Obituary: Karen Lorraine Topel, 68, of Fort Atkinson

Karen Lorraine Topel, 68, of Fort Atkinson passed away on August 5th, 2021 at her home.

Karen was born on June 3rd, 1953 in Fort Atkinson to Kenneth and Lorraine (Damuth) Topel. She spent her early life in Fort, graduating from Fort Atkinson High School in 1971. She evidently enjoyed the city, as she became a lifelong resident.

She liked to browse garage sales and thrift stores, but what she loved more was spending time with her grandchildren and her dear son, Brandon. She also had a fondness for her beloved dog, Chico. Karen was a passionate and caring person whose love for life and others will be remembered.

Karen is survived by her grandsons, Jadin Moldenhauer and Aaron Topel; her siblings, Nancy (John) Burton of Eagle, Michael (Kathy) Topel of Fort Atkinson, and Daniel Roberts of Hebron as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Lorraine; her grandparents; her son, Brandon Topel in 2017, and her infant sister, Linda Ann Topel.

A private family burial will take place at Lakeview cemetery. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Her family would like to extend special thanks to all her dear friends at Riverview Manor with whom she developed wonderful friendships.

She will be dearly missed.

Rest in Peace.

-Karen

Obituary: Diane Jean (Mauel) Deegan, 75

Diane Jean (Mauel) Deegan, born to Howard and Margaret Mauel on Aug 21, 1945 in Fort Atkinson Wi Hospital. Diane Deegan Passed at Rainbow Hospice on Aug 7, 2021. She is now peacefully waiting for the promised resurrection vs John 5:28-29.

Diane was preceded in death by her parents Howard and Margaret and her brother Gene Mauel.

Diane J Deegan is survived by her three children: Scott Deegan of Whitewater, Steve Deegan (Kim) of Eagle, Wi and Kelly Deegan-Reigle Janesville, Wi. She also has 3 grandchildren, Keith, Kody and Joshua Deegan, and her sister Janice Riley and brother Roy Mauel.

Diane had her own cleaning service for 45 years as she enjoyed most of her work, but also the long-term relationships over the years as well. She loved the outdoors planting, gardening and bird watching, along with the challenge of a good puzzle and the pleasure she got, when she finished it.

Diane was a member of the Congregation of Jehovah Witnesses, Fort Atkinson, Wi. She was baptized in 1973, had a very strong faith as this was a large part of her life. She loved sharing bible truths with friends and neighbors; her faith carried her through many of life’s challenges.

The family would like to thank Rainbow Hospice of Johnson Creek, Wi for their help, comfort and wonderful care they gave Diane. A special thanks to all the family and friends that came to comfort her in her last days.

Flowers for Diane’s family may be sent to the Nitardy Funeral Home in Whitewater.

A memorial visitation will be held on Sunday, August 22nd from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Nitardy Funeral Home in Whitewater. A virtual memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 28th at 5:00 p.m. via Zoom. Log into Zoom here: https://zoom.us/join

ID: 9180357193 Password: 334509

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

Obituary: Ralph H. Uhe, 88 (Updated with arrangements)

Celebration of Life
Ralph H. Uhe (October 17, 1932 – February 10, 2021)
Held at:  The Gathering Place                 
715 Campus Street
Milton, WI 53563                 Sunday, August 22, 2021 from 4pm to 7pm
Sunday, August 22, 2021 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The family of Ralph H. Uhe would like to invite you to attend a Celebration of Life in his honor.  
In his lifetime of farming and 20+ years at Spacesaver Corp. of Ft. Atkinson, he and wife Adele lived
their lives with so many great people in careers, friends and their community.  We wish to spend time
with all of you to celebrate.  A light luncheon type buffet will be provided.
www.albrechtfuneralhomes.com

Banner note: The following obituary was previously published on the Banner.

October 17, 1932 – February 10, 2021.  Milton, WI – Ralph H. Uhe, age 88, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2021.  He was born October 17, 1932 to Leslie and Dorathy Sutherland Uhe.  His family farmed in the Richmond, Lima Center and Milton area.  Ralph met his wife of 62 years, Adele Werfal Uhe at school, in Milton.  After they married, in 1953, they lived in Chicago and Kansas with the Army, stationed there during the Korean War Conflict.  At that time, they started their family of 6 children.  Once back to Milton they farmed and Ralph worked as a carpenter for Tom Goodger.  Next, they farmed in Fort Atkinson.  He and Adele moved back to Milton in 1972 at which time Ralph worked full time at Spacesaver Corp. for 22 yrs. while also crop farming, milking cows and raising cattle.  Ralph and Adele enjoyed many years of camping with family and friends.  During his retirement years he raised and sold Haflinger Horses.  After Adele passed in 2015, Ralph spent his time with family, friends and The Gathering Place, Milton.  He liked to refer to himself as “The Stubborn Ol’ German.”

He was a member of the North Lima Presbyterian Church since 1948, (73 years).  Past member of the WI Holstein Assoc., WI Jersey Breeders Assoc., HOW-Haflingers of WI, FFA Alumni and was a VFW member.  

Ralph is survived by his 6 children, Ralph F. (Brenda) Uhe, Phyllis Bechtloff, Wayne (Chris) Uhe, Tammie (Curt) Wendelschafer, Susan Passer,  James (Lisa) Uhe, his beloved 21 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren, brother Bill (Judi) Uhe, many cousins, nieces, nephews and special friends.  He is predeceased by his parents, his wife, brother Norman Uhe, 5 sisters, Elores Hulen, Valera Uhe, Lavona Hartman, Sharon Kitsembel and Noreen Kesterson.

A “Celebration of Life” will be held at a later date.  

A Special Thank you to Tracey Pastorius Peterson and the wonderful staff at Alden Estates, Jefferson.  He was also supported by an amazing Agrace staff. The Albrecht Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Milton is assisting the family.

Obituary: Robin J. (Eaton) Rabe, 63, of Two Rivers

Robin J. (Eaton) Rabe, age 63, of Two Rivers passed away suddenly on Thursday, August 5, 2021 at her residence.

Robin was born November 26, 1957 in Elkhorn, WI daughter of the late John H. and Grace (Eaton) Ambrose on May 28, 1977 she was united in marriage to John C. Rabe at First Methodist Church, Whitewater, WI.

Robin was retired, but had been employed with the former Hawthorne Melody Dairy and UW-Whitewater for many years.

She enjoyed reading, music, fishing, nature, baking and knitting, to name a few.

Survivors include her husband:  John Rabe, Two Rivers; their “Fur Baby” Chet; three sisters:  Grace Lequia; Linda Cook; Roberta Ambrose, all of Two Rivers; one brother-in-law:  Joseph F. Rabe, Whitewater; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  Robin was preceded in death by her parents John Eaton and Grace (Eaton) Ambrose and Nephew and Godson, Kevin Hagen.

Cremation has taken place at All-Care Cremation Center, Manitowoc and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.kleinandstangel.com

The Klein & Stangel Funeral Home, Two Rivers is assisting the Rabe family with funeral arrangements.

Obituary: Dr. Carolyn E. Wedin, 81


Carolyn E. Wedin died on July 28, 2021, at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. She was 81. Carolyn blended many facets of her life with tenacity and charm: devoted member of her large family, loving mother and grandmother, accomplished author, lauded professor, generous mentor, world traveler, silver-tongued radio commentator, spirited keeper of Swedish heritage in Northwestern Wisconsin, skilled Swedish/English translator, passionate sports fan. It is impossible to celebrate only one dimension of Carolyn’s shining life.

Born in Frederic, Wisconsin to parents Reuben and Ruth Hane Wedin, she was the youngest of eight siblings. She valued education her entire life, beginning in a one-room country school at Round Lake and Frederic High School (1957). She pursued higher education at Gustavus Adolphus College (1961), the University of Kansas (1964), and the University of Wisconsin (1976), earning B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees in writing and literature. Throughout her life she expressed her love of music on cornet and with her beautiful voice. She was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and earned recognition for her academic accomplishments from prestigious organizations such as the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, which twice named her as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow (1961 – 63) and a Dissertation Fellow (1975 – 76).

Carolyn was part of the first generation of women who broke into university teaching on a large scale. Her early teaching at the historically black Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina inspired her focus on African American literature.  When in 1965 the Klu Klux Klan burned a cross on the campus and her front yard to oppose the Civil Rights Movement at Shaw, Carolyn was the first to include black literature in the curriculum. In 1966, she joined the faculty of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, where she stayed for the remainder of her career. She taught and wrote about the literature and social justice work of people including James Baldwin (“James Baldwin,” 1980), Jessie Faucet (“Jessie Redmond Fauset,” 1981), and Mary White Ovington (“Inheritors of the Spirit: Mary White Ovington and the Founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People,” 1997).

As testament to her professional success, she was selected as a fellow of the Institute for Research in the Humanities at the University of Wisconsin, a Fulbright Lecturer at the University of Silesia in Poland (1991 – 92), and a Fulbright Roving Scholar in Norway (1996 – 97).  She also served interim appointments as a University of Wisconsin System Administrator (1975 – 76, 1980, 1981), as a Lecturer at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden (1985 – 86), and as Senior Research Associate at the University of Wisconsin System Institute on Race and Ethnicity (1992 – 93). She accepted the title of Professor Emeritus at UW-Whitewater upon her retirement in 1996.

Carolyn was a prolific author and commentator.  In addition to writing her memoir Teacher: Step Outside (2017), other books, and voluminous contributions to journals, newspapers, and encyclopedias, she often shared her perspectives on Wisconsin Public Radio. She cared deeply for the community where she grew up and so, following her retirement from UW Whitewater, she returned to Frederic in 1998. She continued to teach and write, and her lively participation throughout the area included classes in drama and writing through Frederic Community Education and the Swedish Club of Western Wisconsin. Her deep knowledge and love for local history led her to write a book about her grandmother and mother, “A Story of Immigration” (2013), and to translate and edit Louis Ahlstrom’s memoir “Historiska Skildringar” (with Inger Berggren and Stefan Sylvander). Ahlstrom was a key leader in the early immigration to West Sweden and Trade Lake; the book appeared in 2010 as “Historical Sketches: Fifty-five Years in Western Wisconsin 1869 – 1924.”  Carolyn was an enthusiastic supporter and organizer of cultural and educational institutions and events, and a keen local tour guide for friends and relatives from far and wide.

Carolyn’s family, friends, and students will remember her as a nurturer-extraordinaire who used many means and methods to encourage growth and joy in life, from hosting holiday smorgasbords to reviewing manuscripts.  She crossed many boundaries—as a woman in academia, as white scholar of African American literature, as sometimes expatriate, as intrepid traveler—providing a role model for others. A woman of extraordinary empathy, she always met people in the present moment and knew just what to say or do. Her energy for encouraging others to break through any perceived limitations was boundless, and through every new venture or challenge she would say, “I hope you are journaling about it!”  

Carolyn is survived by her husband, Anthony Rolloff, her children Monika Byrd (Shane), Mario Sylvander (Carmen), and Brendan Sylvander (Jill), and six grandchildren – Amanda Creden, Samuel Creden, Laken Sylvander, Henrik Sylvander, Milo Sylvander, and Sylvie Sylvander.

Those whom she leaves behind will never forget her wit, intellect, grace and undying love and care for them. Memorial services will be Saturday, August 7, at 2 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church of Trade Lake (11841 County Road Z, Frederic, Wisconsin).

Memorial donations may be made to the Gustavus Adolphus College Fund to provide scholarships (https://gustavus.edu/giving/waystogive.php  Gustavus Adolphus College, Office of Advancement, 800 West College Avenue, St. Peter, MN 56082, 1-800-726-6192).

Obituary: Joan Norma Danz, 80

Joan Norma Danz, 80, of Whitewater passed away at her home on Saturday, July 31, 2021.

Joan was born on January 24, 1941 in Chicago, IL to Norman and Josephine (Lass) Ellingsen. Her mother preceded her in death when Joan was a child. Norman married Shirley Anderson and together they raised Joan. Joan graduated from Steinmetz High School in Chicago. She married Albert Danz on January 21, 1964. Joan enjoyed dancing and singing in her younger years. She kept active by water skiing, bowling, camping and spending time on the pontoon. She was a member of First English Lutheran Church.

She is survived by her husband Albert Sr.; children Albert Danz Jr, Escanaba,MI, Charles Danz, Whitewater; grandchildren Tanner, Logan, Gabrielle (Steve) Tietz; great-grandchildren Ava, Everly, Jaxon; sisters: Paulette Ferris, and Carol “Candy”(Frank) Westerman; brother, Norman “Skip” (Deanna) Ellingsen.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Nitardy Funeral Home 550 N. Newcomb St. Whitewater, WI 53190. Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service.

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

Obituary: Rev. John M. Lyford

Rev. John M. Lyford of Whitewater entered the church triumphant on July 28, 2021.

John was born June 11, 1926, in West Allis, Wis. After his high school graduation, he entered the U.S. Army and served in the Pacific during World War II. Following the war, John attended the Milwaukee Business Institute and worked in industry for five years. He married Jean Ann Keller, also of West Allis, on Sept. 20, 1952. John felt called to the ministry, and after graduating from Monmouth College in Illinois, and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania, John was ordained a minister in the Presbyterian Church USA in June 1960. John served churches in Taylorstown, Pa., Brookfield, Ill., and Oconto, Wis.

John is survived by his wife Jean Keller Lyford, daughter Susan Lyford Woods (Jeff Woods), of Fort Atkinson, son Tim Lyford of Green Bay, granddaughter Jennifer Woods (Joe Zweep) and great grandson Rowan Woods Zweep of Fort Atkinson, and grandson Michael Woods (Laura) of Englewood, Colo.

Services will be at a later date at Fairhaven Retirement Community, where they have resided for the past 17 years.

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

Obituario: Virginia Lou Sanchez


Virginia Lou Sanchez nacio en Marzo 15 de 1949 en Denver Colorado. Sus Padres, Lorenzo Sanchez y Maria Transito Sanchez. 

Virginia fue una mujer tranquila, seria y reservada. Tuvo cuatro hijos: Miguel Angel, Juana Adriana, Antonio  Eduardo, y Veronica. Con 8 nietos y seis visnietos con los cuales convivio con todos y fue muy querida por todos . Ella conocio lugares las cuales nunca imagino. 

Aqui con su familia presente te desean que descanse en Paz. Y Dios te tenga en su Santa Gloria.

Una misa de entierro cristiano tendrá lugar a las 11:30 a.m. el viernes 30 de julio de 2021 en la Iglesia Católica St. Patrick en Whitewater. Una vigilia se llevará a cabo a partir de las 9:30 a.m. hasta la hora de la misa. Un entierro tendrá lugar otro día.

Nitardy Funeral Home está ayudando a la familia con los arreglos. Puede dar el pésame en línea en www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Robert “Bob” Millard Markham passed away on July 19, 2020 (UPDATED with arrangements )


(UPDATE – July 29) – A Celebration of Life Service will be held for Robert Markham at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Whitewater, WI at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021.  No flowers please.

For all the truckers, there will be a procession of semi trucks from the church to the Farm. No trailers please.
Following that, an informal, outside gathering of friends and family will take place at Dave Triebold’s Farm at N7618 Engel Rd. in Whitewater.  Food will be catered by Annie’s.

Robert Millard Markham

October 7, 1928 – July 19, 2020
Robert “Bob” Millard Markham of Pharr, TX passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2020 at the age of 91. Bob died peacefully with his beloved wife Shirley by his side. Bob was born in Eagle,WI on October 7, 1928, to Millard Brown Jr. and Mary Anna (Braun) Markham. The oldest of 14 children, he graduated from Whitewater High School in three years. He was drafted by the Army at age 22 and stationed in Germany from 1950 -1952. He married Shirley Mae Kau on October 2, 1954. In 1957, he started Markham Trucking Service. He continued operating this business until he retired in 1991. After retiring, Bob and Shirley traveled across the country in their custom RV for over 20 years, finally settling in Pharr, TX where they enjoyed square dancing.


Bob was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers: Kenneth, Donald, and Gordon; as well as his sisters, Rose Jones and Elizabeth Fetting. He is survived by his wife Shirley Mae Markham; children: Carol Tiffany, Jeff (Kathleen) Markham, Holly Hoff, Brad (Diane) Markham and Russell Markham; grandchildren: Tiffany (Brad) Gretschmann, Alicia Markham, Emily Markham, Andi Markham, Josephine (Wyatt) Bennett and Jeremiah (Jess) Markham; great-grandchildren, Eli and MacKenzie Gretschmann; and siblings: Duane (Lorraine) Markham, Gerald Markham, JoAnne Flahive, Glen (Rose) Markham, Roger (Carol) Markham, David (Mary Ellen) Markham, Phillip (Barbara) Markham, and Kathleen (Richard) Brinkhaus.


A celebration of life service will be held in the coming year.