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Obituary: Wendell Dean Swift, 97

Wendell Dean Swift was born on May 25, 1924, in Singapore Malaysia, and passed away at the age of 97 on Veterans’ Day, November 11, 2021, at Fairhaven Senior Living Center, Whitewater, WI. A memorial service was held at Fairhaven November 15, 2021, for family, residents, and staff, with plans for a Celebration of Life to be held summer 2022 for family and friends.

During WWII, Wendell served in the U. S. Navy, Fleet Air Wing 15, Headquarters Squadron, the North African Theater; then at the Naval Air Station, Sanford, FL.

Following military discharge, Wendell married his sweetheart Barbara Owens, July 12, 1946. In 2016, they celebrated 70 years of marriage!

In the early years of their marriage, Wendell tried his hand at farming. Failing that, he took the skill he learned in the Navy and worked in the aviation industry, first with Boeing in Wichita, KS, then at the U.S. Naval Air Station, Glenview, IL. For the next 26 years, he worked in various capacities in support of the off-road heavy equipment industry. In 1983 he was invited to China for three weeks to teach how to maintain the big mining equipment the Chinese were purchasing. He wrote a service manual to accompany him. He retired in December 1985 as Service Manager of the Construction Machinery Division of Bucyrus-Erie Company, after assisting in closing the last CMD manufacturing plant located in Erie, PA.

Wendell graduated high school in Waukesha, WI. During his career he completed a four-year night course in Business Management at Lake Forest College, Lake Forest IL, as well as numerous trade and professional training courses.

He held active memberships in the Methodist Church at each place of residence, serving in choirs and on various committees. Presently Wendell was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Whitewater, WI.

He was an active volunteer in many capacities, including Boy Scouts in IL; the Florida Military Aviation Museum; JAARS, the Jungle Aviation and Radio Service in N.C.; and Meals-on-Wheels in WI.

Wendell is survived by sister-in-law Haruye Swift of Nanuet, NY; sons Jack (Pat) Swift of Big Rock IL, son Larry (Beverly) of Round Rock, TX, daughter-in-law Maureen (Robert) Swift of Chicago, IL, and Margaret Swift of Cleveland, OH, as well as 5 grandchildren, 6 great grandsons, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Barbara Owens Swift; brothers Wilbur (Betty) Swift of West Bend, WI; Lawrence (Haruye) Swift of Nanuet, NY; sisters Lorinne (Allan) Muhasky of Whitewater, WI, and Lucille Nokes of Fort Atkinson, WI; son Robert (Maureen) Swift of Chicago, IL; and grandsons Nathan Rey Swift Rutledge of Cleveland, OH and Blain Owen Swift of Hinckley, IL.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorial donations be made to The First United Methodist Church or Fairhaven Senior Services, both of Whitewater, WI.

Whippet Girls Fall in Opener

The Whitewater Girls’ Basketball Team played their first regular season game against Lake Mills, a non-conference opponent, on Tuesday, November 16. The Whippets had trouble scoring early in the first half but battled hard with the Wildcats. They closed the gap to 8 points, but then ended the first half trailing by 13. 

Lake Mills pulled away in the second half by forcing turnovers with a full court press, and ended with the win, outscoring the Whippets 61-40. 

Kindyl Kilar led the team in scoring with 17 points, 12 of which were free throws. Mayte Navejas added 12 points, followed by Gwen Truesdale with 4. 

Come out to watch the Whippets play their first conference game at McFarland on Friday! 

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

Personalized Santa Letters Offered

Would you like to send a personalized letter to Santa and receive a letter back??

A Letters To Santa Mailbox is now located in the South Side vestibule at City Hall, located off of Whitewater Street.

Everyone has the fun opportunity to personalize a letter to Santa with a return address on the letter somewhere, drop off the letter in the designated mailbox, and receive a letter back from Santa before the Holidays.

The mailbox will be available Nov 15th- Dec 17th. If you would like a letter back, please be sure your return address is located on the letter; you do not need a self-addressed envelope.

Mr. & Mrs. Wally McDonell Celebrating 40th Wedding Anniversary

Mr. & Mrs. Wally McDonell will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary on November 21, 2021. Kimberlee Griffin and Wallace McDonell were married at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Reverend William Genzler officiated the 4 p.m. candle light ceremony. The McDonells have two children, Rachel Stelzer (Chris) of Phoenix, Arizona and Jonathan McDonell (Melissa) of Whitewater, Wisconsin. The couple will mark the occasion with a celebratory family trip to Kauai, Hawaii in March 2022.

Eight UW-W Students Win $7,000 Scholarships From Vaccine Incentive Campaign

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Another $56,000 has been awarded to vaccinated University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students as part of the ongoing efforts to keep the campus community as safe and healthy as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The latest round of scholarships comes as UW System announced Tuesday that 70 students have been selected through a random drawing to receive a $7,000 scholarship under the System’s Vax Up! “70 for 70” campaign. Eight Warhawks were chosen. 

“I got vaccinated to keep those around me safe. I completely isolated myself during quarantine, and it affected my mental health tremendously,” said Sydnie Holmes of Kenosha County, a women’s and gender studies major and one of UW-Whitewater’s scholarship winners. “Getting vaccinated meant I could see family and friends again without having the anxiety that something bad would happen to them. I was extremely proud of our campus for reaching the 70% goal. It gives me more hope that our society can bounce back from the pandemic and return to ‘normal.’”

Scholarship winner Hannah Mayer of Oak Forest, Illinois, a human resource management major, got vaccinated to protect her family and classmates and was excited to do her part to help UW-Whitewater surpass the vaccination goal.

“Knowing that enough of my fellow classmates took protecting their peers seriously showed me that I chose this school for a reason. I will always be proud to be a Warhawk, and this just adds to my pride!” Hannah said.

In addition to the $7,000 scholarships, earlier this semester UW-Whitewater was able to award $500 each to 40 vaccinated students as part of a weekly drawing. University Housing is also awarding first-assignment rights to two randomly selected vaccinated students, who will get first choice of their residence hall next year.

“All of the vaccination incentives — funded by UW System and generous donors to UW-Whitewater — made it possible for us to have a vibrant university experience this year with in-person classes and events,” said Interim Chancellor Jim Henderson. “It’s a win-win situation for our university community in that we are encouraging safe behaviors to combat the pandemic and also helping our students financially.”

The university’s vaccination rate is currently 77% for students and 91% for employees. Students, faculty and staff who have not yet done so are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated if they are able, and to report it to UW-Whitewater as soon as possible.

WHS Players Present “Footloose” Beginning Thursday

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the WHS Players.

Everybody cut loose as the WHS Players burst onto the stage with the explosive movie musical Footloose! Based on the 1984 film, this Oscar and Tony-nominated Top Forty score will keep audiences rockin’ from start to finish!

When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, he is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. But he’s not prepared for the strict local laws, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher. Reverend Moore is determined to exercise control over the town’s youth, including his rebellious daughter who sets her sights on Ren. The heartfelt story that emerges pins a father longing for the son he lost against a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people while guiding them with a warm heart and open mind.

Performances of Footloose will be held at the Whitewater high school auditorium on November 18, 19, and 20 at 7:30 p.m. and November 21 at 2 p.m.  Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. All seats are reserved and can be purchased by calling the box office at 262-472-8178.

Obituary: Terry Harlan Ostermeier, 84

Terry Harlan Ostermeier, 84, passed away at St. Mary’s Hospital in Janesville, Wisconsin on November 10, 2021 after a brief illness.

Terry was born on April 15, 1937 in New London, Wisconsin to George and Virginia (Dexter) Ostermeier and graduated New London High School in 1955.

He received his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from UW-Oshkosh in 1959 with majors in speech and history, his Master’s in speech from Marquette University in 1961, and his Ph.D. in communication from Michigan State University in 1966.

Terry married Arlene Louise Bjorngaard on May 9, 1964 in East Lansing, Michigan. Arlene and Terry moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin in July 1967 where they built a house in the country on a 20-acre woodlot.

Terry taught at Marquette, Michigan State, and State University of New York at Buffalo before moving to Whitewater, where he taught at UW-Whitewater for 33 years and served as Chair of the Communication Department from 1968-1988. He was one of the first professors in the state of Wisconsin to introduce and teach college courses in intercultural communication and an advanced course in listening.

Terry authored the book “A History of Speech at a Wisconsin Public University (Whitewater) 1868-1998,” his research was cited in books, and he had articles published in communication journals. Terry received the Wisconsin Communication Association Outstanding College Teaching Award in 1995 and the College of Arts and Communication Research Award in 1998.

Terry was a founding member of the International Listening Association in 1986. He was also a member of the Speech Communication Association, Pi Kappa Delta (forensics honorary), Phi Kappa Phi (education honorary), the Mayflower Society, and Founders and Patriots of America among other organizations.

His hobbies included genealogy, cooking, gardening, and traveling the world with Arlene.

Terry was preceded in death by his wife Arlene, father George, and mother Virginia. He is survived by sons Marc (Elissa Zurbuchen) and Eric (Melanie Burns), granddaughters Brita and Sara Ostermeier, sisters Judi Krablien, Boni Otto, and Kris Seefeldt, brother-in-law Pervin Bjorngaard (Lois), and sister-in-law Eileen Bjorngaard.

Terry was a member of St. Patrick Parish in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Burial will be held in the Church’s Calvary Cemetery in Whitewater.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 Southeast 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131 (www.parkinson.org).

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Leaf/Yard Waste Must Be By the Curb by Wednesday a.m.; Otherwise, a Dumpster Will Be Provided Starting Next Week

The City of Whitewater – Department of Public Works will be making the final pickups of leaf and yard waste beginning on Wednesday, November 17. All bags must be brought to the curb by that date.

For residents who miss the deadline, a dumpster will be available at the City garage (150 E. Starin Rd.) between November 22 – December 3, between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please note our facility will be closed on Thursday, November 25, and Friday, November 26. Spring collection will be dependent on weather conditions.

Yard waste is defined as leaves, weeds, grass clippings, and yard and garden debris. Yard waste must be bagged in 30 gallon or smaller biodegradable, clear or transparent bags only. Yard waste will not be collected if not property bagged or placed in non-transparent or black bags. The City offers Bio-Bags, in the fall only, at the Finance Department.

Residents may also use the compost site to dispose of leaf and yard waste. The compost site will be open this Wednesday from 2-6 p.m., which is its final day for the season.
Residents requesting brush collection should call 473-0560 by Tuesday at 5 a.m. to make an appointment for pick up on Tuesdays. A request may also be made online.

For additional questions or concerns, contact the Streets Department at (262) 473-0560.

This Week’s City & School District Meetings

Irvin L. Young Library Board of Trustees – Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes discussion of a Land Acknowledgement Statement.

This meeting will be both in-person and virtual.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84535237552?pwd=M2xsWm1rbHlzYTY3VFdpNkE5dTV6QT09
Meeting ID: 845 3523 7552
Passcode: 1cP5eZ8C
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,84535237552#,,,,45663309# US (New York) +13017158592,,84535237552#,,,,45663309# US (Washington DC)
Or telephone 1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 845 3523 7552
Passcode: 45663309

Whitewater Unified School District Policy Review Committee – Tuesday @ 9:00 a.m.
Agenda (Click on “meetings” in upper right hand corner)
Whitewater Unified School District Central Office
William D. Kyle Board Room
419 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes adoption of 2022-23 biennial budget, adoption of aldermanic districts, resolution confirming financial support for Irvin L. Young Library addition, ordinance prohibiting feeding of wild animals, and award of bid for lake dredging project.

This will be an IN PERSON MEETING as well as a VIRTUAL MEETING
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join us in person, or via computer, smart phone, or
telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83145943794?pwd=Ym8zcWNlOTFaNHhkeGtwQmU0ek1Udz09
Passcode: 033812
Or One tap mobile :
US: +13017158592,,83145943794#,,,,033812# or +13126266799,,83145943794#,,,,033812#
Or Telephone:
Dial 1 312 626 6799 or 1 877 853 5257 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 831 4594 3794
Passcode: 033812

City of Whitewater Parks and Recreation Board – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes 2021/22 WAFC Fee Schedule.
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/435658965
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (408) 650-3123
Access Code: 435-658-965

City of Whitewater Community Development Authority – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda
This will be an IN‐PERSON MEETING as well as a VIRTUAL MEETING.
Citizens are welcome and encouraged to join us in person, or via computer, smart phone, or
telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88696515774
Or Telephone
Dial US: +1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 886 9651 5774