Life Events

Dennis Leland Gowey, 84, Whitewater, passed away peacefully at home October 7, 2022. He was born June 28, 1938 to George Gowey and Anne Schumann. He met Barbara Fraser in 1958 while attending Madison business college for his accounting degree. They married and went on to raise five children.

Dad did a variety of jobs throughout his life, from umpiring baseball games, refereeing volleyball, and driving school bus in addition to his career of tax preparation. His career took him to a few accounting firms, but every tax season he would work for H&R Block. His last few years were spent working at Racine Correctional, where he would joke about being in prison. He always had a dry sense of humor, even when times were tough. He loved to give you tax advice, whether you wanted it or not. He was the man who taught me to laugh at comics (out loud), who would always buy stuffed animals just because, and who would do special things for the people he cherished.

Predeceased by his spouse Barbara, and their children Douglas, Rochelle and Patricia Gowey, he is survived by his children Charles Gowey and Sandra Rasmussen. Burial will be in the family plot at Big Mound Cemetery, Davis Junction, IL.

We would like to thank the staff at St. Croix Hospice for the care they provided him in his last few years.

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

Antonio Villegas Arredondo

Passed on October 5^th 2022, age 74, surrounded by his beloved family.  Survived by his wife Maria Felicitas Villegas, daughter Juanita, son Juan A. (Veronica), daughter Maria (Francisco), son Fernando (Tara), daughter Gabriela (Juan) and beloved grandchildren (18) and great-grandchildren (9).

A visitation will be held on Saturday, October 8^th 2022 from  5 p.m.-7 p.m. with a service to follow from 7 p.m.-8 p.m. at Nitardy Funeral Home 550 N. Newcomb St. Whitewater, WI 53190.

Antonio was a beloved husband, father, brother, and grandfather who would put everyone before himself.  He loved gardening; everything his green thumbs touched grew.  He enjoyed fishing with his grandsons. He loved spending time feeding and loving his family.  He will be truly missed by his family and friends.  He was the best father, brother, and grandpa.

We love you and will miss you Papi Toño, forever in our hearts.

Antonio Villegas Arredondo

Falleció el 5 de Octubre del 2022 a la edad de 74 años, rodeado de su querida familia.

Sobrevivido por su esposa Maria Felicitas Villegas, su hija Juanita, su hijo Juan A. (Veronica), su hija Maria (Francisco), su hijo Fernando (Tara), su hija Gabriela (Juan) y sus queridos 18 nietos y 9 bisnietos.

Visitación será el sábado 8 de Octubre 2022 a las 5pm-7pm y el servicio de 7pm-8pm

Flores se pueden enviar a

 Nitardy

550 North Newcomb

 Whitewater WI 53190

Antonio fue un esposo, padre, hermano y abuelo quien fue amado y dejo una inmensa huella en nuestros corazones. Él fue alguien quien puso a otros antes que él. Él le encantaba la jardinería, disfrutaba pescar con sus nietos. Le encantaba pasar su tiempo alimentando y cuidando a su familia. Antonio va a hacer verdaderamente extrañado por su familia y amigos. Él era el mejor padre, hermano y abuelo.

Te corazones.amamos y te extrañaremos siempre Papi Toño.  Vivirás siempre en nuestros

Edwin Earl Thele of Whitewater, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at Fairhaven on July 29, 2022 with his loved ones at his side. 

Ed was born on March 5, 1928 in Ponca City, Oklahoma, the son of Herman and Margetta Thele. After completing high school, Ed enlisted in the military and served in the US Army during World War II, stationed in Germany. It was there that he met the love of his life, Elizabeth. They were married on September 21, 1948. After completing his military service, Ed returned to Oklahoma, where he earned both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Accounting from Oklahoma State University. 

Ed went on to pursue a career as an Accounting Professor, teaching at universities in Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas before making a permanent move to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. After several years of teaching, Ed’s career path led him to become the Assistant Dean of the School of Business and Economics. 

Over the years, Ed was involved in numerous organizations and community activities. He was a member of the First English Lutheran Church, served as Commander of the VFW and was active in Kiwanis and The American Legion. He was also a member of the Accounting and Management Associations, ROTC representative for UW-Whitewater, Advisor to the Delta Sigma PI Business Fraternity and served Meals on Wheels. 

Ed enjoyed several hobbies in his free time. He was a talented woodcarver and loved to travel (especially cruising). He also liked to garden, read, bake, refurbish clocks and spend time outdoors. 

He is survived by his daughter Cathy (Glen) Strum, his brother Robert Thele, his sisters Emma Oswalt and Margaret (Robert) Romer, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was a great husband, father, brother, uncle and friend and will be dearly missed. 

A memorial service in Ed’s honor will be held on Monday, October 10th at 11:30 a.m. at the First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery following the service. 

…

Donald W. McCready Jr. passed away peacefully at the age of 95 on September 25, 2022 at Heritage Monona assisted living with hospice care from Bristol Hospice.

Born on January 17th, 1927 in Menasha, Wisconsin to Donald Sr. and Henriette McCready.  Shortly after that the family moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan,where his father Don Sr accepted a position as an associate professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Michigan from 1929 – 1966.

Don enlisted in the Army, towards the end of WW2, in the Cavalry division, and was stationed in Germany after the war.

He married Sally Helen Wyman on Aug. 17, 1948, in Ann Arbor. Sally was the love of his life and they met in high school and were together until her death in 2008.

At the University of Michigan, Don received degrees in vision research (a specialty within Experimental Psychology) and got master’s and Doctorate degrees in Psychology as well.

He is one of the leading authorities on the science of the moon illusion and on size, distance, and visual angle perception.  He was a guest on NPR Science Friday.

In 1963 the family moved from Ann Arbor to Park Forest, Ill., when Don accepted a position at the University of Chicago, and in 1965 the family moved to Whitewater when he accepted a position at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater as a psychology professor.  In 1992, Don retired from the UW-W and began to devote more time to painting.

Don is an award winning artist and received art training early and in high school. He painted as often as his full-time teaching and research career allowed. After retiring he spent more and more time painting and taking art classes at UW-Whitewater. 

Don exhibited in regional, juried shows and sometimes earned top awards. His paintings can be found in homes and offices from coast to coast.

He also accepted commissions: In 1985, the Apple Computer Co. had him paint a large portrait of their “new” Apple IIe and Apple IIc, to hang in the main office of the Apple Division. In exchange he received a complete Apple IIe system. And, in 1988, SuperAmerica commissioned a large painting of one of its stores to hang in the foyer of the corporate headquarters near Minneapolis.

Don was preceded in death by his son Matthew George McCready in 2013 and his wife Sally (Wyman) McCready in 2008.

He is survived by his sons Sam McCready of Monona, WI, and his son Ben (Anne) McCready of Georgetown, TX, as well as eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

No memorial services are planned at this time.

Richard Alan “Rick” Hartmann, 68, of Whitewater passed away on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at his home.

Rick was born on August 14, 1954 in Fort Atkinson to Carl and Emmy (Geitner) Hartmann. He graduated from Whitewater High School in 1972, and in 1988 he purchased Rick’s Eastside Pub. On November 7, 1992 he married Ellie Bigelow and together they raised two children.

He enjoyed music, watching all Wisconsin sports, golfing, driving around with Ellie, and shopping for electronics.

Rick is survived by his wife, Ellie; children, Shelli (Roger) Barrett, Buddy (Brandi) Luebke; grandchildren, Levi, Aaron, Justin, Megan, Brandon, Cody, and Lindsey; siblings, Jeff (Gina) Hartmann; Cort (Steph) Hartmann, Todd Hartmann; brothers-and-sisters-in-law, Nancy Bigelow, Susan Stork, Tom Jordens, Tom (Judy) Bigelow and Donna Lewis. He is further survived by his uncle Jerry Hartman, his aunt Gloria Hartmann and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Emmy Hartmann; grandparents, Carl and Alice Hartmann and Herman and Mae Geitner; and mother-and-father-in-law, Clarence and Catherine Bigelow.

A memorial service will take place at 1 p.m. on Monday, October 3, 2022 at First English Lutheran Church. A visitation will take place from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. In Rick fashion, casual attire would be appropriate for the visitation and service.

There will be a gathering at Rick’s East Side Pub immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Rick’s name to Whitewater Music Parent Association (WMPA) c/o Mike Dugan, 254 N. Park St., Whitewater WI. 53190 or the Whitewater Food Pantry, P.O. Box 63, Whitewater, WI. 53190

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

Jeannie C. Patrick, 84, of Fort Atkinson, passed away on Friday, September 23rd, 2022 at her
home after a lingering illness.

Jeannie was born on November 21st, 1937, in the city of Janesville, to James and Elinor (Perry)
Larson.

Jeannie worked 40 years as a CNA at Countryside/Alden until the age of 70. After retirement
she continued to work in the home health field for a few years. She was very dedicated to
caring for others.

Jeannie loved the Milwaukee Brewers, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Green Bay Packers. She
enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Jeannie is survived by her son, Gregg (Kim) Patrick of Mountain, WI; Sheri (Steven) Brandt of
Utah; Jeff (Debbie) Patrick of Fort Atkinson, WI and Mike Patrick of Fort Atkinson, WI;
grandchildren, Jamie (Matt) Strasburg of Jefferson, WI; Jenny (Shaun) McKelvey of Whitewater,
WI; Jody (Osiri) Ogando of Fort Atkinson, WI; Tim (Shannon Race) Patrick of Janesville, WI;
Connor Patrick of Fort Atkinson, WI; Stephanie Patrick of Mukwonago, WI and Aaron Patrick of
Georgia; Sister Joanne Bruch of Whitewater, WI; Seven great grandchildren; many nieces and a
nephew and many dear and close friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, James and Elinor Larson, and brother, James Larson.

A visitation will take place at 10:00 a.m. to noon on Monday, October 3rd, 2022 at the Nitardy
Funeral Home, 1008 Madison Ave., Fort Atkinson, WI. A memorial service will follow at noon at
Nitardy.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff of Rainbow Hospice for their
exceptional care.

Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Craig A. Garbisch, 62, of Fort Atkinson, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday,
September 22, 2022.  He was born in Watertown, WI, on June 3, 1960, son of the late
Eugene A. Garbisch and Ruth M. Garbisch (Lueder).

Craig had many struggles and hardships in his short life, but he always had a positive
outlook and he never wavered in his faith.  He was an active member of Bethany
Lutheran Church.  Craig worked many jobs, probably most notably Bienfang’s Bar.  Prior
to his car accident and cancer diagnosis, he was employed at the University of
Wisconsin-Whitewater.  Volunteering and service to others was his focus after his
disability didn’t allow him to work.  He volunteered at St. Vincent’s and the Senior
Center.  He cherished his time spent with family and friends.  He was always thinking of
ways to make someone else’s day brighter. 

Craig is survived by his siblings, Julie (Jim) Laferriere, Tami (Roy) Magsamen and Todd
(Cathy) Lueder; 4 nieces and 1 great niece.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 3, 2022 at Bethany Lutheran
Church in Fort Atkinson.  Visitation will be from 10 a.m. at the church until time of
service.  Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.  A luncheon will follow at the church.

Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson is assisting the family.
www.DunlapMemorialHome.com

On the evening of Wednesday, September 21, 2022, Douglas John Hoekman passed away surrounded by family at Rainbow Hospice Inpatient Center.  He was sixty-eight years old.

Doug was born on July 13, 1954 to John and Darlene (Minkey) Hoekman, joining older sisters Kathy and Doreen.  He graduated from Whitewater High School with the Class of 1972 and met Kristi Senhenn at Gateway Technical College in Kenosha, Wisconsin.  They married on August 16, 1975 at First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater.  Doug and Kristi had three children: Jessica, John, and William.

For most of the ’80s and ’90s, Doug could be found in the kitchen of the Edge of Town restaurant that he and Kristi owned in Palmyra, Wisconsin. After selling the restaurant in 1997, Doug worked at Ewald Automotive Group in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, until his retirement in September 2021. His employees and co-workers remember him as a man with an easygoing personality and a drive for excellence in his work.

Doug’s family and friends remember him as a patient and warm-hearted husband, father, son, and brother. In addition to his two sisters, Doug was proud to discover a brother, John (Mary), of Colorado, later in life. He connected with people easily and made friends wherever he went. Doug’s favorite pastimes were spending time with his family and cheering on the Green Bay Packers.     

Doug is survived by his wife, Kristi, daughter Jessica (Joseph) Coburn, son John (Shan) Hoekman, William (Emily) Hoekman, and grandchildren Aidan, Kate, and Nola Coburn, Ji and Vera Hoekman, and Maple Hoekman as well as extended family, friends, and colleagues. He is greatly missed by his dog, Carmel.

A memorial service will be held on September 30, 2022 at The Chapel at 445 Warner Road in Whitewater. Visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m. until the service at 5:00 p.m.  An informal dinner will be hosted by the family after the service at 6:00 p.m. Donations in his honor may be directed to Paddy’s Paws at http://paddyspaws.blogspot.com/p/donate.html or Lola’s Lucky Day at https://www.lolasluckyday.com.

Online condolences may be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater is assisting the family.

Audrey (Johnson) McLay, 92, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2022, at the Prairie Home Assisted Living facility in Menasha, WI. Born July 17, 1930, the youngest of five siblings, she grew up in Whitewater, WI, and graduated from Whitewater High School. She participated in some nurses training before marrying Malcolm (Mac) McLay from Janesville (later owner of McLay Auto Parts) in 1953. A devoted homemaker, she decorated her house for the holidays, took pride in her yard, and took numerous photos that went into carefully labeled photo albums. She also enjoyed reading, listening to music, and watching classic movies. At the same time, she brought up and kept in touch with her four children, who are grateful for the many fond memories of family gatherings she gave them over the years.

She is preceded in death by her parents Austin and Anna Johnson; her husband Malcolm, her brothers Royce (Georgette) and Robert (Joanne), and her sisters Shirley Storck (Raymond) and Betty Brown (Clarence) as well as her niece Patricia Storck and nephew James Brown.

She is survived by her daughters Deborah (Bob) Meyer, Ann McLay, Lynn Knott, and Mary (Dale) Frampton; grandchildren (Ronan Frampton, Nessa Frampton, Daniel Prisk), and great-granddaughter Emberlyn.

Per the wishes of the deceased, no memorial services will be held.

Special thanks to the staff of Prairie Home for their services to Audrey in her remaining years.