Obituaries

WHITEWATER – Nan Rowley died on April 15, 2026, at the age of 90. She was born on September 4, 1935, in a little house on the prairie in the Town of Johnstown, Wisconsin, the daughter of Wayne L. Wilbur and Florence (McQuillen) Wilbur. Nan attended primary schools in the towns of Johnstown and Richmond and in the City of Whitewater. Nan graduated with honors from Whitewater City High School.

On June 19, 1954, Nancy and Ken Rowley were united in marriage in Whitewater and went to live on the Rowley family farm in Richmond. Over the years, Nan served her family as wife, mother, and wage earner. She was a very capable, take-charge person and served her church and community as well. Nan was a Sunday School teacher at the Methodist Church, as well as a Trustee and Lay Speaker. She worked for her community as a Red Cross Volunteer, Civil Defense Survey Taker, Town Clerk, and Town Treasurer. Nan was a voracious reader and credited the Irish in her ancestry for her wry sense of humor.

The light of Nan’s path through life was faith and her staff was laughter. Now she has followed the path home to God her Father.

Nancy is survived by her two sons, Kenneth (Debbie Parenteau) Rowley of W. Suffield, CT and Curtis (Sally Aldrich) Rowley of Whitewater, five grandchildren, Christopher Parenteau, Joseph (Whitney Beussink) Rowley, Lynn Parenteau, Sean Parenteau and Nathan (Loren Stevens) Rowley and 8 great-grandchildren.  

She was predeceased by her husband, Kenneth H. Rowley, her parents, two sons, Russell and Richard, three sisters, Florence (Morris) Hansen, Helen (Vernon) McQuillen, Doris (Robert) Kroening, and sister-in-law Laurene (Bill) Keech.

Services celebrating her life will be held at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St., Whitewater on Monday, April 27, 2026. Visitation will be from 10 am to 11 am, Service at 11 am with interment at the Richmond Cemetery assisted by the Nitardy Funeral Home.

Marion H. Gorniak (nee Pfeiffer), 74, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

She was born on October 24, 1951, to the late Harvey and Loraine (nee Drifke) Pfeiffer in Fort Atkinson, WI. On June 2, 1969, she was united in marriage to Alan Gorniak. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, and cooking, especially her rhubarb pies. She especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends and will be missed by all who knew her.

Those Marion leaves behind to cherish her memory include her husband, Alan Gorniak; stepson, Alan Bauer; sister, Sue Ann Schultz, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, Tom Pfeiffer.

A private service of remembrance will be held.

Nitardy Funeral Home has been entrusted with Marion’s arrangements. 

Ruth Irene (Phelps) Justis, 88, of Appleton City, Missouri, passed away Friday morning, April 10, 2026, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, MO, with her family by her side.

Ruth was born June 3, 1937 in Janesville, Wisconsin, to Charles and Ada Mae (Maly) Phelps. She joined the Marine Corps in 1956. During her time there, she met and married her husband, Forest Wayne “Wayne” Justis in 1957. They shared 62 years of marriage and to this union, 2 children, Charles and Dorene, were born.

Ruth grew up in Whitewater, WI., the oldest of three children. Ruth graduated from Whitewater High School in 1955. While in the Marines, Ruth played on a championship winning Marine basketball team. After Ruth was discharged, she loved and supported her husband during his career in the Marines. She obtained her ham radio license to help Wayne run phone patches from Vietnam to the US for soldiers that were away from their families.

After Wayne retired in 1976, they bought a small farm and spent the rest of their days together there. Ruth always had an amazing garden and prosperous fruit trees. She canned all summer long to provide for her family. Ruth loved animals of any kind. Most of the animals she cared for were so spoiled, they didn’t know they were animals. She nursed many baby and injured animals back to health. Ruth also loved to hunt deer, turkey, squirrel and rabbit.

She loved her grandchildren and always had baked goods ready to share with them. You could never have just one cookie – you had two hands, so you needed a cookie for each hand! No one could ever duplicate her gingerbread cookies, even using her recipe. She did make the grandkids mind and respect her, even if it meant threatening them with a wooden spoon. She also shared advice with them: “when you are driving and the traffic light turns yellow – it means hurry up It’s going to turn red!” She was full of love and laughter.

Ruth is survived by a son, Charles Justis, of Long Beach, Mississippi; a daughter, Dorene Boehler (Gary), of Montrose, Mo.; 5 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; and a brother, Terry Phelps (Sandy), state of Wisconsin. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne; parents, Charles and Ada Mae Phelps; a sister, Jean Jenkins; and a grandson, Dustin Boehler.

Ruth always had a smile and a hug for you. She was a blessing to all who knew her and will be greatly missed by all.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 17, 2026 at the Missouri Veterans Home-Warrensburg, 1300 Veterans Road, Warrensburg, MO. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., just prior to the funeral service. Mrs. Justis will lie in state Thursday from noon to 7:00 p.m. at the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, Clinton. Burial will be in Englewood Cemetery, Clinton. Military services will be at the gravesite under the direction of the Marine Honors Team and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1894, Clinton. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Missouri Veterans Home-Warrensburg.

Dorothy C. Kau, age 101, of Eagle, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Fort Memorial Hospital.

Dorothy was born on March 18, 1925 in Eagle on the family farm, the daughter of John and Katherine (Faestel) VonRueden. Dorothy was a 1942 graduate of Palmyra High School. On May 21, 1949, Dorothy was united in marriage to Alvin E. Kau at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Eagle and the Lord blessed their union with 8 children. Alvin and Dorothy enjoyed 50 years of marriage together until Alvin’s death in the year 2000. Dorothy enjoyed being a farm wife.  She was a true business partner to her husband and later their sons that joined them in the business.  She made sure to keep everyone fed three times a day on home cooked meals with ingredients she had preserved from her garden. She will be remembered as an avid and accomplished crocheter, cook and baker especially her donuts and decorated birthday cakes.   She also waded into modern technology on her iPad to watch the news, EWTN and Rosary.  She stayed on the family farm until she was 100.  She was able to stay and enjoy her home farm through the love and devotion of her children and several caregivers, Sarah, Betty, Birgit, Vicki, Sherry and her weekly massage with Wendy.  She moved to Fairhaven last April and enjoyed the many social activities and the dear friends she became reacquainted with and new friends and staff that were so incredibly friendly and kind. Hospitality and gatherings with extended family and friends were her enjoyment.  Above all else in Dorothy’s life, was her love for God, followed by her family and her friends. She was devoted to her faith. She lived a wonderful life and it’s the end of a family era.  She will be deeply missed but forever remembered by those she leaves behind.

Dorothy is survived by: her loving children, Susan (Randall Zirk) Kau of Madison, Kenneth (Leslie) Kau of Palmyra, Gerard (Jani) Kau of Palmyra, Patricia (William) Breitzman of Stillwater, MN, Jean Ann (Tim) Reith of Palmyra, and Daughter-In-Law Cheri Kau Miller of Florida; and her grandchildren, Mackenzie, Alyssa, Jennifer, Kendall, Jerrod, Henry, Matthew, Jessica, Peter, Meagan (Evan), Chelsea (Matt), Kaylea, Tyler (Micheala), Nicholas (Katherine), and Jonathan (Abigail). She is further survived by 15 great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her dear husband, Alvin E. Kau, 3 children, Kristine, Teresa, and James, her grandchild, Jamie, and two siblings, Elizabeth (the late George) Kau, and Joseph (the late Marie) VonRueden.

Visitation for Dorothy will take place from 4:00 PM until 6:30 PM on Friday, April 17, 2026 at the Gibson Family Funeral Home in Eagle (499 Elkhorn Road, Eagle, WI 53119). A Rosary Service will take place at 7:00 PM Friday evening at the funeral home with Fr. Garret Kau presiding.

A Second Visitation will take place at St. Theresa Catholic Church on Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 10:30 AM until 12:00 Noon. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 12:00 Noon at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Eagle (136 W. Waukesha Road, Eagle, WI 53119). Fr. Jordan Berghouse will officiate the mass. Dorothy will be laid to rest next to her husband in St. Theresa Catholic Cemetery immediately following the mass.

Gibson Family Funeral Homes of Eagle and Palmyra, WI is serving the family. To place an online condolence, please visit gibsonfuneral.com

Dorothy E. McCracken, 95, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2025, in Sarasota, Florida.

Born on April 14, 1930, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, to Carl and Joyce Meyer, Dorothy grew up in Whitewater and graduated from Whitewater High School. She then worked for a photographer and hand painted his first colored portraits, until she got married.

She and her first husband, Bernard Wafle, owned and operated a 179-acre dairy farm in Helenville, Wisconsin, for 25 years before relocating to Ocala, Florida, in 1979.

Dorothy later married Earl McCracken, in Ocala, Fl. She also shared a special companionship later in life with John Simms.

A devoted member of the First United Methodist Church of Ocala, Dorothy found joy in faith, fellowship, and service. She will be remembered for her love of family, her strong work ethic, and her kind and gentle spirit.

She is survived by her children: Cynthia Yapp of Boise, Idaho; Steven Wafle of Phoenix, Arizona; and Jeannie Comparetto of Sarasota, Florida. She also leaves behind her grandchildren: Mike Miller, Rebecca Sheu, Rachel Unverzagt, Anthony Comparetto, and Amanda McNally; and her great-grandchildren: Adeline, Theo, and Emma.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husbands, Bernard Wafle and Earl McCracken; her daughter, Sheryl Miller; her mother, Joyce Meyer; her sister, Joyce Sokolowski; her brother, Stan Meyer; and her companion, John Simms.

Dorothy’s life was one of faith, family, and dedication. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be held at First United Methodist Church, 145 S. Prairie Street, Whitewater, WI on Saturday, April 11 from 10-11 a.m. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater.

Carol Ann Seebruch, 88 of Whitewater passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, April 3, 2026. 

Carol was born July 12, 1937 in Chicago IL to William and Ann Borovec. She married Marvin Seebruch on June 9, 1984.

Carol and Marvin enjoyed traveling the United States making it to 48 of the 50 states. She also enjoyed her time with the Red Hat Ladies. She loved taking pictures of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Carol is survived by her three children; Bill Anderson of Fort Atkinson, WI, Terri Laban of Whitewater, WI, and Donna (Mike) Jones of Crivitz, WI. She is also survived by two stepchildren Roxanne (Dave) Ivek of Kalamazoo, MI and Renee Hansen of East Troy, WI. Carol is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

Per her request, there will be a private Celebration of Life.

Entered God’s Kingdom on Friday, April 3, 2026, age 65. Donna is survived by her cousins, other family and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents James and Lois (Michels) Lyons.

Donna was raised in the Church of Nazarene, with her father being the assistant pastor. Religion was very important to Donna.

Donna enjoyed working with the students of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, where she resided. Donna also loved to travel, visiting France, Italy, and all around the United States. She also loved to paint, cross-stitch, knit, and crochet. She also loved collecting recipes and trying new foods. Donna also enjoyed listening to music and watching movies.

Donna loved her parents and her family. She will be greatly missed by all those who loved her return.

Visitation to be held on Friday, April 10, 2026, at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 Newcomb Street, Whitewater, WI 53190, from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM. Funeral Service to begin at 11:00 AM. Interment to follow at Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater.

Nitardy Funeral Home of Whitewater is proudly serving Donna’s family and friends. For online condolences please visit www.nitardyfuneralhome.com.

Nels Richard Wiberg
March 16th, 1933 – April 2nd, 2026

Nels Richard Wiberg of Whitewater, Wisconsin passed away Thursday, April 2, 2026 in Whitewater. He was born March 16, 1933 in Aurora, IL to Nels Gunnar and Ethel Christina (Olsund) Wilberg from Batavia, IL

Nels grew up in Batavia, IL and went to Batavia High School. He then went to the University of Illinois where he met his “Swedish Girl” Greta Marion Hultgren. They married in Batavia, IL on December 26, 1953 and moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan. They moved back to Illinois to raise their family of two daughters and two sons in North Aurora, IL.

He was most proud of owning their yarn shop, The Great Yarn Loft, that he and Greta ran in Elmhurst, IL. It was there that he invented the Babe’s Fiber Starter, a contemporary, inexpensive spinning machine. They retired in Whitewater, Wisconsin.

Nels is survived by his wife, Greta of 73 years, and his four children, his sister Nancy (late Denis) Bowron of Geneva, IL and many loved nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Alyce (Late Robert) Konen.

A Memorial Celebration will be announced at a later date, and burial will be private.

Please honor Nels with contributions to Cardiovascular Research.

Nitardy Funeral home has been entrusted with his care.

Louise Ann Thompson, 76, of Beloit, WI, passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2026 at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg.

She was born on February 16, 1950 in Woodstock, IL, the daughter of Walter R. and Dolores (Kozial) Dravis. Louise was a Whitewater High School graduate. She married Joseph “Joe” Thompson on June 14, 2008 at the Beloit Rotary River Center.

Louise was formerly employed by OSF Saint Anthony’s as a facility manager until her retirement in February of 2016. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband, Joe Thompson; daughters, Kari (Michael) Listenbee and Krista Payne; bonus daughter, Melissa (Brian) Wise; grandchildren, Jordan (Maria) Listenbee, Amara (Tyler) Adgalanis, Kacey Payne, Cameron Payne, Brady Wise and Dillon Wise; great-grandchildren, Kai Listenbee, Luka Listenbee, and Beaux Adgalanis; including all of her siblings and many nieces and nephews.

Louise was predeceased by her parents.

A Memorial Service for Louise will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Daley Murphy Wisch & Associates Funeral Home and Crematorium, 2355 Cranston Rd., Beloit, WI. Visitation of Remembrance will be held from 4:00 p.m. until the time of service in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name may be made to Project 16:49, 2911 Carrousel Ln., Janesville, WI, 53545.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.daleymurphywisch.com.