Life Events

Maurice Kalb, age 91, was born to Ernest and Margaret (Piper) Kalb in Sharon, Wisconsin. He grew up with his three brothers on a farm that was lost during the depression due to financial and growing conditions, but due to the parents’ persistence with an 8-year legal battle, won the ownership of their farm back in a case held in the federal supreme court. Maurice left his small farming community to attend Carthage College in Carthage, Ill. During that time his plans were interrupted when drafted into the army to serve during the Korean Conflict, stationed in northern Japan. He always said he learned to deal with fear of things he could not control from this experience. After returning to Carthage to finish his degree he fell in love with Yvonne Spinhirne whom he later married and shared times raising their children, attending Faith United Methodist Church, and producing a large vegetable garden. They enjoyed traveling and saw family and much of Wisconsin and the United States. Following college, he became a high school science teacher and finished a master’s degree at UW Madison. He moved to Milton, Wisconsin to teach at Milton Union High School and then took a job he enjoyed for 33 years at UW Whitewater as an Assistant Professor teaching undergraduate biology. He furthered his education at Ohio University. He enjoyed quizzing people on their basic knowledge of biology with the intent to share his understanding of the importance of scientific thought describing and defining the miracle of life. His family describe him as resourceful, environmentally conscious, and loyal.

He is remembered by his children, Dawn (Eric) Blankenheim, Scott (Jane) Kalb, his brother Ernest (Virginia) Kalb. His 7 grandchildren: Audrey (Joel) Gilfillan, Quinn (Sarah Burns) Blankenheim, Sophie Blankenheim, Brittney Grosskopf (Trevor Carr), Samantha (Johnny) Boschma, Ashley (Brett) Fuller, and Christopher Kalb. He has 3 great grandchildren: Carson Pohlman, and Wyatt and Maelynn Fuller. He is preceded in death by his wife D. Yvonne (Spinhirne) Kalb, his brothers Paul and Richard Kalb and parents. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday December 26, 2022 at the Albrecht Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Milton with Pastor Jonathan Kim officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home.  Burial to follow at the Milton Junction Cemetery with Military Honors. The Albrecht Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Milton is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Michael J. Krebs Sr., 80, of Fort Atkinson, passed away Saturday, December 10, 2022 surrounded by his family.

Mike was born on June 4, 1942 in Whitewater, son of the late William and Ella (Luebke) Krebs Sr. On June 27, 1959 he married the love of his life, LaVern Raddatz at Bethany Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson.

Mike was a wonderful person who had a great work ethic and was a perfectionist. He was also very generous and loved to hunt and ride motorcycles and always put his family first.

Mike is survived by his wife, LaVern Krebs of Fort Atkinson; children Terri (James) Morois, Michael (Judi) Krebs Jr. and Cheryl (Jeffrey) Marquart all of Fort Atkinson; grandchildren, Tareva (T.J.) Avitt, Kelsey Krebs, Ryan Krebs, Kati Morois, Austin Marquart and Taylor Marquart; great-grandchildren, Preslee (Kole) Marshall, Ashley Morris, Malachi Morris, Justice Avitt, Chaz Avitt, Emmett Gabrielse, Penelope Gabrielse and Brekan Avitt; great-great-grandchildren, Zoey and Ryker Marshall; one brother, many sisters, nieces and nephews. Mike was also preceded in death by his son, Larry Krebs.

Per Mike’s wishes, a private memorial service will be held.

Memorials may be made in Mike’s memory to Bethany Lutheran Church, Rainbow Hospice or UW Carbone Cancer Center.

Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson is assisting the family.

www.DunlapMemorialHome.com

On Saturday, December 3rd, 2022, Thomas Robert Guequierre, loving husband and father of two passed away at the age of 71. Tom grew up in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, then lived for many years in Whitewater, Wisconsin, before moving to Florida.

Tom’s entire life was dedicated to two things: family, and serving the community. Tom met the love of his life, Sherry, when they were in junior high. They married at the ages of 20 and 18 respectively and had a long and happy marriage. Tom was a devoted father and grandfather, and found great joy in spending time with his family. Tom was a talented and dedicated police officer serving the Whitewater, Wisconsin Police Department from 1973 – 2001, with his final rank being Lieutenant (second in command of the department). Tom was a strong mentor to other officers. He nearly gave his life in the line of duty in 1978. Tom was recognized with many honors, including, the Officer of the Year Award, Whitewater City Council Outstanding Citizen Award, and the American Legion Meritorious Service Award. He served as the President of both the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Executive Development Association and the Whitewater Professional Police Association, and graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Tom also served on the board of directors for both Fairhaven Senior Services and Habitat for Humanity of Walworth County. Tom continued his dedication to the community after retirement, serving on several boards in the community in which he lived, and financially supported several near and dear charities.

Tom is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sherry (Merrill) Guequierre, children Michelle (Jason) Platzer, and Paul Guequierre, grandson Aiden Platzer, and brothers John (Polly) and Jim (Brian). Tom is preceded in death by his granddaughter Grace Louise Platzer, his parents Louise, “Dewey” (Fenske) Guequierre Roll and Gerald Guequierre, his sister Laura Lee, and step-father Paul Roll.

Tom will be remembered at a private funeral service in December to be followed by a larger celebration of life to be planned in the coming months.

Memorials can be sent to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Tom’s honor. Memories may be shared at this link.

Nancy L. Nelson age 86, of Milton, WI passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. She was born on November 8, 1936, to J. Charles and Signe (Nordeng) Jones in Janesville, Wisconsin. Nancy graduated from Janesville High School, attended UW-Madison, and finished her education in Radiologic Technology at Rockford Memorial Hospital. She then married Thurlow Nelson on July 23, 1960. After pursuing her career as an X-Ray Tech, she moved on to focus all her time to family, raising their two children Julie and Charles (Chuck). Nancy then went to work at Jones Dairy Farm, where she retired after 25 years of service.

Nancy loved music and could play a variety of instruments, but her real passion was loving and caring for people. You would always find her in the kitchen fixing something for family and friends. Her kitchen was open anytime day or night.

Nancy (Ama) loved being a part of her grandsons’ lives whether it was attending their sporting events, having them stop by for a delicious meal or just a simple text or phone call. Ama’s boys were her pride and joy. She also loved her Norwegian heritage and enjoyed making and eating her favorite foods like Lefsa and Rosettes. Her faith and love for God was also an important part of her life.

Nancy is survived by her loving husband Thurlow, children, Julie (Randy) Salem, and Charles (Connie) Nelson, grandchildren Christopher and Brady Nelson, and Zachary Salem, brother Donald (Kathy) Jones and special nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Nancy and her family have a great appreciation and love for all the incredibly special caregivers, wonderful friends and extended family who helped her and were a big part of her life.

Visitation time will be from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2022, at the Albrecht Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Milton. The Albrecht Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Milton is assisting the family with arrangements.

Herbert G. Ableman, 85, Weston, WI, died December 1, 2022, at Primrose Memory Care, Weston, with his daughters by his side. Herb was born on March 23, 1937, in Monroe, WI, to Ted and Ruth (Johnson) Ableman. He grew up in Monroe, playing basketball and graduating from Monroe High School and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he earned a degree in Business Administration. On June 24, 1961, he married Barbara Phelps, and employment with Wausau Insurance Company as a Certified Public Accountant brought the couple to the Wausau area where they raised their family. Herb was involved with many local organizations where he often volunteered as treasurer and was also an active member of First Presbyterian Church. He was known both for his sense of humor and acts of service to those he loved.

Loved ones surviving include his three children; son, Mark of Boston, MA; daughters, Jill (Jason) Johnson of St. Paul, MN, and Laura (William) Litzer of Rothschild, WI; granddaughters, Kayleigh Oestreicher of Minneapolis, MN and Piper and Zoe Johnson of St. Paul, MN; and his sister, Darlene Nuckles, Monroe; as well as many other dear friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Ruth; wife, Barbara; brother and sister-in-law Dean and Bev Ableman; sister and brother-in-law, Wanda and Archie Myers; brother, Robert Ableman; brother-in-law, Leonard Nuckles; and nephew James Nuckles.

Herb’s children would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Primrose Memory Care in Weston for the excellent care he received from them.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials are suggested in Herbert’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association of Wisconsin (alz.org/wi) or First Presbyterian Church, Wausau.

Brainard Funeral Home-Weston Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements

Lois A. Coleman of Hawk Springs, WY, formerly of Whitewater, WI, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI at the age of 87.

She was born on March 7, 1935 in Madison, WI, the daughter of the late Edwin C. and Ruth H. (Pahl) Kunze. She and her sister were raised on the west side of Madison in a Bauhaus-style home that was designed by her father. She attended Crestwood Elementary and Madison West High School. Lois earned her B.A. in English from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Lois held many varied positions throughout her life. She was administrative secretary to the Wisconsin Legislative Council in Madison. Later, she worked as a corresponding journalist covering local news and was also employed by State Long Distance Telephone Company in Elkhorn. She subsequently served in the Walworth County District Attorney’s office, where she was instrumental in starting a program for children whose parents were prosecuted for crimes. Finally, she was a Labor Relations Specialist for the U.S. Post Office in Milwaukee. She was an active member of Our Savior Lutheran Church of Torrington, WY and First English Lutheran Church of Whitewater, WI.

Lois was very active, loved the outdoors, and hiked in the woods in all seasons. She enjoyed many family vacations to destinations in the U.S. and Europe. Each year she looked forward to a large Christmas celebration in her home. Lois loved her family and was grateful to God for the opportunity to have had a long life.

Lois will be sadly missed by her husband Charles and five children: Steven Coleman; Michael (Kathleen) Coleman; Scott (Regina) Coleman; Kristi (Edward) Coleman; Casey (Melissa) Coleman; many grandchildren and a great-grandchild. She is further survived by her sister Betty Stacy, and other relatives and close friends. Lois was preceded in death by her son Carson Coleman.

Visitation will be held 1:00-2:00 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 8, 2022 at the First English Lutheran Church, 401 W. Main Street, Whitewater, WI with Pastor Joseph O’Donnell officiating and Pastor Jerald Wendt assisting. Burial will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Tibbets, WI.

Memorials may be made in Lois’s name to: Hawk Springs Community Building Assoc., Treasurer Wendy Blackos, 5947 Road 32, Hawk Springs, WY 82217. Arrangements completed by Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Homes & Crematory of Elkhorn, WI.

Rollin Benjamin Cooper, 92, Whitewater, passed away on November 24, 2022, at Shorehaven nursing home in Oconomowoc, WI.

Rollie was born on October 30, 1930, in Edgerton, Wisconsin to Maurice and Iva (Evans) Cooper.  After attending a one room school in Newville, he started high school in Edgerton and then graduated from Milton High in 1948.  Rollie received a BS degree in agriculture (animal science), 1952, an MBA in Marketing, 1956, a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics and PhD in Resource Economics, 1968, all from UW-Madison.  As a Badger, he rowed on the crew team, including victory as 1951 National Champions.

An ROTC graduate, he served in the Army (Korea) from 1952-1954.  In October 2021, he visited memorials in Washington, DC on an Honor Flight with his son Bill.

On August 12, 1961, Rollie married Nancy Hallock in Agawam, Massachusetts.  They met in a church choir and continued to love music, singing with the Milton Choral Union, the Whitewater Singers, and the University/Community Chorus and church choirs. Barn parties often featured music and polka dancing.

Rollie and Nancy also shared a love of sports, following the Whippets, Warhawks, Badgers, Packers and especially, any event with a competing or performing child or grandchild.  They received the honor of Grandma and Grandpa Whippet. After years as active members of Quarterback and Tip-off Clubs, they entered the UW-W Athletics hall of fame in 2011 (Distinguished Service Award).

Before becoming an educator, Rollie worked for Oscar Mayer and also sold Fuller Brushes door to door.  He served on the faculties of Milton College (1962-64) and UW-Whitewater (1964-70) both in the Economics Department.  In 1970 he joined UW-Madison Extension in the Recreation Resources Center, specializing in work with the Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners and becoming Center director in 1986. He gained a national reputation for this work with campgrounds and his book, Campground Management, first published in 1992, is still being sold today.  Rollie retired in 1991.

Even before retiring, Rollie enjoyed farming and his horses. As a certified organic farmer, he sold produce from many venues, including a self-built stand in his front lawn and a local Saturday Farmers’ Market (that he co-founded).  He often used horse drawn equipment.  Images of this work made it into Mischka’s famous horse calendars.  

Rollie passionately believed in conservation and organic foods, maintaining annual organic certification.  During the height of his farming, he grew everything and especially loved his tomatoes, popcorn, and sweetcorn.  He frequently donated produce to the Food Pantry and Community Space.

Countless other community service projects benefited from Rollie’s energy. He strived for world peace and climate action and was active on church committees.  He walked and led as chair of Relay for Life and served on boards of the Food Pantry and the Homeless Shelter.  He relentlessly raised funds for Kiwanis projects, selling poinsettias and Easter lilies, receiving the Hixson Award and twice Kiwanian of the Year.  Recently, he tirelessly fundraised for the adaptive merry-go-round in Starin Park.

Rollie is survived by wife, Nancy, and their 4 children: Ben (Karla Hebert) of Munising, MI;  Tim (Pam Wilson) of Green Bay; Bill (Lisa Borzynski) of Eagle; and Amy (former spouse, Greg) Schumacher of Anchorage, AK.  Also surviving are 12 grandchildren:  Nicole (Jon) Pacl, Sharon (Brandon) Hollingshead, Andy (fiancé Hannah Zink) and Rachel Cooper; Matthew (Samantha), Erin, Audrey, and Emma Cooper; Quinn Cooper; and Gus, Rudy, and Heidi Schumacher.  In addition, 4 great-grandchildren survive: Ellison Pacl and Brooke, Ben, and Aubree Hollingshead.  Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and cousins as well as brothers in law Peter (Jill) Hallock, Andy Hallock, and John (Chris) Hallock. Rollie was preceded in death by his parents, sisters RoseMarie (Doug) Burdick and Lucille (Speed) Bartz, brother Allen (Maxine) Cooper, and sisters in law Carol and Jan Hallock.

The family would like to thank all the wonderful staff at Mercy Hospital in Janesville, Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital, ProHealth Rehab facility in Waukesha, Marquardt Home Health and Shorehaven for their exceptional care of Rollie over the past few months.  Special thanks go to the DaVita dialysis center in Janesville, Dr. Elangovan and nurse Michelle Orethun, and son, Dr. Bill Cooper, who coordinated Rollie’s health care over the past 3 years with love and grace.  Finally, thanks to countless friends, especially John and April Borsodi who have taken over running the farm and caring for Rollie’s special horse, Jim.

Visitation will take place on Friday, December 16, 2022, at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St., Whitewater, WI 53190 from 4-7 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the United Church of Christ, 133 S. Franklin St., Whitewater, WI 53190 with Pastors Michael Obinger and Duane Goetsch of the Community of Christ the Servant Church officiating. Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Following the service, please join us at Willow Brook Golf Course for a celebration of Rollie’s life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested for the UWW Foundation– Athletics or the Breakfast Kiwanis Children’s Fund.  (Checks to Whitewater Kiwanis Foundation Inc., sent to First Citizens State Bank, Whitewater). Online Condolences may be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Albert Benedict, 79, passed away Saturday, November 26, 2022 with his wife and children by his side. Albert was born in Racine, WI on August 21, 1943, the son of Albert and Mary (Knotek) Benedict. On July 8, 1967, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Donna Benedict.

Surviving are his three children Michelle M. Baugrud, Albert Benedict III (Beth), and Melissa J. Friedlander (Gabriel); four grandchildren, Ella and Evan Baugrud, Simon Benedict, and Niomi Friedlander; siblings Elizabeth Bode, Nancy Spencer, Jacqueline Pocaro, Mary Lou Hestevan, Ron Benedict; and nieces, nephews, numerous in-laws and dear friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by son in law Joel Baugrud, brother in laws Phil Spencer, Al Bode, and Bob Kloski.

Albert’s love for building and creating began while working for his Dad as a pattern maker at Industrial Pattern and Model Works where he earned his Journeyman Card. Albert took that love and applied it to the fine arts, earning a BA in Fine Arts (1971) at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a MA at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1990), and an MFA at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1992). Albert taught at South Milwaukee High School for 27 years, retiring in 1998.

In 1987, Albert and Donna relocated from Racine to Whitewater where they enjoyed the last 35 years. Albert built a studio in their home, which is where he spent countless hours creating his art. Albert used brilliant colors and whimsical designs and his artwork has been displayed at galleries and museums across the country. Albert and Donna would spend much of their summers (and cold WI winters) traveling to art shows across the country, combining his love of art and their passion for travel. Loading up the RV and spending months on the road exploring new places and meeting new people. On many occasions their children would join them on these adventures as his family was central to his life and he loved spending time with his children and grandkids.

Services will be held on Friday, December 16, 2022 at Saint Patrick’s Church, 1225 W. Main Street, Whitewater, WI 53190. Open visitation 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. followed by the Funeral Mass and a reception.

Arrangements are by the Burnett-Dane Funeral Home in Libertyville. Info: 847-362-3009 or please share a memory at www.burnettdane.com.