Obituaries

Harold E. “Charlie” Brown, 84, of Palmyra, WI passed away on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at Waukesha Memorial Hospital.

Charlie was born on December 18, 1937 in Chilhowie, VA the son of Charles and Annie (Hagy) Brown. He grew up in Davis Valley, VA and graduated from Rural Retreat High School. After high school, Charlie faithfully served his country in the United States Air Force. On April 25, 1964, Charlie was united in marriage to Helen Peardon at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Waukesha, WI. The Lord blessed their union with two loving sons, Dave and Dan. Charlie worked as a plumber for the majority of his working career and was a member of the Plumbers’ Union for over 35 years. He excelled at his work and was very skilled. Faith was also a very large part of Charlie’s life. He was a very involved member at St. Luke’s for many years, serving on the Amigo Maintenance Team and also as an usher. Charlie was also a Freemason and a member of the Eastern Star. For leisure, he enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers. The most important thing in Charlie’s life was his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was happiest spending time with his family. He gave good advice and made sure all his family felt loved and cared for. He will be sincerely missed.

He is survived by: his loving wife of 56 years, Helen Brown of Palmyra, WI; his sons, Dave (Connie) Brown of Palmyra, WI, and Dan Brown of Whitewater, WI; his dear grandchildren, Lynnette, Sheri, Danielle (Ryan), Josh (Crystal), Nate, Robby, and Andrew; his great-grandchildren, Arianna, Leah, Caleb, Zachary, Evan, and Alexis; and his sister, Gaye Brown of VA.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Elbert, Howard, Robert and Ray, and his dear great-grandson, Isaac.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to express their sympathy may consider donating to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Waukesha in Charlie’s name.

A Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at the Gibson Family Funeral Home in Palmyra, WI (320 W. Main St. Palmyra, WI 53156). The Rev. Steve Bogie will officiate the service. Visitation will take place from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Harold will be laid to rest with full military honors in Melendy’s Prairie Cemetery during a private family service at a later date.

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

Terry Badura, 74, of Fort Atkinson entered the arms of his loving Savior on Sunday, February 20, 2022 after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.  Terry lived his late stage at Reena Memory Care where his charm and little dance steps will be missed.

Terry was born on December 26, 1947 to Harvey and Irene (Punzel) Badura.  He was a 1966 graduate of Fort Atkinson.  Terry entered the United States Army in 1969 and served in the Vietnam War being awarded two Purple Hearts.  He married Pamela Wolfram in 1971.  He was employed at Butler Manufacturing, J-Star Industries, and St. Paul School over the years. 

Terry was a member of St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church.  He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and brother.  

Terry is survived by his wife, Pam Badura; children, Jason (Lisa) Badura, Lori (Adam) Skaar, Jennifer (Paul) Bratz; four grandchildren, Ethan Skaar, Joseph Skaar, Adeline Bratz, Aiden Bratz; three sisters, Peggy (Bill) Peterson, twin sisters – Jean and Sheila Badura; cousins, nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Irene Badura; two infant sons, Benjamin and Timothy Badura; and maternal and paternal grandparents.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Reena Memory Care, Rainbow Hospice, and family and friends for their love and support.

A memorial service will take place at 12 PM on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson.  A visitation will take place from 10 AM until the time of service. Family and friends are invited immediately following the service for a celebration of Terry’s life with a meal and memories at the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Terry’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Donna Enright Bonk-Lasch

There must be borrowed angels here in life.  They come along, into this world and make it bright but they cannot stay forever because they are Heaven sent.  Sometimes Heaven needs them back again.  

Heaven called Donna back again on February 21, 2022.  She was born on August 28, 1934, to Lyle and Dola (McMahon) Enright.  Donna graduated from Whitewater City High School as Salutatorian in 1952.  She married Joseph Bonk on October 3, 1953.  He preceded her in death in 1971.  Together they had two sons Dan and Bob.

Donna married Russell Lasch on April 7, 1979.  He preceded her in death in 2016.  She worked for 34 years at Fort Healthcare.  Donna had fond memories of Dr. Phil Yao, Dr. Julie Mochtar and their staff.  In the 1970’s she was known to travel many hours and hundreds of miles just to watch her boys run a less than a minute track race.  She was one of LaCrosse Indians’ biggest fans.  When Donna and Russell retired, they could often be found at Novak’s Restaurant sitting at the table of knowledge with friends discussing many of Whitewater’s issues of the day over a cup of coffee. She enjoyed traveling, snowmobiling, bowling and playing cards.  Donna was an avid Green Bay Packer, Milwaukee Brewer and Wisconsin Badger football fan.  

She is survived by her sons: Dan (Carrie) Bonk, Bellville, TX, Bob (Terry) Bonk, Edwardsburg, MI; sister, Lyles Lee Dravus, Janesville, WI; grandchildren: Jason Bonk, Twin Lakes, WI, Courtney Hinzpeter, Walworth, WI, Colten Bonk, San Antonio, TX, Mackenzie Bonk, Arlington, TX; bonus grandchildren: Brandon (Molly) Pechous, Eagle, WI, Tyler (Katie) Pechous, Whitewater, WI; great-grandchildren: Hayes and Shay Hinzpeter; bonus great-grandchildren: Kaleb Pechous, Bria Lang and many nieces and nephews. 

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, February 25, 2022 at 11:00 am at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St. Whitewater, WI 53190.  Burial will follow at the Hillside Cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 10:00 am until the time of the service.  As an expression of sympathy you may wish to consider memorials to Rainbow Hospice.  Online condolences may be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com        

Betty J. Baker passed away on January 23, 2022 at her daughter’s home in Oak Harbor, Washington. Betty was born at home on March 6, 1943 in Whitewater, Wisconsin the daughter of Benjamin I. Wickham and Elsie C. (Fitzpatrick) Petitt.

Growing up in Whitewater, Betty had 2 older siblings (Carolyn Jane and Benjamin Wickham) and 2 older half-brothers (Virgil and Garland Andrew Brown).

In August 1961, Betty married David H. Baker. Together, they had had four children (David, Elizabeth, Cindy, and Pamela). During her marriage they traveled throughout the U.S., they settled in Sheridan, Wyoming before separating and Betty moved back to Whitewater to be near her mom.
Betty worked for more than 30 years at Fairhaven Senior Services in Whitewater. Upon retiring, Betty enjoyed her time with her family and pets. In the fall of 2020 Betty moved to Oak Harbor, Washington.

Betty was preceded in death by her father, Benjamin, mother, Elsie, sister Carolyn Riedel, and half-brothers Virgil and Garland Brown.
Betty is survived by her son David (Mary), and daughters Elizabeth (Harvey), Cindy (Richard), and Pamela (Tedd) as well as seven grandchildren (Harvey Jr., Daniel, Tom, Jason, Sarah, Ritchie, and Emily), nieces and nephews.

A private memorial service will be held later this year and her final resting place will be by her mom at Hillside Cemetery, Whitewater.

Ronald (Ron) E. Anderson of Fort Atkinson, 78, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Meriter Hospital of Madison on Feb 3, 2022.  After besting all cancer could throw at him for 20 years, he lost the battle with Covid-19 in 20 days.  He would want you to know he was fully vaccinated, but as full of life, as he was, he was among the vulnerable. Ron would also wish you to know that when you can, you should opt for Medicare B coverage.

If you know Ron, you know he had a joy for life, love of a good shared meal, and above all fierce dedication to his family.  And if you were fair to him, or kind to those he cared about, you were also his family.

Ron worked hard his whole life, starting as a young child to help support his mother and his younger brother. He met the love of his life, Susan (Sue) Anderson (nee Krismanick) in the Chicago area when they were 19 years old and together they raised a family and built a business together (Anderson Machining Service, Inc. in Jefferson and Whitewater) that touched and supported many in the community over their 58 years together.

Ron is survived by his beloved bride Sue, daughter Julie Anderson, sons Erik (Corina) Anderson, Matthew-Drazy (Laetitia) Anderson, and Kyle (Shawyn) Anderson, brother Wayne, grandchildren Ian, Seadna, Serra, Declin, Esme, Severn, Luna, and his cherished dog Nice. He is preceded by his mother Audrey Anderson. He will be both missed and forever etched into the fabric of our being. We are all better for having known him. We’ll miss you dude, rest and know you were loved.

He brought a light and lightness to this world that will burn as bright and long as the stars above for the countless people who had the fortune of knowing him. Please celebrate his life. The best way to do that is to gather your family around and make a special meal.  “Cantonese ribs” is a recipe he sweet-talked from a chef at one of the favorite restaurants he and Sue frequented when they were first married that they made at special family get-togethers.  Secret sauce recipe: 1/3 cup of soy sauce, 1/3 cup bead molasses (blackstrap if you can’t find bead), 1/3 of a cup sugar, ½ cup of ketchup, and 1-2 beef bouillon cubes in enough water to dissolve.  These are baby back ribs (1-2 slabs), cut individually and cooked with salt and pepper for about 2 hours at 300 degrees.  Drain fat, coat with sauce, and cook 30 more minutes, flip, re-coat with sauce, and cook 30 more minutes or until falling from bone. Then raise a rib for Ron.  For the vegetarians among you, a dry martini will also work.  “To Ron, he took care of family.”

A small family ceremony is planned at Nitardy Funeral Home in Fort Atkinson. Ron will be interred at St. Josephs Cemetery in Fort Atkinson. A memorial for the public is planned for spring or summer to allow safe distancing in respect of Ron’s wishes. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) because nothing is more Ron than to continue to take care of the family he loved.  If you want to be alerted to the future celebration of Ron’s life, send that request to ron@sueron.com.

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Annabell Jeanette Hoof, age 84 of Whitewater, WI, passed peacefully on Friday, February 4th at St Mary’s Hospital in Janesville.

Funeral service information will be published at a later date. 

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

John Joseph Newhouse passed away on February 2, 2022 at Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He was born on December 4, 1931 in Rhinelander, Wisconsin as the beloved only child of Joseph and Mary (Stevens) Newhouse.

He graduated from Rhinelander High School in 1949. After graduation, he worked for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad before starting college at UW-Oshkosh. While at Oshkosh, he met Arlene Pankratz of Manitowoc and they were married on June 6, 1953 at St. Joseph’s Church in Alverno, Manitowoc County. During his time at Oshkosh, he played football for four years and was in the Periclean Fraternity. He graduated in 1954 with a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education. After graduation, he was drafted into the Army in 1954 and trained at Fort Riley, Kansas and served at the 7th Army Headquarters in Vaihingen, Stuttgart, Germany as an Intelligence Analyst before he was discharged in 1956. He began teaching and coaching football and basketball at Random Lake High School while working on his Master’s Degree in Secondary School Administration, receiving his degree in 1960 from UW-Wisconsin. Eventually, he taught at Brookfield Central High School and became assistant principal in 1960. In 1968, he became Principal of Whitewater High School, serving in that role until his retirement in 1987. For eight years, John was a member of the WIAA Board of Control and during his tenure, Title IV was passed. After his retirement, he continued his involvement in high school sports activities for many years.

Over the years, John was involved in many community activities. He was co-founder of the Whitewater Community Foundation. He was on the library board, involved with the Whitewater Historical Society, and was secretary of the Whitewater Breakfast Kiwanis for over 30 years. He was a member of the American Legion, the VFW, a volunteer for Fort Healthcare Partners, a poll worker for Whitewater elections, and an usher at Irvin Young Auditorium. In 2013, he traveled to Washington, D.C. with VetsRoll.

John was survived by his wife Arlene; seven children: Michael (Sally Esthay) of Lakeway, TX, James of St. Francis, WI, Thomas (Blu) of Madison WI, Steven (Jina) of Winter Garden, FL, Christopher of Waterloo, WI, Mary (Greg Weaver) of Milwaukee, WI, and Anne (Chris Cooper) of Milwaukee, WI; six grandchildren: Nicole (Steve) Cervantes, Brandon Newhouse, Sophie (Luke) Martell, Megan (Sebastian) Smith, Andrew (Haley) Newhouse, and Susannah; eight great- grandchildren: Cody Conrad, Madelyn Sislo, Emma and Peyton Williams, Genevieve and Gunner Martell, and Harrison and Emelia Smith.

John and Arlene are members of St. Patrick Catholic Church. At the present time, there will be no service but there will be a memorial service at a later date. Burial will be at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Union Grove, WI.

Memorials may be directed to the John Newhouse Memorial of the Whitewater Community Foundation or the Kiwanis Children’s Fund.

Armstrong resident, Ardyth Albertson, 76, passed away peacefully at her home on February 2, 2022.

Ardyth Virgean Albertson was born August 7, 1945 in Whitewater, WI, a daughter to Gilman and Matie (Sanders) Hagen. She attended and graduated from Whitewater High School in 1963. On July 21, 1973, she married the love of her life, Roy Albertson in Beloit, WI. Together they’ve enjoyed over 48 years of marriage. For her professional career, Ardyth worked at Parker Pen Company in Janesville Wisconsin, and Besly Cutting Tool Company in Beloit Wisconsin as manager of employee relations. Ardyth was a devout member of Sharon Bible Church in Armstrong, MO, and had a strong relationship and love for her Lord and Savior.

Survivors include her husband of the home, Roy Albertson; nephew, Sam (Kathleen) Stroup; three nieces, Vickie (Mark) Gassman, Penny (Pete) Brown and Tammy (Bill) Verner. She is also survived by 11 great-nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four sisters.

A funeral service honoring the life of Mrs. Albertson is 1 PM, Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at Friemonth-Freese Funeral Home in Fayette, with Rev. Harold Young officiating. Visitation will be held an hour before the service starting at noon. Private burial will be held at Sharon Cemetery in rural Armstrong, MO.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Sharon Bible Church or Hometown Homecare, in care of Friemonth-Freese Funeral Service, 174 Hwy. 5 & 240 N., Fayette, MO 65248.

DeWight L. Hookstead passed away on February 1, 2022 at Rainbow Hospice Center in Johnson Creek, Wisconsin. He was born March 22, 1930 in Lima Township to Ethel (Turner) and William F. Hookstead. He lived most of his life in Lima Township; five of those years were spent on a farm in Rome, WI. He was a farmer, owning farms in three different counties and a can and bulk milk hauler. He was a member of Woodstock Progressive Milk Producers Association.

DeWight married Sibylla A. Weber on September 25, 1954 in Pittsville, WI. They had eight children, six sons and two daughters. We promised DeWight we would keep this as inexpensive as possible so we will not be listing everybody’s names. He had copious amounts of grandchildren and a gaggle of great grandchildren! Call 262-473-4470 for more information.

DeWight had many things he enjoyed; among them were slopping the hogs, milking the cows by hand, playing cards and telling stories. His memory was amazing; he could recall dates, weather, numbers and details of any event! Especially the ones learned as a child listening in on adult conversations and from his dad. We hope all of you who knew him will continue telling his stories!

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Sunday, February 6th at 1:30 pm at All Faiths Funeral Home in Janesville, Wisconsin. Words of Remembrance will begin at 2:30 pm. All Faiths Funeral and Cremation Services of Janesville is assisting the family. Online expressions of condolences and support may be made at: www.866allfaiths.com.