A private service will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Palmyra at a later date.

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