Obituaries

Professor George B. Hafer, 91, of Whitewater, passed away on Friday, December 15, 2023, at Glenwood at Mulberry.  No formal service will be held at this time.  Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Judith “Judy” (Nee Roe) Triebold, 90, went home to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 10, 2023. Born in May of 1933 to Wilfred and Virginia Roe, Judy was raised on the family farm just outside of Whitewater, WI. Judy graduated as Valedictorian from Whitewater City High, Class of ‘51, and then from Whitewater Teacher’s College (now UW-Whitewater). After graduation, she taught at Finch School, a one room school located near Richmond, WI. Judy sometimes shared favorite stories from her teaching experience: one cold winter day several hardy farm boys, students of hers, lifted her car and turned it sideways in the school garage, leaving her stranded. On another occasion, Judy discovered there were rattlesnakes in the school basement. One of her students indicated that it was no problem, that he was experienced in such matters, and that he could easily dispatch them. A short time later, the snakes were turned out into a nearby field. Imagine allowing a student to do that today!

Judy fell in love with her High School sweetheart, Richard Triebold, and they were married on July 2^nd, 1955. Richard and Judy lived in Janesville, WI, where Judy took a job in the chemistry department at Parker Pen. They moved to Rockford, IL., for a time, and then returned to Whitewater to help establish Triebold Implement, Inc., where Richard and Judy worked together for many years.

Judy was loved by everyone who knew her, and her kind heart and giving spirit set an example of how to live a gracious life. She became a second mother figure to her younger brother Don, and they built a special bond, which lasted a lifetime. For years Judy served on various church boards; taught Sunday School and confirmation class; was a 4-H leader, teaching gardening, sewing, knitting, cooking, and choir; was a member of the Congregational Ladies Circle; a member of Alpha Club; and served with many other organizations. In addition to all of her service, Judy loved to paint, and was well known for her annual Christmas cards, which often had a bright red Cardinal painted somewhere in the background. She was a devoted wife to Richard, and mother to Raymond (Mindy), Joanne (Gary), Jeannine (Jerry), and Robert (Ellen).

Judy was predeceased by her husband, Richard, and is survived by her children; her brothers, Dean (Colleen) and Don (Mary); her brother-in-law, Don Triebold; her grandchildren: Jason (Jenelle) Himebauch; Amy (Nicholas) Jordan; Claire (Scott) Albrecht; Adam (Emily) Triebold; Jane Judith Triebold; Kyra Triebold; Kelsey Triebold; Jacob (Carly) Kincade; Kaitlyn (Nathan) Palacios; and Stacey (Tony) Heilberger; her great-grandchildren: Margaret, Andrew, and Bridget Jordan; Jude and Jonah Himebauch; Carter Albrecht; Everett Heilberger; and Evangeline and Emmett Palacios.

We wish to thank all the people who took such good care of Judy: the fine staff of Fairhaven and Hearthstone; the staff of Rainbow Hospice Care; and all the kind friends and neighbors who called on Judy just to let her know that she was loved and not forgotten.

Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m., Saturday January 13^th, at the UCC Congregational Church, 133 S Franklin St, Whitewater, WI. A Service of Remembrance will follow at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Rainbow Hospice Care (Jefferson, WI), Fairhaven Senior Services, or to Bethel House (in Whitewater).

Nitardy Funeral Home is serving the family.

www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Helen Louise (Harris) Agnew
January 3, 1930 – December 8, 2023

MILTON – Helen L. Agnew, passed away Friday, December 8, 2023 at Milton Senior Living. Helen was born at Whitewater Hospital on January 3, 1930 to Arthur and Nellie (Logan) Harris. She graduated from Whitewater High School and married William Agnew in 1949. Bill and Helen enjoyed a happy 61 years of marriage and together, they built the legacy of Agnew Farms, which continues today.

Mom and Dad were active in the Rock County agriculture industry, with the Rock County 4-H Fair being near to their hearts. Through the fair, they met many of their dear friends. Mom spent much of her free time volunteering for the North Lima Presbyterian Church, Lima 4-H, Mercy Hospital, and Rock Prairie Presbyterian Church. Mom was proud to be the mother to four children, and always provided three meals a day and a warm and inviting home. In their retirement, they enjoyed their place at Blackhawk Campground on Clear Lake, where many sunny afternoons were spent with their children and grandchildren. Her grandchildren all considered Grandma’s house a home away from home. Mom has missed Dad for 13 years and we are grateful that they are reunited in heavenly love. Mom was loyal, unwavering, and generous with her time. She was the heart of our family. Special thanks to the staff at Milton Senior Living, for their many years of care and compassion, and Mercy Hospice for ensuring a peaceful passing. 

Mom is survived by her four children: Bob (Sherrie) Agnew of Whitewater, Steve (Carla) Agnew of Milton, Connie Agnew Carwardine of Milton, and Jeff (Jean) Agnew of Fort Atkinson; 10 grandchildren: Stephanie Agnew, Carrie (Rebecca) Agnew, Kris (Janelle) Agnew, Jessica (Nick) Sarbacker, Leslie (Al) Hulick, Katie (Mike Jelen) Bentz, Jacob (Mel) Agnew, Alex (James Brue) Agnew, Jedd (Sam Migliozzi) Agnew, and Billy (Mariah Allard) Agnew; step-grandchildren Joe (Lori) Carwardine and Jessica (Kevin) Schneider; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Mom was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband, Bill; her sisters Barbara Hale and Betty Ann Webb; sister-in-law Carole Agnew Brandt; son-in-law Jim Carwardine; and great-grandson Ty Rivers.

Friends may call on Friday, December 15, 2023 beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Rock Prairie Presbyterian Church (8605 E. Cty Hwy A, Janesville), with a 2:30 p.m. memorial service to follow. Albrecht Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Milton are assisting the family. www.albrechtfuneralhomes.com In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Gathering Place or Rock Prairie Presbyterian Church.

It is with great sadness that the Coppenbarger family announces the passing of Mrs. Eva Lavonne Buck Coppenbarger, 92, on Dec. 8, 2023, in Arden, NC. Mrs. Coppenbarger was born Jan. 18, 1931, in Columbus, Kansas, to Oliver Francis and Alpha Augusta Buck. She grew up in Baxter Springs, KS, attending Pittsburg State University as an undergraduate. She received her Master of Music in Piano Performance degree from George Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville, TN, in 1955. Mrs. Coppenbarger started playing piano at age five and by the age of fifteen had a weekly live radio program entitled “The Piano Artistry of Lavonne Buck.”

Mrs. Coppenbarger was hired as an adjunct piano teacher and accompanist in 1965 at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, becoming full-time in 1971, retiring in 1993. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Roger Dean Coppenbarger. She is survived by her sons Brent (Sonja) of Cleveland, SC; Curt (Katie) of Hudson, WI; Casey (Nancy) of Arden, NC; and grandchildren Sarah, Nate, Ethan, Cole, Rebecca, and William.

Joanne Carla Bruch, age 88, of Whitewater, Wisconsin passed away on December 7, 2023 with family by her side at Clement Manor, in Greenfield, WI.

Joanne was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin on August 12, 1935, to Elinor (Perry) Larson and James Larson. She grew up in the Heart Prairie and Whitewater area. She graduated from Whitewater High School in 1953.

On October 23, 1954 Joanne married Harry Bruch at the First United Methodist Church in Whitewater, Wisconsin.

Joanne worked at Whitewater Electronics from 1964 to 1980, and then worked with the IUE offices in Milwaukee, eventually retiring as the IUE Staff Representative for the state of Wisconsin in 1991. She continued her union affiliation in retirement by chairing the retiree group for District 8 and serving as a board member for the Wisconsin Council of Senior Citizens for many years.

Joanne will forever be known as an outgoing and social person, who loved enjoying puzzles, card games, and social activities with friends and family. She had quite a way with words. All were welcome at her house and no one left her house hungry. Joanne was a proud and ardent member of the Democratic Party. She is also a member of the First United Methodist Church of Whitewater, WI, where she spent many Friday afternoons happily folding bulletins.

Surviving her are: daughter Arlene (Jeff Ugorek) Gries of Oregon, IL, daughter Kathlene “Kasey” (Dr. Conrad Nenn) Bruch-Nenn of Cudahy, WI, son Steven Bruch of Hammond, LA, daughter Paulene (Randy) Euhardy of Sugar Bush, WI, daughter Jennifer (Frank) Delgado of Lake Geneva, WI, daughter Janis (Leonard “Butch”) Witt of Whitewater, WI, as well as 11 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Additionally, Joanne is survived by many nieces and nephews, sister-in-laws and brother-in laws, and friends of all ages she considered her sons, daughters, or sisters of choice.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents Elinor and James, her husband Harry, her brother James, and her sister Jeannie Patrick.

Funeral Services will be held at First United Methodist Church, 145 S Prairie St. Whitewater, WI, on December 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow immediately at Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joanne’s honor to First United Methodist Church in Whitewater, WI.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude towards Clement Manor, as well as, Allay Home & Hospice for their exceptional care of Joanne.

Roberta Lane Bollenbach (73) passed away November 29, 2023 after a long struggle with lung disease. Robie spent her final hours at home with her family. She was born on March 24, 1950 to John (Bob) & Lois Elkin. After many moves, the family settled in New Berlin, WI where she went on to graduate from high school.

Robie soon enjoyed her newly found friends and a career in the financial community. Robie met Gary Bollenbach at a local establishment and in May of 1976 they were married in a beautiful historic church in Middleton, WI. The church overlooked Gary’s modest family farm of three generations. Gary often said that it was where he developed his platform to guide him for his travels in life.

Gary’s career had taken him to New York where they spent their first two years as newlyweds. Then on to Florida for a couple more years, and finally putting down roots in North Prairie, WI. This is where they built a home on some acreage, tucked up adjacent to the Kettle Moraine State Forest. They remained there for thirty years. Robie eventually became a full-time mom and loved the rural life. She spent hours in her beautiful flower gardens and often walked their wooded trails with the girls by her side, enjoying nature’s beauty. She also lovingly participated in raising Gary’s son, Brett.

For thirty years, they owned a home on Jordan Lake, where family and friends gathered year around. Robie could not wait each week to head up north. She would watch from the deck as all the activities were going on. She would record all the memories of water skiing, boating, snow skiing, snowmobiling, and millions of campfires. They decided to move there permanently in 2010.

Robie’s loving care and support was the foundation for her family. She worked tirelessly maintaining the households, running the girls around and paying all the bills. More recently, she would enjoy as much time as she could with her 2 grandchildren.

She loved and was loved and now her work is done. In her final hours, she said she was ready to leave this world behind. It was time to meet the lord God and to find Jenna again – she left us at peace.

A life intertwined with love.

Robie is survived by her husband – Gary, Children – Jessica Berndt (Mike) of Waterford, WI and their children, Blake (14) and Lainey (12). Also, Jenna Bollenbach (Jenna passed on July 1, 2018 & is with us from heaven). Also, Brett Bollenbach of Middleton, WI, who joined the family as a toddler. She is also survived by her sisters: Minda (Jerry) Jewson, and Debra (Rick) Merkel. She is also survived by her brothers: Steve (Michele) Elkin, and John (Traci) Elkin. She was preceded in death by her mom (Lois) & dad (Bob) Elkin.

A memorial will be held at Nitardy Funeral Home (1008 Madison Ave. Fort Atkinson, WI) on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. The service will follow at noon.

Please join us at 1:00 p.m. for a luncheon and celebration of Robie’s life at the Country Inn & Suites (1650 Doris Dr., Fort Atkinson, WI).

Discounted rooms are available.

At nitardyfuneralhome.com you will find a place to express your condolences as well.

Suzanne (Ogden) Inglefield, 85, passed away on November 22, 2023, in Fort Myers, Florida.

Sue was born in Akron, Ohio and during her youth had several hometowns in the US and abroad while traveling with her parents and younger brother as her father served as a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army. She graduated from Washington Lee High School in Virginia and attended Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. She received her Bachelor of Music Education in Double Bass and was certified to teach K-12 Music, Elementary Classroom, and had a minor in Botany.

After graduating from Eastman, Suzanne began her 30+ year teaching career in 1962 as an elementary teacher at the Woodland School in Stow, Ohio. During this time, she also played double bass in the Akron and Columbus Symphony Orchestras. After relocating with her husband, Howard, and young daughter, Cindy, to Whitewater, Wisconsin in 1966, Sue joined the Whitewater High School faculty as Vocal Music Director where she led numerous choral groups, swing choir, taught music theory class, gave private vocal and piano lessons, and left an indelible impact on her students. Sue’s choral performances were known for their difficult repertoire, precision, and musicality. “Mrs. I” always believed that her high school students could rise to the difficulty of professional works including Beethoven’s 9^th Ode to Joy, Norman Dello Joio’s Jubilant Song or Aaron Copland’s Ching-A-Ring Chaw with encouragement, determination, and hard work. As a result of her professionalism and dedication to quality, her choruses were invited to perform with regional orchestras including the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Senior Choir was invited to perform at Lincoln Center in New York City. She retired in 1995.

Sue and her husband, Howard, were avid travelers. They were both past Presidents of the Wisconsin Badger Chapter of the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) and Sue was a 4-Star Mariner on Holland America. Rarely was there a summer when they weren’t travelling cross-country together in their motorhome, taking a cruise, or driving to a local national park just to camp. She navigated the family motorhome over every interstate in the nation, visited every state and most of the National Parks. She was equally comfortable in the Captain’s Dining Room on the cruise ship or in the canoe of the tribal chief paddling down the Amazon River. She loved experiencing the Great Barrier Reef and the Green Mountains of New Zealand.

Sue was also an excellent seamstress, a lifelong birder, a generous philanthropist to numerous organizations, and was a devoted naturalist. She was an active volunteer for Audubon Florida’s EagleWatch program and logged hundreds of hours monitoring her assigned eagle nests near her home. However, what most will remember about Sue is her kindness and her openness to everyone. She is the mother most kids wish they had. She would not criticize but always encourage. She thrived on details and had an insatiable appetite for knowledge. When any question came up, she would quickly consult Google because she couldn’t stand not knowing the answer. Those who knew her well, unanimously think of her as vivacious, enthusiastic, and full of life.

Sue was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. Suzanne was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Howard Inglefield, and is survived by a brother, Charles L. Ogden, Jr. of Fort Myers, Florida; by two daughters, Cynthia Sullivan and her husband Timothy of Fort Myers, and Sylvia Hatcher and her husband Nathan of Plant City, Florida; a granddaughter, Kristin Olson Kraus and her husband Steve of Fairbanks, Alaska; and two nieces, Brigid Ogden of Bonita Springs, Florida, and Marie (Ogden) Repec and her husband Eric of Scottsdale, Arizona, along with their three children.

The family will hold a private memorial service near her home in Florida. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Best Friends Animal Society by mail to: Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, UT 84741; or online at: https://support.bestfriends.org/site/SPageServer/?pagename=memorial_gift

Vicki E. Jako, 74, of Jefferson, WI and previously of Palmyra, WI passed away peacefully on December 6, 2023 at her home.

Vicki was born on March 11, 1949 in Watertown, WI the daughter of Ronald and Phoebe (Vick) Nufer. She grew up in the Chenequa area and then moved to Palmyra where she would spend the majority of her life. Vicki graduated from Palmyra High School in 1967. She was blessed with two children, Stephanie and John. Vicki worked in a few different capacities during her working years. She owned and operated Willson’s Sports in Palmyra for a number of years with her first husband Mike Willson. She also worked at True Value in Whitewater and most recently worked for Standard Process in Palmyra. Vicki was strong and did what was necessary to provide for herself and her family. She had a number of physical ailments during her life that she overcame to work and support those around her. Vicki was united in marriage to her current husband, Michael Jako, at their home in 1990 and the two would go on to enjoy over 30 years of marriage together. Vicki loved to work outside in her yard and tend to her gardens. She was also content indoors sewing, crocheting or reading a good book. A talented cook and baker, Vicki made sure to keep those around her well fed. She also had a special connection with animals. In her younger years she enjoyed riding her horse, and she also loved her pet cats dearly. Vicki was a loving wife, mom and grandma and she will be deeply missed by those she leaves behind.

She is survived by: her loving husband, Michael Jako of Jefferson; her children, Stephanie (Craig) Pagenkopf of Sullivan, and John (Teresa) Willson of Las Vegas, NV; her grandchildren, Carter and Caden Pagenkopf and Melanie Willson; and her siblings, Peggy Mickel of Whitewater, Dan (Sharon) Nufer of Monroe, and David (Julie) Nufer of Whitewater. She is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Vicki is preceded in death by her parents.

Memorials in Vicki’s honor may be made to the Jefferson County Humane Society.

Vicki will be laid to rest during a Graveside Service at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, December 11, 2023 at the Hillside Cemetery in Palmyra, WI.

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

Evelyn J. Herron, 96, of Whitewater passed away on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at her home surrounded by family.

At this time, no formal services have been arranged.

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