Obituaries

Obituary: Joseph Ray Brown, 58, of Milton

Joseph Ray Brown, 58, of Milton, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Friday, August 5, 2022, after a 5-year battle with ALS.

Joe was born August 1, 1964, in Janesville, Wisconsin to Ronald and Janet Brown.  He grew up on the Milton family farm and attended Milton schools.  He graduated from Milton High School in 1982 and attended UW-Madison majoring in agricultural business.  After college he worked as an agronomist and sales representative for multiple seed companies, including Pioneer Hybrid for the last 20 years.

Joe had a wide range of interests including music, reading, 3D printing, home brewing, NASA/space, model rocketry, science fiction, cannons, computer science and travel.  Joe and Lisa (and often their children) travelled to more than 10 countries, including a trip to Cuba with the band Blondie.  Joe was a large supporter of youth through Milton 4H and Milton FFA Alumni. 

Joe’s kind heart was exceeded only by his sense of humor.  His customers were truly his friends, many of whom were people he knew his entire life.  Joe wanted everyone to be happy and kind to others.  Small everyday acts of kindness can improve the world.

Joe courageously battled ALS for 5 years, never giving up.  He was continuously inventing and utilizing his 3D printer to improve his ALS journey.  He had a wonderful team of caregivers who made every day a joy for both him and Lisa.

Joe is survived by his wife Lisa; daughters Teegan (Jim) Scofield and Mina Heinen-Brown; grandchildren Maddison and Reid Scofield; his parents Ron Brown and Janet Kettle; his brother Rodney Brown and sister Danelle Kenney; and many relatives too numerous to mention (Joe had a very large family).  Joe’s caregivers included Susan and Christine, his niece Naomi, sister-in-law Linda, uncle Jim, as well as his fabulous breathing technicians Kathy and Bob.

Joe has left us much too soon and he will be missed every single day.  Joe and Lisa fell asleep every night holding hands.  Joe had a huge personality that affected everyone he met, enriching everyone’s lives.  Joe made being happy look easy.  Please take a moment tonight, go outside, look up at the stars and think of Joe.

Funeral services for Joe will be 11:00 a.m. on August 15, 2022, at the Albrecht Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Milton.

Visitation times for Joe will be Sunday, August 14, 2022 from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the Albrecht Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Milton, and again on Monday, August 15, 2022 at 1000 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home.

Interment to follow at Milton Cemetery 131 N Janesville Street, Milton.  A luncheon repast will follow at Lisa and Joe’s farm, 2626 E County Rd M.  

The funeral will also be livestreamed online for those who are unable to attend, please contact the funeral home day of for information regarding the livestream.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to the Wisconsin chapter of the ALS Association at als.org/donate

Obituary: Carolyn Stroupe, 96

Carolyn Stroupe, 96, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning, July 27, 2022, at Agrace Hospice in Madison, Wisconsin. 

Carolyn was born January 9, 1926, in Buck Creek, Indiana, the daughter of Frank and Eva Pearson. She graduated from high school in Monticello, Indiana, and in her younger years spent many a summer day and evening at Indiana Beach dancing to big name bands of the era. Carolyn had a lovely singing voice and often sang in high school programs and for church on Sunday. 

Carolyn always identified herself as a farm girl and loved the rural life, living in the country, growing flowers and vegetables, adopting stray critters that wandered onto the farm, and doing the work that needed to be done. She loved to be busy and worked hard on the farm. She found satisfaction in fixing things and decorating her home with an artistic touch that she came by naturally. Even though, for a time, she lived in a condo in Florida she found herself coming back home in her later years to the rural area she loved in Whitewater. She lived a long full life and enjoyed traveling but was just as content to curl up in the evening at home with her devoted cat, Pfeffy. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and her only brother, J Frank Pearson. Pfeffy has also returned to her ‘rainbow’ home and was hopefully there to greet Carolyn as she made her journey to her heavenly home. 

Surviving are her former husband and lifelong friend, David Stroupe, of Whitewater, Wi.; her children by a previous marriage, Larry Joe (Kay) Wall of Watertown, Wi.; Linda Wall Walcher of Freeburg, Illinois; Jack (Jeanne) Wall of Strawberry, Arizona; seven grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren. 

The family would like to thank the staff at Mulberry Glen Senior Living and Agrace Hospice for their kind and compassionate care. 

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at 12:00 P.M. at the First United Methodist Church, 145 S. Prairie Street, Whitewater. Visitation will take place from 11:00 A.M. until the time of the service. Inurnment will be private. 

Obituary: Joyce Pauline Piper Duffin, 93

Joyce Pauline Piper Duffin, 93, of Whitewater passed away peacefully Friday, August 5, 2022 surrounded by loved ones. Joyce was born on October 12, 1928 in Cold Spring, WI, the daughter of Lisle and Leona (Akin) Piper. She attended Whitewater City High School and was Salutatorian of her class. Upon graduation in 1945, she attended the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater where she achieved a Bachelor’s degree in Education. She taught Business Education at Mukwonago High School for 5 years. In 1953 Joyce married her high school sweetheart, John Lee Duffin. They owned and operated a family dairy farm on Salisbury Road until John’s death in 2008. Joyce was an exceptional wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Family always came first. She enjoyed the simple things in life and found complete fulfillment in knowing her children were following their dreams. Her unconditional love, strong inner strength, integrity, quick wit and joyous personality made for the best mother and friend. She was an avid reader, enjoyed history, travel and she loved to laugh. Joyce will be immeasurably missed by her children, Nanci (Eddie) Nugen of Oklahoma City, OK, Brian (Julie) Duffin of Brooklyn, WI, Kevin (Tiffany) Duffin of Carmel, IN, Kelly (Ken) Thompson of Lakeway, TX, and Jeff (Andy Groves) Duffin of Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren, Tim (Missy) Nugen, Stephen (Rebecca) Nugen, Rebekah (Josh) Rivers, Elizabeth (Ben) Engebretson, Evan (Ashley) Larsen, Bret (Holly Powell) Duffin, Tara (Greg) Goldberg, Abigail Duffin, Keegan Duffin, Ian Duffin, William Maxwell, Meaghan Maxwell, Faith Thompson, Hope Thompson;14 great-grandchildren; sister-in-laws, Clarice Piper, Dorothy (Jack) Saylor, Carol Duffin, Bonnie Duffin; and many nephews, nieces and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 55 years and brothers (Lisle Jr, Myron and Don Piper). Visitation will be held 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, August 12th and also one hour prior to the funeral services, which are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 13th at Nitardy Funeral Home in Whitewater WI. As an expression of sympathy and in lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider contributing to the Joyce and John Duffin Memorial Scholarship Fund, recognizing an outstanding Whitewater High School graduate pursuing University studies.

Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Obituary: Virginia “Ginny” Hellenga, 79

Virginia “Ginny” Hellenga died on August 3, 2022 in Knoxville, Illinois at age 79.

Virginia was born in LaPorte, Indiana on April 22, 1943 to John Ted and Hazel Minnie (Clifford) Killion. She grew up in Battle Creek, Michigan, and after graduating from Battle Creek High School studied at the University of Michigan, where she met her husband, Robert. After a year studying in Ireland, Virginia finished her undergraduate degree at the University of North Carolina. She juggled motherhood and career to complete her Master’s Degree in Classics at Loyola University, commuting to Chicago every week while living in Galesburg with her husband and three daughters. She later received her teaching certificate from Knox College.

A poet and a scholar, Virginia was happiest when she was in the classroom. She was an influential Latin teacher who brought new life to classics departments throughout Illinois. She inspired her students to become their best selves during her teaching career at Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, Trinity High School in River Forest, Monmouth High School, Monmouth College and Galesburg District 205.

In recognition of Virginia’s contributions, Monmouth College renamed their Latin award the “Virginia K. Hellenga award for Excellence in Latin.” After retiring from Monmouth College, Virginia became a beloved substitute teacher in Galesburg. She cared deeply about her students and brought positivity to them in challenging times. One student summed this up by saying, “She always put a smile on my face when I walked into class and saw her.”

Virginia often posted poems and quotes in her classroom, including a Goethe quote that epitomized how she celebrated everyone in her sphere:

 “If we treat people as if they were what they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.”

She had a letter posted on the wall from a former student who wrote about how Mom had changed her life, sharing this quote from Marianne Williamson:

“It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?”

Mom believed everyone was radiantly beautiful and full of endless potential. She was a free spirit, and a source of support and encouragement to everyone around her, whether she was noticing their good qualities, celebrating their achievements, or thanking them for their good deeds. She did not accept limits based on gender. In our house, Dad was the cook, and Mom was the one you went to when you needed to rewire a lamp. She considered duct tape, WD-40 and a good pair of scissors to be as essential as food and water.

As her daughters, we want to talk openly about Mom’s bipolar disorder. Mom gave us the book: An Unquiet Mind about living with bipolar disorder. The epilogue sums up what Mom wanted us to understand:

“I honestly believe that as a result of it I have felt more things, more deeply; had more experiences, more intensely; loved more, and been more loved; laughed more often for having cried more often; appreciated it—and life—more; seen the finest and the most terrible in people. But, normal or manic, I have run faster, thought faster, and loved faster than most I know. And I think much of this is related to my illness—the intensity it gives to things.”

Everything around Mom was more vibrant, more spectacular, more intense, contrasted with darker, painful moments, too: bipolar episodes which caused great suffering. Through the light and the darkness, however, she gave us her unconditional love, allowed us freedom to grow, and always expressed her faith and confidence in us.

So, let us celebrate 79 years of an influential woman who made positive changes in many students’, friends’, and families’ lives. Her greatest legacy can be found in the people she encouraged to recognize their own beauty, power, and self-worth. The words of poet Mary Oliver capture Mom’s life message:

“Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

When she wasn’t teaching, Virginia enjoyed biking on country roads, studying classics, exploring New Age philosophy, translating favorite short stories from Italian to English, and spending time with her grandchildren.

She married Robert Hellenga on August 31, 1963 in Battle Creek Michigan. He preceded her in death after 57 years of marriage on July 18, 2020.

Virginia is survived by her three daughters, Rachel Hellenga (Ben Good) of Elmhurst, IL; Heather Hellenga (Tom Colclasure), of Galesburg, IL; and Caitrine Hellenga (Tim Barker) of Orlando, FL, her grandchildren Harper Lee (Joshua) Lorentzson, Jackson Colclasure, both of Galesburg, and Braxton Farr of Elmhurst, IL. Virginia is also survived by her brothers Mead Killion (Gail Gudmundsen) of Elk Grove Village, IL and Whitewater, WI and David (Joan) Killion of Ludington, MI, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Her bright spirit is now free.

We would like to thank the caregivers who meant so much to Mom, especially Rebecca and Stephanie, who gave her daily support and friendship and the extraordinary staff in Betty’s Garden at Courtyard Estates, who created a home away from home. In her last years, our mom benefitted greatly from the services of Western Illinois Home Health, Courtyard Estates of Knoxville, and Hospice Compassus.

Virginia has donated her body to science, and services will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Classics Day at Monmouth College. These gifts in her memory can be mailed to the Monmouth College Development Office, 700 E. Broadway, Monmouth, IL 61642.

Obituary: Manfred Jurgen Engel, 72

Manfred Jurgen Engel, 72, passed away on July 15, 2022 at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg, WI.

Manfred was born in Germany to Gustive and Paula (Kerpa) Engel on January 20, 1950.  His parents, he and his sister Hannelore, immigrated to the United States in 1952.  Manfred graduated from Whitewater High School in 1969 then went to the UW Whitewater for 3 ½ years.  He worked for VIP Services Inc. in Elkhorn, WI, retiring in 2017.  He enjoyed reading the bible, listening to music, and watching sports. Especially the Packers and the Badgers.  

He is survived by his sister Hannelore (Lorie) Engel, Madison, WI.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Hillside Cemetery, Whitewater.

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Obituary: Steven (Steve) Alvarado “Alvy,” 64, of Fort Atkinson

Steven (Steve) Alvarado “Alvy,” age 64, of Fort Atkinson, WI passed away
unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. Steven was born in Laredo, Texas
on May 23, 1958, son of Juan and Juliana (Estevis) Alvarado Sr. He and his
family moved to Palmyra, Wisconsin in 1960 and resided in the area the
remainder of his life.

After many years of working at Spacesaver, Steve changed careers working
construction on many projects in the area. He was currently employed at
Cretes Here out of Fort Atkinson, WI. Through his employments he gained
many friends over the years who became family.

Steve enjoyed being outdoors golfing and fishing. He was very active and for
many years you could find him playing softball down at the ballpark. He was a
Wisconsin sports fan who also loved the Dallas Cowboys. He cherished time
with family and friends at family gatherings and often was found capturing the
moments through video recording and taking pictures. Steve lived in the
moment.

Survivors of Steve are his children Jason Alvarado, Joshua Alvarado, and
Cassandra Alvarado; Siblings, Juan (Vicki) Alvarado, Jr., Whitewater, WI, Jose
(Patti) Alvarado, Mount Horeb, WI, Gilbert (Lynnette) Alvarado, Fort Atkinson,
WI, Albert Alvarado, Richville, IN, Thomas Alvarado, Fort Atkinson, WI, Gary
Alvarado, Fort Atkinson, WI, Donald Alvarado, Fort Atkinson, WI, Zulema
Montemayor, Webberville, MI, Margaretta (Andrés) Sanchez, Janesville, WI,
Carolina (Reynaldo) Mayans, Fort Atkinson, WI; Sister-In-Law, Joanie Alvarado,
Fort Atkinson, WI. Steve is further survived by his step-children, grandchildren,
many nieces and nephews, and several close friends who became family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Christopher Alvarado; brothers,
Hector Alvarado and Raul Alvarado; brother-in- law, Raymundo Montemayor;
nephews, Roberto Montemayor and Guadalupe Alvarado; niece, Holly
Alvarado.

Steve will always be remembered as the genuine kind hearted person that he
was. He would give the shirt off of his back to anyone without expecting
anything in return.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 5, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.
at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1660 Endl Blvd, Fort Atkinson. Visitation will take
place from 3:00 p.m. until the time of the mass. Nitardy Funeral Home is
assisting the family. Online Condolences may be made at
www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Obituary: Thomas Michael Wollet, 66, of Jefferson

On Sunday, July 24, 2022 Thomas Michael Wollet, of Jefferson, loving father and grandfather passed away, at the age of 66, from a rare neurodegenerative disorder, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. In his death, as in his life, he truly was ‘one in a million.’

Tom was born May 1, 1956, in Jefferson, WI to Earl and Carol (Werner) Wollet.  Tom was the 4th child born to Earl and Carol. He had two older brothers Randy and Gary, an older sister, Theresa, younger brother Mike and a younger sister, Susan. Tom had a special connection to his little sister, Sue, who passed when she was 17 and we find comfort knowing that they are reunited.

Tom was a graduate of Jefferson High School class of 1974. Jefferson is where Tom chose to stay and raise his family. Tom was a loving ‘hands on’ father to his two children, Mike and Taryn. When his kids were young, Tom loved to be involved in their sports, often driving Mike across the country to wrestle or waking up early on a Saturday to take Taryn to karate. Tom wasn’t a dad who watched from the sidelines. His greatest joy was his kids and as their family grew, that joy was spread to his grandchildren.

Tom worked at Spacesaver for over 14 years and his co-workers truly became a second family to him. One of the last ‘good’ days Tom had was spent laughing with his friends from work. Tom loved to ride his motorcycle; his last trip was just a couple of months ago out on the open road, with friends at his side. He was an avid rider, but it was never about the ride; it was about the friendships that he cherished. Tom was a friend to many and in the last weeks of his life, the family got to see firsthand the impact Tom had on those around him.

Tom is preceded in death by his sister Susan. He is survived by his parents Earl and Carol, his children Mike Wollet and Taryn (Mike) Krahn, his grandchildren Alexia, Jaden, Isaiah, Falyn and Cambrya. His siblings Randy, Gary, Theresa and Mike. He is further survived by his loving partner Deb and their pup Raven.

An evening visitation will be held August 1, 2022 from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Schneider Michaelis Funeral Home, 900 West Racine Street, Jefferson, WI 53549. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.  A visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made in Tom’s name to Rainbow Hospice in Jefferson or St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

Online condolences can be made at www.schneidermichaelis.com

Obituary: Marjorie Ann Triebold (Schonath), 85

Marjorie Ann Triebold (Schonath) went to her eternal home on July 22, 2022. Marge was born on
January 6, 1937, to John and Martha (Hoppe) Schonath in Whitewater, Wisconsin. She graduated from Whitewater City High School in 1954 and then went on to graduate from UW-Whitewater in 1958 with a degree in kindergarten/ primary education. While at UW, Marge earned the honor of being listed in Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges. She was also affiliated with Theta Sigma Upsilon Sorority and Kappa Delta Pi honorary fraternity.

Marge married Don Triebold on August 9, 1958. They then moved to Manitowoc, Wisconsin where Don taught business education classes at Manitowoc High, and Marge taught morning and afternoon
kindergarten classes with thirty plus students in each class.

Their marriage was blessed with three sons; Eric (Lynne), Mark (Carrie), and Kurt (Julia). Grandchildren
include Ryan (Theresa), Sarah (Morgan), Taylor (Jackie), Emily (Nathan), Madelaine, Hayden, and Payton.
Great-granddaughters are Oliani (Ani) and Charlotte.

Marge was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school and sang
in church choirs for over 65 years. She was a very active member of Junior Women, the Whitewater
Federation of Women’s Clubs, the PEO Sisterhood and Alpha Club in Whitewater where she held many
offices and took the opportunity to attend national conventions. She was also an enthusiastic supporter
of UW-Whitewater, volunteering on the Cultural Affairs Committee. Marge traveled most of
southeastern Wisconsin to promote Young Auditorium and the programs designed for school age
children.

For many years, Marge also performed secretarial responsibilities for Triebold Imp’t Inc. in Whitewater.
Marge’s hobbies included photography, scrapbooking, traveling in Europe, vacations in the United
States, coin collecting, antiques, and flowers. She especially enjoyed spending time at their getaway on
Gasparilla Island, Florida.

Marge loved people, and will be remembered for her warm engaging smile, blue eyes, and not having a
hair out of place. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will be
missed and remembered by all who knew her.

Visitation will be July 29, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church, 145 S. Prairie Street, Whitewater, at
9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Stacy Gransee and Patty Terpley for their loving, tender
care of Marge throughout her illness. Also, thanks to Rainbow Hospice and their nursing staff for their
expertise in caring for the elderly.

Memorials may be given in Marge’s memory to the First United Methodist Church and to Rainbow
Hospice.

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family. Condolences may be made at
www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Obituary: Mary Carla (Carla) Heimerl, (nee Abbot), 90

On Tuesday, July 19, 2022, Mary Carla (Carla) Heimerl, (nee Abbot) formerly from Evansville, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home in Whitewater at the age of 90.

Carla was born on August 14, 1931 in Fremont, Ohio. She was lovingly raised by Gertrude Abel in Pittsburgh, PA and Kansas City, MO and by her legal guardian, Charles Guenther. Carla was valedictorian of her graduating class at Notre Dame de Sion High School in Kansas City, MO.

She met Robert Heimerl at Marquette University where they were both students. They were married on August 18, 1951 and made their home in Evansville, WI.  Together they raised two sons, Chris and Kim and three daughters, Diane, Carla, and Susan.

When Susie was in first grade, Carla returned to college at UW-Madison completing a degree in English. After teaching for a couple of years she returned to school and received a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology.  Carla worked for twenty years at the UW-Madison counseling older adults returning to school, just as she had.  She retired as Director of the Office of Continuing Education.

Carla loved books and cherished gifting them and reading to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a gracious hostess who thoroughly enjoyed entertaining. Her true joy was her family. As an only child she longed for a big family. Her wish was realized in her large, loud, and loving family. She was very proud of them, especially that they all valued a college education as much as she did.

Carla was preceded in death by her beloved “parents” Gertrude Abel and Charles Guenther, husband of 66 years Bob, his parents, an infant daughter, Anne Marie, a grandson, Nicholas Heimerl, a brother in-law and a niece.

Carla is survived by her son Chris (Sandy) Heimerl and their two children, Anna (Roylee) Luna and Charles (Amy) Heimerl; her daughter Diane (Stan) Zweifel and their children, Saree (Steve) Solberg, Shannon Zweifel, Michael (Jenn) Zweifel and Mark (Ashley) Zweifel; her son Kim (Becky) Heimerl and their daughters, Thea (Ryan) Kurtz, Kate (Josh) Soholt, Erin (Jason) Breaker and Leah (Brad) Dushaw; daughter Carla (Bill) Skerbeck and their children, Bobby (Jamee) Skerbeck, Dustin (Cindy) Skerbeck and Carly (Jeff) Vertz; and daughter Susie (Tom) Kopp and their children, Kristopher (Jessie) Kopp, Adam (Jen) Kopp and Casey (Ashley) Kopp;  and almost 28 great-grandchildren, with one on the way. Carla is also survived by a sister-in-law, Carol Klein and three nieces.

A celebration of Carla’s life will be held on October 29th at 4:00 at Creekside Place, 102 Maple St., Evansville, WI. Carla would be grateful for gifts to Evansville Aware, The Evansville Fund,  Agrace or a charity of your choice. www.wardhurtley.com