Obituaries

Alan Joseph Kromholz, age 81, of Sebring, Florida, passed away peacefully at his home on March 19, 2020.

Alan Joseph Kromholz, age 81, of Sebring, Florida, passed away peacefully at his home on March 19, 2020. Al was born on May 15, 1938 in Merrill, Wisconsin to Joseph and Dolores (Close) Kromholz. He is survived by his wife, Ruth; his son Joseph (Marjorie Stoneman) Kromholz, Whitewater, Wisconsin; his son John (Edsel) Kromholz, Sebring, Florida; his grandchildren Morgan (Bryce) Copperfield, Nicole Munoz, David Kromholz and Lucas Kromholz; his sister Diane (Wayne) Bennett; and his brother Steve (Barb) Kromholz. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Joanne.

Alan graduated from Elmhurst College in 1960 with a B.A. in Philosophy. In 1964 he graduated from Eden Theological Seminary with a B.D. and in 1979 was awarded an MDiv. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1966-7, working on advanced graduate studies in Rural Community Development in the School of Agriculture. He was ordained in June 1964 at St. Stephens United Church of Christ, Merrill, WI.

He served the United Church of Christ as a Pastor in Evansville, WI and Watertown, WI. He served as Minister to the Business Community at Frieden’s UCC, Milwaukee, and served as interim pastor at Spring Lake Presbyterian Church, Spring Lake, Florida. His career in the ministry came to a dramatic climax in May 1968 when he was removed from the Congregational UCC in Watertown for being too socially and politically active. His ministry at Watertown was detailed in the 1972 book, “Crisis in Watertown: The Polarization of an American Community.” He continued to be involved in Civil Rights working as a voter registration worker in Mississippi and in the development of open housing in Wisconsin.

Much of his professional life was in the waste industry. He was Director of Sales Development, North America Waste Management, Inc.; V.P. Sales, ARS Waste Management Partners; and V.P. of Sales, North America United Waste. He would simply say proudly that he was a “garbage man.”

Al married the love of his life, Ruth Ann Meyer of Chicago, Illinois in 1960. In 2000 they funded the Meyer-Kromholz Endowed Scholarship which is awarded annually by Elmhurst College. In 2012 they established and funded the Arnold Kromholz Silver ‘M’ Endowed Scholarship at Merrill High School in Wisconsin. They have strongly supported education as they believe education opens the door to success in life.

Al deeply loved his family. He was also passionate about helping others and social justice. He spent hours fishing with his grandchildren, and he will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

In 2016, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Al spoke to students from the Whitewater Middle School and Whitewater High School about his work during the civil rights movement. Here is an excerpt from his speech:

“When you are an eye-witness to history you have a different understanding of the event. You discover that your senses are heightened. You understand in a unique way how the people involved in the event feel. The difficulty of that moment becomes highlighted. You become very focused and the issue of the moment touches you. When I see film clips on TV today of the struggle for racial justice or read about voter registration drives or seeking fair housing for people I feel very deeply what is happening. You see I was an eye witness to the struggle for racial justice and seeking to help register black voters in the South who were being denied their constitutional right to vote…”

He then shared his experiences with the students. As the Middle School Principal at the time said, “He spoke beautifully and brought life to something our students may have never experienced or even seen on the TV.”

His speech ended like this, “Can I leave you with this? I went South because I believed as did my wife that you must be involved in living a life dedicated to justice, to love, and to walking humbly with your fellowman. These were things I learned in school when I was your age. I learned this because teachers like your teachers challenged me to question, to read and search both sides of a question or issue, helped me to understand the danger of propaganda and listening to only one source of information. They not only taught me history but challenged me to understand history. Remember what George Santayana said, ‘If we fail to understand history we are bound to repeat it’.”

Arrangements entrusted to: Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home, 4001 Sebring Parkway, Sebring, FL 33870.

Online condolences may be left at: www.stephensonnelsonfh.com

Jeffrey D. Krebs, 50, Waukesha, passed away at his home on March 16, 2020

Jeffrey D. Krebs, 50, Waukesha, passed away at his home on March 16, 2020.  Jeff was born on December 24, 1969 in Fort Atkinson, WI to Donald E. and Geraldine (Snyder) Krebs.  He is survived by his sisters Nancy Stoughton, Waukesha, WI, Kathy (Russ) Carroll, Milton ,WI, Mary (Ken) Simmons, Milton, WI; brother Gary Krebs, Delavan, WI.

“You dived into the oceans.  You climbed the high mountains.  I know you are still out there.  You finally made it to the stars.  You said you were “awesome”, and that was “precisely” right.  That will always be with us. Now a part of our hearts.  I want to say we love you and miss you little brother.  Until we meet again.  This was sent with warm feelings from your family and friends.

No services will be held at this time.

Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater is assisting the family.

Mary Ellen Pope lost her battle with Multiple Myeloma on Friday, March 13, 2020, at the age of 91, at Agrace Hospice & Palliative Care in Janesville

Mary Ellen Pope, a long-time resident of Whitewater, Wisconsin, lost her battle with Multiple Myeloma on Friday, March 13, 2020, at the age of 91, at Agrace Hospice & Palliative Care in Janesville, Wisconsin. Born to August and Helen (Wellnitz) Frei on March 8, 1929, in Chewelah, Washington, she was the fifth of eight children. When she was a toddler, the family packed up everything they could fit in their 1927 Chevy sedan and traveled back to Wisconsin during the Great Depression. She attended Finch School in La Prairie, a one-room schoolhouse through 8th grade, and even though she was bothered by her lack of a high school diploma; it never stopped her from going for something she set her heart on achieving. While working on the family farm with her parents and siblings, she learned a strong work ethic, which showed when she was named the Chicken Plucking Champion at the Rock County Fair as a teenager. Mary Ellen was a fun-loving girl who loved to dance and it was at a barn dance she met Charles Donald Pope and fell for him and his motorcycle. In 1950 they married in Janesville at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and in 1965 they moved their family to Whitewater. Each time Mary Ellen had one of their nine children, she was back in the barn, with the baby in a stroller, helping milk cows and finish chores. After Donald’s death in 1967, Mary Ellen ignored popular opinion about a woman in business and continued to run the farming operation with her sons. In 1971, Mary Ellen married Robert James McCulloch at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and in 1972 they had a daughter, Yvonne. Even though the marriage ended in divorce, they remained great friends until his passing in 1985. Mary Ellen was a very active member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Whitewater and through the 55 years she attended she served as a Parish Council Member, Parish Trustee, Acolyte, and on the Christian Women’s Altar Society. One thing was always clear that St Patrick was a second home to Mary Ellen.

Mary Ellen will be missed by her children: Charles (Linda), Michael (Karen), Kevin (Nancy), Virgil (Sandra),Craig (Cathleen), Anne (Brian) Morgan, Serena (Lance) Elliott, Donald (Sally) and Yvonne (Scott) Fanshaw; daughters in law: Betty, Kathy, and Lisa; as well as her grandchildren: Carrie (Jason) Mathison, Christopher (Jill) Pope, Nathan (Carrie) Pope, Abigail Zinzow, Charles J.(Liz) Pope, Michael A. Pope, Olivia (Chris) Hale, August Pope, Ryan Pope, Anson (Sara) Pope, Wade (Shalanna) Pope, Shane (Rebecca) Pope, Angie Pope, Rebecca (Paul) Morris, Sarah Pope, Virgil S.(Marissa) Pope, Elyssa Pope, Emma Pope, Audrey Pope, Jonathan Pope, Helena Pope, Ashlee (Jacob) Prochnow, Torrin (Angela) Thatcher, Madeleine (Craig) Spangler, Carli Pope, Peyton Pope, Savannah Pope, Gabriel Pope, Jenna Pope, Kenley Pope, Grace Fanshaw, and Sophia Fanshaw; 24 great grandchildren; her sister, Linae Frei; sisters in law: Agnes Frei, Shirley Thompson, and Darlene Pozin; plus many beloved nieces and nephews and close friends. She will be greeted in heaven by her sons, Mark and Paul; son in law, Thomas K. Thatcher; daughter in law, Sonja Isaacsen; grandchildren-in-law, Jason Zinzow and Teresa Pope; her parents; and siblings: Cecelia Sowles, Joseph Frei, Leo Frei, Marguerite Frei, Cletus Frei, and Patricia Clark.

Through all the hard times and tragedies in her life, Mary Ellen’s faith in God and Jesus sustained her and held her up. Her strength is an inspiration to everyone who knew her and she will be greatly missed.
Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic a private burial will be held at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery. A Mass of Christian Burial and a Celebration of Life will be held at later date. SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY is assisting the family with arrangements. Donations in Mary Ellen’s name can be made to the UW Carbone Cancer Center and Agrace Hospice & Palliative Care, Janesville. For online condolences and guestbook, please visit: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com

The family would like to thank Dr. Natalie Callender, Michelle Lackner, and the team for Multiple Myeloma at the UW Carbone Cancer Center for giving us two years longer with Mom. A grateful thank you to Agrace Hospice and Palliative Care in Janesville for their caring and kindness through the loss of mom and helping her make a dignified passing to Heaven.

Doris Strehlow of Omro (formerly of LaGrange) passed away March 3, 2020

Doris Strehlow of Omro passed away March 3, 2020.

Doris (Klitzkie) Strehlow, was born November 8, 1924, to Harry and Inez (Piper) Klitzkie in Greeley, CO. The family moved to La Grange, WI where she resided until graduating Whitewater Teacher’s College in 1946. She moved to Winneconne to begin her teaching career.

Doris met her “husband to be,” Lewis “Red” Strehlow while learning to fly at Omro Ginnow Airport. Because she was a business teacher and recognized Red’s office needed “help” she traded her talents for flight lessons! She took her solo flight test in December of 1945.

Doris and Red were married on June 7, 1947. They made their home in Omro, working and raising their four children, JoAnn, Germantown; Greg, St. Paul, MN; Mark (Cindy Frohrib), Omro; Kent (Judy Gaffney), Oshkosh.

In the years following Doris and Red were instrumental in organizing the Fox Skimmer Ski Club. They traveled by motor coach to ski tournaments supporting their “skiing children!”

Doris was an avid Green Bay Packer fan having attended many games. She was very proud of the UW-Whitewater sport teams; she would follow players as they advanced into pro teams and watch whenever possible.

Doris believed 4-H was important so in 1963 she organized the “Foxy Foxetts” with Mrs. MaryJane Hoger.

This was a busy time for Doris and Red, raising kids, keeping house, working in the insurance office. Traveling with the Ski Club, 4-H, being a charter member of the Omro Women Service League in 1959. She was recently recognized for 60 years of service. She was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Omro, serving in many ways.

Doris is well known for her hickory nut pies, they usually sold before they arrived at the sale!

She began teaching at Omro High School in 1967. Many students were taught typing, and later keyboarding. Doris retired in 1994.

After retiring she remained active in Omro activities, Omro Scholarship Committee, selling concessions at sport games, holding offices on the Winnebago County Retired Teachers. She organized bus trips for Nationwide tours. She volunteered and served on the board of the Omro Thrift Store, (that she helped get started), and recently volunteered at the Omro Food Pantry.

Doris was preceded in death by an infant son, Brian; her husband, Red; and her feline friend, Fritz.

She is survived by her children, her current feline friend Fluffy, other relatives, and many friends.

A visitation for family and friends will be on Monday, March 9, 2020, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church 955 N. Webster Ave. Omro. A funeral service will be held on Monday at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Rev. Travis Shafer officiating. Burial will follow in the Omro Cemetery.

The family would like to recognize and thank Kelly Hess and Kris Forester for their kind and compassionate care and help with their Mom.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Strehlow Family Scholarship Fund, (for Omro students). In care of Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, 230 Ohio St. Oshkosh, WI 54902.

If you wish please submit online condolences to muellerfh.net.

Mueller Funeral Home

Winneconne, WI

920-582-4242

Harriet (Neuens) Flood, a longtime resident of Whitewater, passed away on March 7, 2020.

Harriet (Neuens) Flood, a longtime resident of Whitewater, WI, passed away on March 7, 2020. Harriet was born in Fredonia, WI on June 11, 1925. She was the first child of William and Loretta Neuens. On June 16, 1951 she married James J Flood, whom she met on St Patrick’s Day.

Harriet was a Business Education teacher at Fort Atkinson High School, retiring in 1987. In addition to a teaching career that spanned 30 years, she spearheaded a work study program for her students in the Fort Atkinson business community and mentored 50 student teachers in a collaborative program through UW-Whitewater. She held a Master’s in Education from UW- Whitewater (1970) and a Bachelor of Science Education from UW Whitewater (1947). Harriet also studied at Carroll College in Waukesha, WI.

She was a member of St. Patrick Church serving in past leadership roles on the parish council, Endowment Fund and The Altar Society. Harriet also enjoyed association with the Emerson Club, Tri Sigma Sorority, Wisconsin Retired Educators, and was a generous contributor and volunteer for many charitable efforts. Harriet was a seasoned traveler, avid reader, and a computer, bridge, and cooking enthusiast.

Harriet is survived by her four children, Tom Flood of Whitewater, Barbara Golemgeske of Madison, Mary (Ralph) Haggerty of Dublin, Ohio, Tim (Nancy) Flood of Milwaukee. She is further survived by four grandchildren, Chris Flood, Patrick Flood, Erin (Kyle) Quada, Bridget Haggerty, and two Great-Granddaughters, Eleanor Lane and Emerson Louise Quada, her sister Marion Walbrun, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband James, her sister Phyllis Neuens Schmitt, her son-in-law Michael Golemgeske, her daughter-in-law Diane Flood, her brothers-in-law Gerald Walbrun, Jake Schmitt, Robert Flood, Neil Flood, Gerald Flood, Robert Winnie and sisters-in-law Jeanne Flood and Mary Jane Winnie.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 13, 2020 at Saint Patrick Catholic Church, 1225 Main St Whitewater, WI. Visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian burial to follow.

She was an extraordinary wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, educator, mentor, and friend. We will be forever grateful for love shared and lessons learned.

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Barbara Lewis of Chaska, MN passed away on February 22, 2020 at the age of 74.

Barbara Lewis of Chaska, MN, passed away on February 22, 2020 at the age of 74. Barbara was born to parents, William and Beverly (McCulloch) Kyle of Whitewater, WI on July 24, 1945 in Edgerton, WI.  

Barbara had a passion for reading and a soft spot for children’s literature.  For many years, she worked at Jonathan Elementary School in Chaska as a Media Specialist.  Barbara was a creative person and enjoyed the arts. She was a loving and dedicated mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.

Barbara will be remembered forever by her son, Kyle (Mary) Lewis; daughter, Dianne (Steve Olson) Lewis; grandchildren, Sandra (Andre) Jacques, Dakota Blatterman, Kent Poirier, Cameron Lewis, Sonja and Erik Olson; siblings, Marge Watson, Mary Ormson, Richard Kyle, David Kyle, Dean Kyle, William Kyle, Howard Kyle; other loving relatives and friends. 

Barbara is greeted in Heaven by her parents and her sister, Helen Kyle. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be distributed by Barbara’s family to her favorite charities.

No memorial service will be held.  A private family interment will be held this spring in Whitewater, WI.  



Janice Anne Fox (Durow) of Port Edwards passed away suddenly on February 27, 2020.

It is with deep sorrow that we share our loss. Janice Anne Fox (Durow) of Port Edwards, passed away suddenly on February 27, 2020. Janice was born to Ronnie and Catherine Durow on August 1, 1944 and grew up in the small town of Astico, Wisconsin. Janice attended the Columbia County Teachers College. She married James Fox on September 5, 1963. Janice and Jim moved to Port Edwards in 1969.

Janice is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Jim, her son, Ron Fox, her daughter Dr. Robin Fox (Kim Simes), her grandsons, Alex, Benn (Hannah), Brady, Chase and Brett Fox and her granddaughters, Brennan and Sanibel Fox-Simes. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Joan (Robert) Bleich and her brother-in-law John (Diana) Fox. Janice is also survived by other family members, nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her mother in-law and father in-law (Harley and Celia Fox), her sisters and their husbands, Mary (Jerry) Schave and Suzanne (Tom) Evans and her brother and his wife, David (Rosemarie) Durow and her niece, Deborah Durow.

Janice was a gifted seamstress – making her children’s clothes when they were little, making beautiful quilts, making ornaments that were on display on the Christmas tree at the White House and for years made a wedding album for every wedding she attended. In our sadness, we like to think about all of the people who have been gifted with a “made especially for you by Janice Fox” album. She loved reading, planting and taking care of her beautiful garden, crafting, crossword puzzles, watching Jeopardy with Jim (and knowing most of the answers) and spending time with her family. She was active in Wood County HCE and volunteered many hours at Edgewater Nursing Home.

As our mum, she never missed a game, a recital, a graduation or concert. Ron and Robin have lost their biggest supporter. Her grandchildren have lost an amazing person in their lives. We will all cherish the hundreds of handwritten cards and notes she has sent us over the years. Jim has lost the love of his life and his Jeopardy rival.

Janice made a wonderful life with and for her family. She was our greatest teacher, a calming presence and perhaps the most well-read person we knew. If you were lucky enough to meet her – when you were with her, she made you feel like the most important person in the world. She taught us “to look at everything twice” and to leave the world a better place than how we found it.

We are honoring Janice’s wishes and had a small, private burial. We will have a celebration of her life in late spring. If individuals would like to honor Janice’s life and kindness, please send donations to Opportunity Development Center. This organization was near and dear to Janice because of their amazing local work in the community. The address is: ODC, 1191 Huntington Ave, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494

We love you Janice, Mum, Grandma, Jammie.

C. Keith Gustafson, 50, died unexpectedly on Monday, February 24, 2020 at his home in Whitewater.

C. Keith Gustafson, 50; died unexpectedly on Monday, February 24, 2020 at his home in Whitewater, WI. He was born on January 6, 1970 in Elkhorn, WI the son of Carl Gustafson and the late Twyla Joye (Agan) Gustafson. Keith was a 1988 graduate of Elkhorn Area High School. For over 15 years he was employed with Trostel Manufacturing of Whitewater, WI and was currently employed with MacLean-Fogg Manufacturing of Whitewater, WI. Keith loved the outdoors, enjoyed hiking, bicycling, and camping and was an avid Scrabble player.

Keith is survived by his father Carl (Jan) Gustafson of Elkhorn, WI, his sister Karan Buss-Gustafson of Madison, WI and his niece Karlynn Buss of Madison, WI. He was preceded in death by his grandparents and his mother Twyla.

Private family services were held. Online register book is at www.haaselockwoodfhs.com. Arrangements completed by Haase-Lockwood and Associates Funeral Home & Crematory in Elkhorn, WI.

Dr. Aeilt E. Sents, age 98, of Washington, Iowa died Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020 at the Washington County Hospital

Dr. Aeilt E. Sents, age 98, of Washington, Iowa, died Tuesday, February 18, 2020, at the Washington County Hospital.

Celebration of life services will be held 2:30 p.m. Saturday, February 22, 2020, at the main dining room of the United Presbyterian Home with services conducted by Chaplain Andrew Zuehlke. Interment will take place at a later date. Memorials have been established for Louisa County Pheasants Forever or the Wheaton College Aeilt E. and Adeline Sents Endowed Scholarship Fund. The Jones & Eden Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent for Aeilt’s family through the web at www.jonesfh.com

Aeilt E. Sents, son of Eilerd A. and Anna (Conrad) Sents, was born June 22, 1921, at the family home in rural Grundy County, Iowa.

His elementary education was completed in a one room country school. His high school education was completed in the Aplington High School after which he attended Chillicothe Business College. From there he accepted a position with the Atchison and Topeka Railroad in Chanute, Kansas. After several years he enrolled in Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. Aeilt’s college education was interrupted when he enlisted in the Army Reserve Corp, unassigned. When called to active duty he failed to meet the physical requirement and was given an honorable discharge. After receiving his military discharge, he resumed his college education and received a Liberal Arts Degree, at Wheaton College with a major in history. He continued his education by enrolling in graduate school at the University of Iowa and completed the work for a Master’s Degree in History.

Aeilt began his teaching career in the Junior College and High School in Red Oak, Iowa. After two years, he accepted a position in the Senior High School in Rock Island, Illinois. Four years later he was offered a position in the History Department at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He continued his graduate studies attending summer schools at the University of Iowa and Harvard University. Upon receiving a Study Grant from the state of Wisconsin, he enrolled at the University of Missouri and completed the work and received the degree, Doctor of Philosophy in History.

He enjoyed the classroom and students and after thirty years retired from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Department of History as Emeritus Professor. While in the classroom he was a member of several historical organizations. After he retired he retained his membership in the organization “Conference of Faith and History” of which he was a founding member.

On August 3, 1954, he was married to Adeline E. Humphreys in Iowa City. Their union was blessed with a daughter, Eleanor, and a son, Steven. After leaving Rock Island in 1956, they moved to Whitewater where they lived for the next fifty years until they moved to the United Presbyterian Home in Washington, Iowa. While living in Whitewater, he was a member of the United Methodist Church. To help the church in its Sesquicentennial Celebration he wrote a two volume History of the Methodist Church in Whitewater. As a member of the church he served on various committees and boards. He was a founding member of the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club and wrote a history of the first twenty-five years of the organization.

Aeilt loved and enjoyed classical music and opera. During the New York Metropolitan season, his Saturday afternoons were frequently spent reading and listening to the Metropolitan productions.

He enjoyed local and foreign travel. In 1958 Aeilt assisted in conducting a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater fifty-five day tour around the world. In retirement, he and Adeline enjoyed Elderhostel tours, two to China, to Russia, European countries and domestic cities and places of interest. They also attended a three week study tour of Israel. For more than twenty years, their retirement winters were spent on the Gulf of Mexico, in Gulf Shores, Alabama. No summer was complete without the family spending a week fishing on a northern Minnesota Lake. In the past twenty or more years these excursions were reduced to two people, Aeilt and his favored fishing and hunting partner, son Steven. Each summer they spent a week fishing in Canadian waters, catching and releasing the elusive muskies. During the last months of the year, several days each month were spent hunting Iowa pheasants.

Aeilt is survived by the strength and love of his life, his wife, Adeline; the joy and blessings for all of their lives, daughter, Eleanor and son, Steven. This blessing was extended with addition of son-in-law, Bruce and daughter-in-law, Melissa and five grandchildren and two great granddaughters. Each of the family was special and his prayer for each was that they would find meaning, purpose, direction and fulfillment in life, loving God and obeying His commandments.

Sandra Marie Hood, 79, Whitewater passed away on Sunday, February 16, 2020 at Mercy Hospital in Janesville

Sandra Marie Hood, 79, Whitewater passed away on Sunday, February 16, 2020 at Mercy Hospital in Janesville, WI.

Sandra was born on May 16, 1940 in Chicago, IL to Frank and Edna (Vickrey) Coleman. She married John Hood on October 10, 1958. Sandra had artistic talent and enjoyed making crafts and selling them at craft shows.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years John of Whitewater; children Suzanne (Jack) Watrous, Albuquerque, NM, John (Tanya) Hood, Pittsville, WI, Johnna (Terry) DePorter, Delavan, WI, Allyson (Shaun) Cummings, Reedsburg, WI; 8 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; sister Joyce (George) Meyer, Arizona. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, James Coleman.

No services will be held at this time.

Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater is assisting the family, www.nitardyfuneralhome.com