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Obituary: Douglas Lester Mayer, 92

Douglas Lester Mayer, 92, passed away at Hearthstone Memory Care on December 10, 2021 with his family present. Douglas was born on June 8, 1929 to Clarence and Selma Mayer (Matter). Douglas grew up with his parents, brothers and sisters in Waterford WI. After graduation from Waterford Union High School, Douglas proudly served his country by joining the army. He served from 1951 to 1953 earning an honorable discharge.  On November 26, 1955 he married the love his life, Mary “Ginger” Rassel and they settled in Waterford, WI to start and build their life together. Doug’s strong faith and belief in family and country is reflected in the way he lived. After struggling to start a family, Doug and Ginger began as foster parents while waiting to adopt children of their own. Through the course of their marriage, they took care of 22 foster children, and were able to adopt four children as their own.

In 1968, Douglas completed the training program for the Wisconsin State Patrol, where he served the citizens of Walworth County, and the State of Wisconsin for 26 years. During this time, he worked as the Court Officer for Walworth County, and worked closely with the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department, District Attorney’s office and as Governor Thompson’s escort. In addition, Doug served as Treasurer for Town of Waterford and was a member of Knights of Columbus.

Everyone who knew Doug, knew his wife and children were the most important part of his life. He never failed to talk about his kids to whoever listened, and until the day he died, spoke of Ginger as the love of his life.

Douglas is survived by his wife Ginger; children: Julie Chriske (John); Lori Schiemann (Paul); Paul Mayer, Angela Hanna (Bryan); grandchildren, Joshua Maerzke (Lindsey), Sarah Wolf, Jacob Maerzke, Benjamin Maerzke, Rachael Maerzke, Justin (Diana) Schiemann, Jessica Schiemann, Aaron Schiemann, Samantha Mayer, Breanna Hanna, Talayeh Hanna, Brayden Hanna; great grandchildren, Alysse Maerzke. Paige Huerta-Schiemann, Noah Schiemann, Bianka Schiemann, Jack Wolf, Charlie Messer, Walter Clark II; sisters Gloria Coe, Diane Janke, and Margie Staebler.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings: David, Daniel, Roger, Frank, Ronald, Darlene; son-in-law Paul D. Schiemann, and numerous other family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 12PM on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at Nitardy Funeral Home in Whitewater. A visitation will take place from 10AM until the time of service. A burial will take place at a later date at the Southern Wisconsin Veteran’s Cemetery in Union Grove.

The family would like to thank the staff at Hearthstone Memory Care for loving Doug and treating him as part of their family. Special thanks to Stephanie, Jessica, Terri, and Sarah. In addition, the family would like to thank Rainbow Hospice, especially Kendra for taking care of dad as he neared the end of his life. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Hearthstone Memory Care.

Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

WUSD All City 5th Grade Choir Concert Dec. 14

Picture from last concert, December 2019

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by Christine Hayes, Lincoln K-5 Music Teacher.


The WUSD 5th Grade Choir Program is back and excited to perform their Winter Concert on Tuesday, Dec. 14 at 7:00 PM in the high school auditorium!  This 70 voice choir is comprised of students from all three elementary schools and promises to fill your heart with joy!  This concert is free of charge. Teachers are Christine Hayes, Lincoln; Justin Kamp, Lakeview; and Val Troxel, Washington, and accompanied by Barb Taylor.

Five Whippet Wrestlers Medal at Whitewater Invitational

On Saturday, December 11, the Whippet Wrestling Team hosted their 8th annual Whitewater Invitational. This year proved to be one of the most competitive team-wise as a couple of new teams were added to the mix to make things much more competitive in many of the weight classes.

Carter Friend and Mason DePorter

When all was said and done, the coaching staff was very pleased with the performance of the team as we felt they wrestled very well throughout the day. On the day the Whippets had approximately 70 matches, so there are always some you look back on and wish you could get back, but overall it was a very good day. In the end, Whitewater finished in 4th place, which surprised the coaches as we felt we had wrestled very well and would be higher, but that just demonstrated the level of competition they saw. In the end we were only 20 points out of first, so the top 4 were all close.

Individually, Whitewater had 6 wrestlers place in the top three and make podium. Once again Carter Friend worked his way through the 170-pound weight class, bringing home first place for the second week in a row.

Mason DePorter had the crowd on their feet in his championship match. It was the very last match of the tournament, so all eyes were on him, and it was against an opponent whose team was vying to overtake Whitewater in the standings. After falling behind early and having some calls that got many in the gym fired up, Mason showed lots of grit and emotion and threw his opponent to his back with less than 1:00 left and pinned him. The gym went crazy, as did Mason! This marked the first of many future Whitewater championships to be won on the newly donated mat.

Connor Friend put together a very successful day as he rolled his way into the finals, only to fall to a very tough opponent from Riverdale, 6-1. Overall, Connor looked very good as he beat a couple of opponents who on paper were seeded higher than him in the tournament.

Coming in 3rd place was Jason Villegas who wrestled well but dropped a couple of close matches.

Hector Arnodo placed 3rd as well. Hector wrestled well all day only losing once close match.

Aaron Porras came into the tournament in one of the top three weight classes in the tournament. He started off as an 8th seed but wrestled extremely well coming in 3rd place. As the day went on he felt he was not feeling well but he told the coaching staff he wanted to keep going. In the end he proved that the mindset is a powerful tool in his reaching the podium!

A big thank you goes out to the wrestling parents who once again stepped up as they do and put together a great meal for the coaches, officials, and workers. That is much appreciated by the officials who do an outstanding job in an often thankless position! Also, thank you to Sam Brown and Sterling Truesdale for staying after the Girls’ Basketball game right until the end, helping set up the four mats. It was much appreciated!

Carter Friend

The Whippets are next in action on Tuesday night when they host the Tiders of Edgerton! We will be dedicating a new wrestling mat to the program as a pre-meet ceremony.

Article Submitted by John Schimming
Whitewater High School Head Wrestling Coach
jschimming@wwusd.org
Photos Courtesy of Bob Mischka

UW-Whitewater Ceramics Sale will be December 17 and 18

Editor’s note: This information was provided by the College of Arts and Communication, Department of Art and Design at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

The UW-Whitewater College of Arts and Communication is pleased to announce the 43rd Ceramics Sale. This year the sale will take place in rooms 108 and 109 of the Community Engagement Center (1260 W. Main St. Whitewater, WI, 53190) on Friday, December 17 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm and Saturday, December 18, 2021 from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Proceeds from the sale go towards the artists and the student organizations that facilitate the event. Masks are required for anyone entering a campus building. Do not come to campus if you are ill. For the most up to date campus safety information, visit the Warhawks are Back webpage at the link below. uww.edu/warhawks-are-back.

The ceramics sale features handmade, functional ceramic artwork created by members of the UW-Whitewater Department of Art and Design’s Ceramics program, past and present. Sales from items purchased supports the student UW-Whitewater Ceramics Organization’s goals in bringing regionally, nationally and internationally recognized ceramic artists to UW-Whitewater for visiting artist presentations and workshops, providing funding for field trips and other extracurricular opportunities, and more.

Associate Professor and organizer, Jared Janovec states “It’s great to be back! We have moved over to the Community Engagement Center which will allow our community greater access. The faculty, staff and students who created these works are very talented in their crafts and there are some really unique pieces on display. We can’t wait to see everyone in person after living in a realm of digital media for the last two years.”

In past years, the sale has included the Jewelry and Print areas. This year, the jewelry student organization has chosen to hold their sale online. More information will be posted when available to the official Facebook event at: https://fb.me/e/153BZYi5J. 

This Week’s City & School Board Meetings (UPDATE: Fire Dept. on Tues.)

CITY OF WHITEWATER ALCOHOL LICENSING COMMITTEE MEETING – Monday @ 12:00 p.m.
IN PERSON MEETING
Community Room – Whitewater Municipal Building
312 W. Whitewater St.
Agenda: Request for “Class B” Beer and Liquor license from Fine Food Arts, Jay
Stinson, Agent. (Sale of Black Sheep, 210 W. Whitewater Street.)

City of Whitewater Plan and Architectural Review Commission – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes request for conditional use permit for change of ownership of restaurant at 210 W. Whitewater St.
This meeting is IN-PERSON and VIRTUAL
City of Whitewater Municipal Building
Community Room- First Floor
312 W. Whitewater St.
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/918934661
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (872) 240-3212
Access Code: 918-934-661

Whitewater Unified School District School Board – Tuesday @ 9:00 a.m.
School District Central Office
William D. Kyle Board Room
419 South Elizabeth Street
Agenda – click on “meetings” in the upper right hand corner

Whitewater Fire Department, Inc Business Meeting – Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda: Kent donation – creation of “Hickey Fund”
This meeting will have a virtual option. Please join the meeting from your
computer, tablet or smartphone :
meet.google.com/dhb-txsi-sow
You can also dial in using your phone
United States:
Meeting ID: +1 605-865-2089
Passcode: 457 936 458#


City of Whitewater Community Development Authority Board of Directors – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes review and accept contract for demolition of interior of the residential structure
located at 206 N. Cravath Street

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82003023913
Or Telephone: `1 312 626 6799 or 888 475 4499 (Toll
Free)
Webinar ID: 820 0302 3913

Obituary: Nancy Jo Lenz, 83

Lenz, Nancy Jo

(Nee Coburn) Born to eternal life on Wednesday, December 8th, 2021, age 83 years. Beloved wife of Jerold. Dear mother of Sheldon (Emily) Lenz. Loving grandmother of Rachel, Rebecca, and Joshua. Sister of Karen (the late Joseph Svec) Coburn and the late James (Virginia) Coburn. Also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Memorial visitation will take place on Wednesday, December 15th, 2021 at HALES CORNERS LUTHERAN CHURCH (12300 W. Janesville Rd., Hales Corners) from 11 AM until the time of service at 1 PM.

If so desired, memorials to Hales Corners Lutheran Church Music Ministry appreciated.


Heritage Funeral Homes
4800 S. 84th St. (414) 321-7440
www.heritagefuneral.com

Seniors in the Park Presents Mixed Nuts

“Mixed Nuts”
Tuesday, December 14, 1 pm
(Comedy/Drama/Holiday)1 hour, 37 minutes; Rated PG-13 (1994)
Unusual events occur on Christmas Eve at a crisis hotline in Venice, CA. 
Nora Ephron (“Sleepless in Seattle”) wrote and directed this Yuletide comedy starring Steve Martin, Madeline Kahn, Rob Reiner, Rita Wilson and Jon Stewart. 

Girls Fall to Jefferson After Second Half Comeback

The Whitewater Girls’ Basketball Team played a home game against Jefferson Friday night, December 10.

Gwen Truesdale

The Whippets had trouble scoring in the first half, ending the half in a 14 point deficit, at 13-27. They battled back the second half, playing through lots of contact. The Whippets tightened up in the last 6 minutes of the game, closing a 17-point gap to 12, and then exploded with 1:30 left on the clock. Gwen Truesdale and Cali Kopecky scored 5 points apiece, getting us within 6 points. We managed to out-rebound and outscore Jefferson 25-23 in the second half, but came up short, losing 40-48.

Gwen Truesdale led the Whippets with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals, and 1 assist. Cali Kopecky followed with 7 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal. Kindyl Kilar added 5 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 assist. Jenna Pope contributed with 5 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. Mayte Navejas had 4 points, 4 steals, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists. Calli Grosinske and Danielle DePorter each added 2 points and 1 rebound. Aidyn Amundson ripped down 5 rebounds and had 1 assist.

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

Free Christmas Concert at Kettle Moraine Baptist Church

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by Kettle Moraine Baptist Church.

We want you to celebrate Christmas with us! The members of Kettle Moraine Baptist Church invite you to come and experience the joy of the Christmas season!
Bring your friends & family to a free Christmas concert featuring a cantata titled “Our Lord, Emmanuel: A Christmas Celebration.”
We would love to have you join us for this one-hour program followed by an informal reception featuring homemade Christmas cookies!

Sunday, December 12 at 6:00 p.m.

Kettle Moraine Baptist Church
Pastor Steve Kindstedt
505 S Wisconsin St.
Whitewater, WI 53190
262-473-2224
www.kmbcwi.org
FB: @KettleMoraineBaptistChurch

League of Women Voters Whitewater Area Honors Kristy Weinberg

Editor’s Note: The League of Women Voters provided this information.

The League of Women Voters of the Whitewater Area is delighted to announce that Kristy Weinberg, Director of The Bethel House of Whitewater, was chosen as the recipient of the League’s 2021 Making Democracy Work Award for her compassionate work helping families facing homelessness in Whitewater.  For over ten years, Kristy has administered transitional housing and case management needs to at-risk Whitewater families to build a more equitable and inclusive community. These values exemplify the spirit and the mission of the League. 

Kristy Weinberg was recently awarded the 2021 Making Democracy Work Award

A recognition ceremony for Kristy was filmed by Whitewater Community TV on Dec 3rd and is available for viewing at: https://vimeo.com/654247489. Tributes were made by Dave Gamble, Bethel House treasurer, and Jim Winship, a founding member of Bethel House and current board vice president.  

The League’s annual Making Democracy Work Award was established in 2010 for the purpose of honoring the civic work of individuals or groups that make our community a safer and fairer place in which to live.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Visit their website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area and like them on Facebook!