Life Events

MILO “MICK” Brown 1943-2026

Mick passed away unexpectedly at home on July 2, 2026.

Born on August 14,1943 in Madison to parents Robert Brown and Phyllis (Jones) Brown, Mick grew up working on farms. The family moved to the Whitewater area, and while going to High School, Mick met the love of his life who he would soon marry. Shirley (Fischer) Brown was sitting next to him in History class and during a test he was more concerned about eating candy and offering some to her than taking the exam. The two were married on April 4, 1964, in Whitewater and would be blessed with two children, Jill and Jere.

After a tour in the US Army, Mick would return home and begin driving trucks over the road for Markham Trucking and then as an Owner/Operator. Honest work that would keep him away during the week and provide only weekends at home. Even though he enjoyed the open road, when the opportunity came to be home daily, he decided to make a change. He went to work for Hagen Trucking making daily runs and working in the shop as a diesel mechanic. He “officially” retired from there, but he never really did get the feel of a steering wheel out of his blood. He continued to help longtime friend Chuck Pope haul corn at harvest time keeping his CDL until his last day.

One of his proudest accomplishments in life was his loving family anchored by Shirley for over 62 years of marriage. Through the good times and the bad they supported each other with everlasting love. They endured through the tragedy of losing their son Jere and rejoiced in the miracle of a grandchild when Jill had a little girl named Madison. Jill’s husband Tom was serving active duty in the Air Force, so Mick and Shirley would take as many trips as they could to Arkansas, New Jersey, and finally Texas to visit. In 2010, after military retirement, the final move for Jill and family was to settle down in Darien on a small hobby farm that Mick would help build and maintain, putting up pens, and helping with the revolving need to bale the hay fields. He took incredible pride in being able to see Madison grow up and attend her school performances in the drama club and many fair events as a member of the Richmond 4-H Club.

When not busy working, two of Mick’s hobbies were antique tractors and dirt track sprint car racing. He was proud of the tractors he had restored and would drive them in parades when he could. He also spent hours watching his favorite races either at tracks or on tv while enjoying a cold beer.

Mick is survived by his wife, Shirley (Fischer) Brown of Whitewater, Daughter Jill (Thomas) Strickler of Darien, Granddaughter Madison Strickler of Darien, Brother Terry Brown of Fort Atkinson, his nieces and nephews, and many friends.

Mick is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Phyllis Brown, son Jere Brown, and sister Kay Krueger.

In honor of Mick’s final wishes, there will be no formal services.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Richmond 4-H Club or the Whitewater American Legion.

Nitardy Funeral Home has been entrusted with Mick’s care.

Long-time Whitewater resident, Thomas (Tom) E. Christofferson passed away peacefully on July 12, 2026 at age 91.

He was born to Cecilia and Fritz Christofferson on January 13, 1935 in Beloit, Wisconsin. He maintained a close relationship with his siblings, Fran and Lawrence, and brother-in-law Bob Kernland, until their deaths. Tom treasured ongoing connection with in-laws Ann & Ted Lamber and nieces and nephews in Switzerland, Norway, and throughout the United States.

Tom married his high school blind date, Karen Kernland, on August 13, 1960. He served in the Army National Guard in Washington State and returned to Wisconsin to raise 3 children. They built a strong sense of community in Whitewater, WI where they lived for 60 years. Tom was dedicated to serving his community through Jaycees, Kiwanis, the Whitewater Economic Development Committee and helping countless people along his path. Tom and Karen enjoyed travels in North America and Europe, maintaining lifelong friendships along the way.

Tom was genuinely interested in people, quick with a smile, and always found a way to make others feel accomplished, accepted, and purposeful.

He earned degrees from UW-Madison, taught and coached in public schools in Beloit and Manitowoc and served as the principal for Washington Elementary School in Whitewater until his retirement in1993. He was a vocal supporter of music, sports, and outdoor education. He had a beautiful singing voice, loved to play tennis and golf, and never missed a Badger, Packer, or Brewers game.

Tom’s special place was “The Cottage” in Vilas County, Wisconsin. Fishing, hunting and teaching his grandkids the wonders of the woods and lakes “filled his bucket.”

He leaves a loving family to carry on his legacy of kindness and curiosity; wife Karen Christofferson of Whitewater; children Cynthia (Jeff) Bachmann of Elkhart Lake, WI , Susan (Kuang Yu) Huang of Geneva, IL, and Peter (Kate) Christofferson of Oregon, WI; grandchildren Kai (Monica) Bachmann, Nathan (Heather) Bachmann, Ben (Bernadette) Bachmann, Nicholas Huang, Andrew Christofferson, and Carolyn Christofferson. In recent years, Tom was charmed by 5 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Tom’s life will be held at a later date.

Many thanks to the wonderful nurses and CNAs from Hearthstone and Rainbow Hospice for their heartfelt care. Special thanks to his doctors, Dr. John Phelan and Dr. Nathan Besch.

The family requests that memorials for Tom be directed to:

Rainbow Hospice
Fairhaven/Hearthstone
The Reese Brantmeier Project (www.reesebrantmeierproject)

Nitardy Funeral Home has been entrusted with Tom’s care.

The world became significantly less loud on July 3, 2026 when Denny Knopp, local entrepreneur and official King of Denny K’s, decided he’s finally had enough of us and clocked out for good.

Denny was a complex, beautifully stubborn and opinionated man. To some he was a hard-working sledge-hammer-swinging good friend who could fix just about anything. To others he was a philosopher king bestowing breakfast idioms of wisdom over pancakes at Jessica’s Family Restaurant while chatting with friends about the town’s ‘Doodlers’ and others.

His culinary empire began at the tender age of 13 slinging hash as a cook for his mom’s diner, THE BUSY BEE, that sparked a lifelong passion for cooking which led him to owning the legendary Denny K’s in Whitewater. If you’ve ever visited, you likely saw Denny anchored to his designated spot watching old western movies and waiting to cook you something while you enjoyed your beer.

While Denny loved escaping to Florida, everyone knew his absolute favorite most magical moments were spent with the true boss of his life, his mom Marcella ‘Marcy’ Armstrong. Denny was a fiercely loyal, exceptional son who spent his life making sure Marcy was taken care of. Proof that beneath that rough sarcastic exterior was a notoriously kind gentleman with such a giving heart.

He was also a man of random gift giving. If you were among the “chosen few” Denny might randomly show up at your doorstep to hand you a piece of bar memorabilia, a vintage T-shirt, or his prize tomato seeds complete with a side of his highly classified special sauce to get them growing. While he loved his kitties, a good tomato crop, and donating generously to every children’s charity he could find absolutely no one on this planet ranked higher in his books than the lad he treated like a grandson, Ricky. Ricky was Denny’s favorite human hands-down, no contest.

Denny was preceded in death by his beloved mom Marcy, his father Arthur, his brother Clint and his lifelong best friend Arlo. He leaves behind a sister Dawn, a brother Gary, two nephews Jameson and Kaelen, and Ricky. He also leaves behind Colleen and Katie and all his bartenders from over the years who deserve a medal for keeping Denny K’s running and keeping Denny in line and up with the times.

THE FINAL LAST CALL Per Denny’s probable wishes there will be no boring stuffy funeral or people wearing black and crying into tissue boxes. Instead, a proper celebration of life will be held Saturday, October 3, 2026 starting at 2 PM at Viola‘s Beer Here, 617 East Milwaukee St., Whitewater, WI. Come ready to raise a glass, swap stories Denny would surely deny and toast to a man who truly did it his way. Sarcasm is mandatory, tears are optional.

Brenda Lee (nee Wieners) Maruri, 54, of Whitewater, passed away Friday, July 3, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Janesville.

Born in Burlington, Wisconsin on October 27, 1971, she was the daughter of Ronald and Arlene (nee Huss) Wieners. Her early life was spent on the family farm, graduating from BHS in 1989. She went on to marry Nahum Maruri and made Whitewater their home where they raised their two children, Jose and Melissa.  

After marriage, Brenda worked as a caregiver at Aspire Care LLC and was recently nearing completion of the schooling to be an  A.O.D.A. counselor. She was an avid trumpet player all through school and was a self-taught piano player. Her favorite childhood pastime on the farm was playing with all the kittens and bouncing on her hippity hop. Brenda learned some great baking skills with the Lyons 4-H and really enjoyed showing all her projects at the Walworth County Fair.  She loved to make fried chicken dinner just like her mom taught her as well as making popcorn in “Mom’s popcorn pan.”  Her favorite adult pastimes included camping, gardening, spending time outdoors, dancing in the rain and family time.  Her children were the most important part of her life. Brenda will be remembered for her generosity and always willing to help whoever she could.  

Brenda leaves behind her two children,  Jose and Melissa, both of Whitewater; her father, Ronald (Susan) Wieners of Burlington; sisters Correna Anderson (Brian Miller) and Tina (Gene) Zabler, both of Burlington, Susan (Jesse) Barton, Indianapolis, IN; brother Robert (Tammy) Lischefski, Elkhorn; many nieces and nephews; her bonus daughter Sara and of course her fur-baby Sophie.  

In addition to her grandparents, Brenda was preceded in death by her mother Arlene; granddaughter Eva; brother Todd; brother AJ; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.  

A heartfelt thank you from the family goes out to all of Brenda’s nurses, CNA’s and caregivers in the ICU at Mercy Hospital of Janesville for their care and compassion.  

A Service for Brenda will be held Friday, July 17, 2026, at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 Newcomb Street, Whitewater, WI 53190. Relatives and friends may visit with the family from 10:00 AM until the service at 11:00 AM at the funeral home. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the family to help cover expenses.  

Ann Stehno
February 7, 1938 – June 13, 2026

Ann Stehno passed away on Saturday, June 13th, 2026, at the Pikes Peak Hospice in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with family by her side.

Ann Whitehead was born on February 7th, 1938, in Big Springs, Texas. During her early life the family moved almost every month as her father led geological exploration for Conoco Oil. They finally settled in Ponca City, Oklahoma in 1946, where she stayed through high school. In 1960 she received a Bachelor of Science degree from Oklahoma State University, leading to a position with Sinclair Oil in Tulsa.

Ann married Dale Stehno on September 23rd, 1961, in Ponca City, Oklahoma. In 1964 they moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin, where they both worked at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.

Their two children Cheryl and Brad were born at this time.

In 1971 Ann took a teaching position at Madison Area Technical College, teaching business classes for the next 27 years. She said she particularly got satisfaction from educating women to develop skills they needed to support themselves independently. In 2008 Ann and Dale moved to Colorado to spend the rest of their retirement close to family and friends.

Ann had a positive perspective on life, driven from two life threatening medical events in her youth. Having survived polio and a major car accident, she knew what was important in life to her. She was happy to be alive, satisfied with her life, loved giving to others and sharing in the happiness and joy.

She particularly loved Christmas and all its traditions. She looked forward every year to decorating her Christmas trees and re-telling the stories of where she acquired all her ornaments. She knitted custom Christmas stockings for the family. She delighted in wrapping presents as soon as they were purchased, using excessive amounts of tape and labeling the packages in shorthand that only she could read.

Ann loved to host friends for social gatherings and to play bridge. She travelled around the world with Dale and friends, especially enjoying Santa Fe, the Southwest and Disney World. She had a keen interest in genealogy, having spent considerable time visiting city halls and graveyards in Oklahoma, Texas and Colorado and further afield to document an extensive family history. She was an accomplished knitter and would donate shawls and warm clothing to premature babies. She also enjoyed her weekly bible studies and attending church services before her health started to fail.

After 64 years of marriage, Ann was preceded in death by Dale earlier this year. She is survived by Children Cheryl and Brad, Grandchildren Dylan, Payton, Ailsa and Heather and Great-grandchildren Eric and Thomas.

After cremation Ann will have a celebration of life service for family and be interred next to Dale at the Union Cemetery in Billings, Oklahoma.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Pikes Peak Hospice in Colorado Springs at https://pikespeakhospice.org/give

Eleanor “Ellie” Wilson (nee Beers), 78, of Whitewater passed away peacefully in her home with her family around her on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

She was born on July 22, 1947, to the late Jonathan and Edna (nee DuMond) Beers in Cortland, NY. Throughout her childhood as a country minister’s daughter, she lived in many small towns across upstate NY and western PA. She graduated from high school at Southside High School in Wellsburg, NY.

In 1969, Ellie graduated from Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA where she enjoyed singing in the choir. She also married Joseph Amico that year, beginning her unofficial career as a minister’s wife, a role she took seriously for the 17 years she held it. In fact, Ellie became very active in the annual conferences of the United Methodist church and on the Commission on the Status and Role of Women in the UMC, where she helped to guide the church on feminist issues throughout the 70’s. In 1973, she gave birth to her son Jesse. In 1974 she finished her master’s degree in old testament studies from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. She lived briefly in Milwaukee, WI and then spent ten years in Edgerton, WI – a community she loved and felt connected to for the rest of her life. In 1975, she gave birth to her daughter Rosemary. In 1984, she finished her second master’s degree – this time in Hebrew and Semitic studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1985, she moved to Oshkosh, WI and continued her studies at UW-Madison. Ellie completed her PhD in Hebrew and Semitic studies with a minor in women’s studies in 1989. Ellie worked in academia for some time, mostly at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh where she taught a mixture of women’s studies and religious studies courses, and also directed the women studies program between 1986-1994. Ellie dabbled in many interesting career paths throughout her life, including social work and as a family ministry coordinator at Algoma Boulevard United Methodist Church in Oshkosh. She primarily lived in Madison, WI between 1994-2005. When her academic career came to an end, she turned her focus to writing, copy editing, and proofreading. She often did freelance work, and also spent several years working at Impressions Book and Journal Services in Madison, WI. On June 17th, 2006, she married William “Bill” Wilson and moved to Whitewater, WI. She retired several years later.

Ellie loved her family and friends. She especially enjoyed spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren, step-children and step-grandchildren, as well as the series of cats that she lived with throughout her life. She also had many beloved friends and friend groups that grew from the various paths and interests she explored.

Ellie was a lover of language. She could read in 3 modern and 5 ancient languages and was proficient with the English language. She enjoyed public speaking, reading, writing, puns and word play. She self-published several books with the assistance of her husband Bill, including a version of her PhD dissertation edited to be read by a non-academic audience. At various points of her life she led workshops and seminars on religious or gender studies, gave sermons in several of the churches she attended, and was a lifelong and dedicated journal keeper.

Ellie had a diverse set of other interests including crafting cards and jewelry, camping and spending time in nature, traveling with husband Bill, studying and archiving her family’s history (both past and present), gardening, bird watching, reading fiction and non-fiction alike, making paper dolls and collecting dolls and dollhouses, playing piano, and working on puzzles.

Ellie had an eclectic religious and spiritual outlook. As the daughter, and then wife, of United Methodist ministers, she always felt the ties and connection to the UMC. She was also a member of the Whitewater Congregational UCC church for some time, as well as The First UU Church during her time in Madison. She has maintained her membership with the Unitarian Universalist Association through the Church of the Larger Fellowship. She was most active, of late, in the church community at First United Methodist Church in Whitewater. Ellie also appreciated some earth-based spiritual practices and groups.

Ellie was politically engaged. She supported several local Democratic candidates, protested many times throughout her life, voted always, and spent much of her time actively working on issues – particularly around feminism, labor rights, and anti-war.

In addition to her church communities, Ellie was also an active member of a local book club at the Whitewater Public Library, a regular at the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center, and was a camp follower with the Janesville Fife and Drum Corps.

Truly, there are not enough words to chronicle the storied life of Ellie Wilson. Even a wordsmith such as herself would struggle to make this concise. Ellie had a generous spirit, an enormous sense of humor, a childlike love of playfulness, and always had a compliment for anyone she interacted with. She will be missed by many, but especially by her family.

Those Eleanor leaves behind include her husband Bill, her children Jesse and Rosemary Amico and stepchildren Clare and Bill Wilson, her grandchildren Ash and Lily Amico and Edmund and George Wilson, her brother Donald Beers and his family, and of course her cat Oscar.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her beloved grandparents Walter and Jessie DuMond, and cherished cats Bibby, Babby, Cleo, Softie, and Bridget.

VISITATION: The family will greet relatives and friends on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:45 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 145 S. Prairie St., Whitewater.

SERVICE: A Celebration of Life in remembrance of Ellie will be at the church on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.

The Nitardy funeral home has been entrusted with Ellie’s arrangements.

Jean Ann (Woodworth, Wetter, Dalby) Wintermute, 90, passed away on June 20, 2026, at Our House Senior Living in Whitewater, WI. 
 
She was born on August 16, 1935, in Pascoag, RI and spent her happy childhood there and in Maine playing in the woods.  

Jean married and moved to Batavia, IL in 1954 and raised her 7 children there. She enjoyed her morning coffee at Colonial after finishing her school bus route, playing bingo at the VFW, being a ladies auxiliary Moose member, and spending time with her family and friends.  

After she retired from Delnor Hospital, she moved to Prineville, OR with her daughter Joyce, and met (and later married) her beloved Albert Wintermute. They were active in St. Andrews Church, the Senior Center and Eagles Club and traveled to visit family and friends until he became ill. 

A few years after his passing she moved to Fort Atkinson WI with her son Bill. She attended Faith Community Church, loved to read and do puzzles, and watch the deer outside her window.  

Jean is survived by her children, Norma (Jody) Ellis, Jim (Linda) Wetter, Bill (Doris) Wetter, Vicki Gardner (Clint) Krusie, Joyce Lee (John Reish), Debbie Seep (Rodney Pagel) and Chris (Lori) Dalby; 14 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren; brother, George Woodworth; and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Forrest and Roseann Woodworth; brother, Woody Woodworth; sister Mae Bernier; grandson, John Alsip Jr.; and twins Michael and Michelle. 

A Celebration of her life will be held at a later date. 

The Nitardy Funeral Home – Fort Atkinson has been entrusted with Jean’s arrangements.

Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dale Lee Maas

Dale Lee Maas, age 85, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, passed away unexpectedly on June 22, 2026. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, deep devotion to his family, and a zest for life that touched everyone who knew him.

Born on August 15, 1940, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, Dale was the son of the late Bernard and Eldine Maas. In 1969, he opened Dale’s Bootery, a business he poured his heart into for 40 years. Serving his community was more than a job – it was his passion, and he continued to greet customers with a smile until his retirement in 2005.

Dale didn’t let age slow him down. He loved adventure: the thrill of flying his hang glider, cruising on his e-bike, or playing tennis. He had a deep appreciation for music and the arts, often attending concerts, and he was a talented photographer with a special gift for capturing the beauty of birds.

He was a people person through and through – the kind of man that could strike up a conversation with anyone and make them feel like an old friend. But more than anything, Dale loved his family. Planning the next gathering, making memories, and keeping everyone close brought him the greatest joy.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years, Patricia; his parents, Bernard and Eldine; and his brother Dennis. He is survived by his children, Jeff Maas (Sharon) and Renee Oberlin (Rick); his grandchildren, Sarah Larson (Matt), Jacob Maas, Spencer Chapman, Mackenzie Cerney, Ben Cerney; and his great-granddaughter, Stella, daughter of Sarah and Matt.

A service to honor and celebrate Dale’s life will be held at a later date. Details will be announced by the family once they are finalized.

Dale’s adventurous spirit, warm smile, and love for life will be deeply missed – but the stories, laughter, and love he shared will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

Nitardy Funeral Home of Whitewater is assisting the family during this time.

Robert “Bob” Harris passed away at home due to illness on June 23, a place full of memories and of a life well lived.

Bob is survived by his wife and best friend of 26 years, Lisa, the love of his life and the person with whom he shared his greatest adventures and happiest moments. Their marriage was built on a deep friendship, unwavering loyalty, and a love that only grew stronger with time. Together, they built a life centered on love, laughter, family, and friendship. They genuinely enjoyed being together and spent nearly all of their free time by each other’s sides, whether boating, spending time with their many friends, enjoying family gatherings, or simply relaxing on their deck—a place where everyone knew they could stop by and be welcomed with open arms. Bob truly lived life to the fullest and was deeply grateful for every adventure, including a recent trip to Florida that brought him tremendous joy. He was proudly patriotic and held a deep love for his country.

Bob was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather whose greatest pride was his family. He is survived by his three daughters, Jen (Roy) Keller, Melissa (Brad) Smith, and Amanda (Don) Weeden, whom he adored beyond measure. Though theirs was a blended family, Bob never saw distinctions of blood or marriage—he loved each of his daughters as his own and formed a unique and lasting bond with each of them. He chose them every day, loved them without condition, and built relationships rooted in trust, laughter, guidance, and unwavering support. They never doubted how much they meant to him, and he never stopped being proud to call them his daughters. He often spoke of how proud he was of his girls and held an extra special appreciation and affection for each of his sons-in-law.

As a father, Bob was creative, loving, and always one step ahead. Raising three daughters kept him on his toes, but not much ever got past him. He had a knack for investigating, uncovering the truth, and finding inventive ways to guide and protect those he loved. Interestingly, stories shared by his sisters reveal that Bob had been the one keeping people on their toes long before he became a dad.

Bob also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren, Jewel Speer, Jayden Bies, Hailey Bowden, Natalie Smith, Alex and Christopher Weeden, Kaysten and Kinley Smith, Mary-Beth Foglesong, and Donovan Keller, as well as his great- grandchildren, Maverick, Lettee, Lane and Cove. Being “Grandpa” brought him endless happiness, and he treasured every opportunity to spend time with them.

He is survived by his sisters, Geri Harris, Robin (Kent) Seamars, and Denise (Rick) Johnson, brother-in-law, Art Anderson and many extended family members and friends who loved him dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents Don and Elores, sister, Leslie Anderson, and brother-in-law, Ralph Goessling. Bob’s sisters held a special place in his heart. From childhood adventures and mischief to the joys and memories made throughout adulthood, they shared a bond that only siblings can understand. The love between them remained strong throughout the years, and the stories they shared are a testament to their closeness. His sisters loved him dearly, and Bob loved them right back, carrying with him a lifetime of treasured memories that will continue to live on through them.

Bob is also survived by several beloved nieces and nephews, each of whom held a special place in his heart. His love for family extended far beyond his immediate household, and he never missed an opportunity to brag about those he loved.

Bob was a remarkably talented and hardworking man whose skills seemed limitless. An artist, woodworker, mechanic, builder, and problem-solver, he could fix almost anything that crossed his path. He possessed a creative eye and the hands-on knowledge needed for home remodeling, painting cars and motorcycles, and countless other projects. If something was broken, Bob would find a way to make it work again.

Throughout his career, Bob worked across many industries, but his true passion was trucking. Whether behind the wheel of a semi traveling across the country or operating a dump truck, he loved the work and took great pride in it. He spent his final working years with Robin’s Trucking, where he had the unique distinction of driving the very first truck that helped launch the company and ultimately ending his career driving a truck that held special meaning to him.

Those who knew Bob will remember his legendary work ethic, his generosity, and his willingness to help anyone in need. They will also remember that he could be a little ornery from time to time—a trait he wore almost as proudly as his grin. But behind that stubborn streak was a man with a huge heart who loved deeply and fiercely. If you needed help, advice, a repair, or simply someone to stand by your side, Bob would be there.

Bob leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, craftsmanship, hard work, and countless memories. His family and friends will forever cherish the stories, lessons, adventures, and unwavering love he shared throughout his life.

He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Nitardy Funeral Home of Whitewater is proudly serving Bob’s family. Visitation to be held this Sunday, June 28th, at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 Newcomb Street, Whitewater, WI 53190, from 10:00 AM to 12:45 PM. Funeral Service to begin at 1:00 PM