Nels Richard Wiberg March 16th, 1933 – April 2nd, 2026
Nels Richard Wiberg of Whitewater, Wisconsin passed away Thursday, April 2, 2026 in Whitewater. He was born March 16, 1933 in Aurora, IL to Nels Gunnar and Ethel Christina (Olsund) Wilberg from Batavia, IL
Nels grew up in Batavia, IL and went to Batavia High School. He then went to the University of Illinois where he met his “Swedish Girl” Greta Marion Hultgren. They married in Batavia, IL on December 26, 1953 and moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan. They moved back to Illinois to raise their family of two daughters and two sons in North Aurora, IL.
He was most proud of owning their yarn shop, The Great Yarn Loft, that he and Greta ran in Elmhurst, IL. It was there that he invented the Babe’s Fiber Starter, a contemporary, inexpensive spinning machine. They retired in Whitewater, Wisconsin.
Nels is survived by his wife, Greta of 73 years, and his four children, his sister Nancy (late Denis) Bowron of Geneva, IL and many loved nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Alyce (Late Robert) Konen.
A Memorial Celebration will be announced at a later date, and burial will be private.
Please honor Nels with contributions to Cardiovascular Research.
Nitardy Funeral home has been entrusted with his care.
Louise Ann Thompson, 76, of Beloit, WI, passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2026 at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg.
She was born on February 16, 1950 in Woodstock, IL, the daughter of Walter R. and Dolores (Kozial) Dravis. Louise was a Whitewater High School graduate. She married Joseph “Joe” Thompson on June 14, 2008 at the Beloit Rotary River Center.
Louise was formerly employed by OSF Saint Anthony’s as a facility manager until her retirement in February of 2016. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband, Joe Thompson; daughters, Kari (Michael) Listenbee and Krista Payne; bonus daughter, Melissa (Brian) Wise; grandchildren, Jordan (Maria) Listenbee, Amara (Tyler) Adgalanis, Kacey Payne, Cameron Payne, Brady Wise and Dillon Wise; great-grandchildren, Kai Listenbee, Luka Listenbee, and Beaux Adgalanis; including all of her siblings and many nieces and nephews.
Louise was predeceased by her parents.
A Memorial Service for Louise will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Daley Murphy Wisch & Associates Funeral Home and Crematorium, 2355 Cranston Rd., Beloit, WI. Visitation of Remembrance will be held from 4:00 p.m. until the time of service in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name may be made to Project 16:49, 2911 Carrousel Ln., Janesville, WI, 53545.
Lyle Wayne Hunter, 90, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
He was born on March 25, 1936 to the late Walter and Alice (nee Panser) Hunter in Grantsburg, Wisconsin.
He graduated as valedictorian from Durand High School in 1954. After graduating from Whitewater State College in 1958 with degrees in Mathematics and Chemistry, he taught mathematics for three years in Spring Valley, WI, and one year in New Holstein, WI. In 1964 he received his Master’s Degree from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. In 1965 he was employed at UW-Whitewater, first in the Math Department for four years and for the rest of this career in the Computer Center retiring in 2000 as the Technology Coordinator.
Lyle married Dawn (Brooke) Hunter on June 8, 1963. They had two sons, Kyle in 1967 and Andrew in 1968. Lyle was a wonderful husband and father. He was an avid golfer, playing for over 60 years and getting a hole-in-one on the fourth hole at the Whitewater Country Club in 2004. He played softball in the city league in the 60’s and played noon-hour basketball with a group of fellow faculty members who called themselves “The Mushrooms.” He loved the outdoors and discovered many agates in dry creek beds across Minnesota and Wisconsin. He enjoyed traveling in his retirement especially boat cruises with 24/7 food offerings and wonderful scenery. He loved walking and for years walked three miles five days a week. On his walks he often picked up stray pieces of metal for Dawn to use in her found-object art. Thanks to his wife, he developed an appreciation for art, art shows and galleries.
In retirement, Lyle and Dawn spent their winters as “snow birds” in the desert of Palm Springs, CA, where they made lifelong friends.
From the time they started dating and on through their life together, they held hands when they walked. People often commented on it. Dawn would say it started as passion and ended up as “Balance.”
He is preceded in death by his mother Alice and father Walter, brothers Gerald and Ronald, and his aunt Arlene Bush.
He is survived by his wife Dawn, of almost 63 years, sons Kyle and Andrew (Ruda), and his “adopted” family, the Reichwalds: Althea and her parents Lacey and Dustin. His surviving siblings include brothers Mike and Duane (Mary), and his sisters Karen and Carol, along with his many beloved nieces and nephews.
A Memorial gathering will be on Saturday, April 11 at the Cultural Arts Center, 402 W. Main Street. A visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 p.m., a Celebration of Life at 2:00 and a reception will follow.
Leonard James Larsen, 84, of Whitewater, WI, passed away peacefully with wife and family by his side on Sunday, March 22, 2026. Leonard was born to Leif and Lillian (Hallberg) Larsen on August 21, 1941, in Batavia, IL.
Leonard would serve his country in the United States Navy Seabees, joining in 1959. He continued his education to become an electrician, working in the city of Geneva, IL. Leonard was a member of the Brotherhood of Electrical Workers’ Union for 50 years. He married Jessie Joann in 1977 and moved to California shortly thereafter.
Leonard loved spending time trapshooting, woodworking, watching football, spoiling his pets, and time on the lake.
Leonard is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Louise Pruitt, his daughter Tamara Schulte, and his son Larry Riley. He is survived by his daughters Carla (Rich) Murray, Pamela (John) Nicks, Karen Singer, Sheri (Fred) Esslinger; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
The services are private to the family. Nitardy Funeral Home of Whitewater is assisting the family. Online condolences can be left at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com.
Gordon C. Erikson, 87, of Eagle, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Lake Country Health Services.
Gordon was born on September 7, 1938 in Eagle the son of Leo and Mary (Parsons) Erikson. He grew up on the family farm and was a 1956 graduate of Palmyra High School. On July 25, 1964, Gordon was united in marriage to M. Karen Stockholm at the United Methodist Church in Whitewater and the couple would go on to enjoy 60 years of marriage together until Karen’s passing in 2025. Gordon farmed for the majority of his working career and was very proud of his farming heritage. He and Karen also owned and operated the Gift Hutch of Whitewater for quite a few years and enjoyed that work. For leisure, Gordon enjoyed traveling, mostly to Florida, South Dakota, Branson, MO, and Alaska. He and Karen made many wonderful memories together. He will be remembered for his dry sense of humor, his love of the Green Bay Packers, and his generosity. Gordon will be missed by those he leaves behind.
He is survived by: his nieces and nephews, Amanda Erikson, Eric (Silvia) Bergholtz, Carl Johanson, Bradley (Sandra) Bergholtz, Jess (Ross) Slocum, and Henry Slocum. Gordon is further survived by his sister-in-law Donna (the late Raymond) Erikson, and a number of other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his dear wife, M. Karen Erikson, and his brother, Raymond L. Erikson.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at The Gibson Family Funeral Home in Eagle, WI (499 Elkhorn Road, Eagle, WI 53119). The Rev. Duane Goetsch will officiate the service. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the funeral home. Gordon will be laid to rest in Oak Ridge Cemetery immediately following the service.
Gibson Family Funeral Homes of Eagle and Palmyra, WI is serving the family. To place an online condolence please visit gibsonfuneral.com
OBITUARY Dale Florid Stehno October 6, 1938 – March 1, 2026
Dale Florid Stehno passed away on Sunday, March 1st, 2026, at the Pikes Peak Hospice in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with family by his side.
Dale was born on October 6th, 1938, in Enid, Oklahoma. He grew up on the family farm in Billings, Oklahoma. In 1960 he received a Bachelor of Science degree from Oklahoma State University, leading to a teaching position in the Tulsa Public schools.
Dale married Ann Whitehead on September 23rd, 1961, in Ponca City, Oklahoma. He then spent a year of active duty for the Oklahoma Air National Guard, after which he returned to Oklahoma State University to study for a Master of Science. Ann and Dale moved to Whitewater in 1964 where he had taken a job in Student Personnel at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Their two children Cheryl and Brad were born at this time.
In June 1968 the family moved to Laramie Wyoming to study for his Doctorate in Counselor Education. They returned to Whitewater in December 1969 where Dale took a position with the newly authorized graduate program in Counselor Education. Dale continued at the university until retirement as a Professor of Counselor Education in 1998. In 2008 he moved to Colorado to be closer to family.
Throughout his life Dale loved sports and travel. Through most of his 34 years at UW-W he played basketball in the Noon Hour Basketball Association. In retirement he played many social rounds of golf. Ann and Dale travelled around the world exploring and adventuring; but his favorite trips were undoubtedly loading up his canoe and heading for a week in the Quetico with friends and family from Whitewater.
Dale is survived by his Wife Ann, Children Cheryl and Brad, Grandchildren Dylan, Payton, Ailsa and Heather and Great-Grandchildren Eric and Thomas.
After cremation there will be a Celebration of Life service in Colorado for the family. Dale will then be interred at the Union Cemetery in Billings, Oklahoma.
Michael “Mike” Kenneth Loftus, age 79, passed gently from this life into the next at home with his beloved wife Kathleen “Kate” Loftus at his side on March 9, 2026. Mike was born on June 11, 1946, in Freeport, IL to Dorothy Marie (Sunne) Loftus and Milo Sanford Loftus. He was raised in Deerfield, WI, the eldest of four children, where he excelled in football and academics. He received his BA in Anthropology from Beloit College, and his Masters in Archaeology from UW-Platteville, where he later taught summer courses.
After college graduation he joined Evansville High School (EHS), Evansville, WI, as a social studies teacher. His favorite subjects to teach were Western History and Anthropology, and a self-designed class on Aldo Leopold called The Land Ethic. When he couldn’t find a good textbook on Western History, he wrote one. He was proud to have Anthropology offered as one of the first long-distance courses in the state, broadcasting to schools via cameras in the classroom to students statewide.
Never one to take a back seat, Mike served as President of Jaycees, President of Sturbridge Springs Condominium Association, Deacon and choir member at the United Church of Christ in Evansville, and a 25-year member of the Crescent Bay Hunt Club. During his 34 years at EHS, he also coached tennis, football, served as athletic director, and acted as lead negotiator of the Evansville Teachers Union. Out of all his memberships and affiliations, his thirty-four-year membership in Alcoholics Anonymous was the one he held most dear — a testament to his honesty and the quiet courage it takes to live openly in recovery.
Many who knew Mike considered him a renaissance man. Mike wrote award-winning poetry, sold his paintings and etchings at art shows, collected both decoys and etchings, was an avid outdoorsman, lover of dogs, devoted gardener, and a hunter of fowl and deer. However, he would tell you that watching his children compete, grow, and build families of their own was his greatest joy.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Kathleen “Kate” Loftus; his three children: Martin Healy Loftus (Anna Costello Loftus), Carrie Loftus Astin, and Alexander Nicholas Loftus (Jessica Vogel Loftus); his four grandchildren, whom he delighted in: Betty June Astin, Charley Elizabeth Astin, Cormac Michael Loftus, and Lucia Sheehan Loftus; and his siblings: Melanie Ann Loftus, Mark Steven Loftus and Melinda Louise Ashland.
The family wishes to thank Josh Bethel, Alicia Frye, Stacy Jay and SSM Hospice for their tender caregiving, making it possible for Mike to remain in the home until the end, and to the Men’s Tuesday Morning Group for their support and faithfulness.
A visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on March 15, 2026 at SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME. A funeral service will follow on March 16, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH, JANESVILLE. SCHNEIDER FUNERAL DIRECTORS is assisting the family. For online condolences and guestbook, please visit: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate help in establishing Mike’s Memorial Garden. Gift cards may be purchased from K&W Greenery, 608-752-8917.
Ronald “Ron” Gosh, 86, of Fort Atkinson passed away on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at his home with his family by his side.
He was born on August 4, 1939, to the late Edward and Dorothy (nee Schulfer) Gosh in Stevens Point, WI. The family moved to Milwaukee. Ron attended Casimir Pulaski High School. He honorably served in the United States Army. On October 14, 1961, he was united in marriage to Donna Kay Root. Ron worked for the Falk Company in Milwaukee as a machinist for 33 years until retirement. He was a very hard worker. Ron enjoyed woodworking, fishing, hunting, and coaching sports. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and all his grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Those Ron leaves behind to cherish his memory include his nine children, Jacqueline (Carlos) Marrero, Whitewater, WI, Michelle (Greg) Guthrie, Whitewater, WI, Michael (Sandra) Gosh, Johnson Creek, WI, Danette (Scott) Wileman, Fort Atkinson, WI, James (Natasha) Gosh, Whitewater, WI, Robert, (Kim) Gosh, Whitewater, WI, Stephanie (James) Boehning, Fort Atkinson, WI, David (Robin) Gosh, Elkhorn, WI, and Melissa Cutshall of East Troy, WI; 25 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; brother, Jerry (Bev) Gosh; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Donna Gosh; his grandchild, Kayla Boehning, two sisters, Ruth (Bud) Siris and Marie Eberhardt; nephew, Jason Letizia; and sister-in-law, Denise Kaminski.
VISITATION: The family will greet relatives and friends on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St., Whitewater, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:45 p.m. SERVICE: A service to remember Ron will be at the funeral home Saturday at 2:00 p.m.
The family would like to specially thank his granddaughter and husband Nicole and Jim Mildenstein as well as Rainbow Hospice for all their help and care.
The Nitardy Funeral Home has been entrusted with Ron’s arrangements.
I see trees of green, red roses too I see them bloom, for me and you And I think to myself what a wonderful world I see skies of blue, and clouds of white The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night And I think to myself what a wonderful world The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky Are also on the faces of people going by I see friends shaking hands, saying, “How do you do?” They’re really saying I love you ~Song by Louis Armstrong
Nancy’s Wonderful World
Nancy Ann was born in Michigan City, Indiana to Paul William and Anna Carolina Fredericka Schnick. She was the younger sister to Ronald and David.
She graduated from Marshall High School in Michigan in 1953. She then began her career in Chicago, fashionably walking down Michigan Avenue in her high heels, to LaSalle National Bank. She began honing her bridge skills on the hour-long South Shore Line electric train commute and refined them throughout her life with another bridge partner she met in 1960.
A handsome intern arrived at her home church of St. Paul Lutheran in Michigan City, Indiana that year. Maybe there was a wink or two from the pew. She married Jerald Lee Wendt of Bergholz, New York on June 16, 1962. They enjoyed 63 years of wedded bliss. They had three children, Gretchen (Chris ) Cudak, Nathan Wendt and Charles (Stacy) Wendt. Nancy was the best mom imaginable, and warmly welcomed the addition of grandchildren, Austin (Madeline Esteb) Cudak, Elliott (Catherine) Cudak, Evan Cudak, Hailey (Brently) Bohn, Kristina (Chet) Trimborn, Sophie Wendt (Austin Dunlap), and Sadie Wendt. Her great grandchildren were the apple of her eye, Brooklyn, Kennedy, Charlotte and Wyatt Bohn and Miles and Hayden Trimborn. From their first snuggles with the handmade flannel blankets she gave them as infants to eating her famous Oatmeal Pancakes, Sweet Rolls, and Cherry Berries on a Cloud, all the grandkids are full of warm and happy memories. She could turn any activity into a cherished pastime. Seeing who could pick the most raspberries from her abundant patch was a special favorite.
Nancy and Jerry’s ministry took them to three congregations:
First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater, WI from 1963-1966
Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cedarburg, WI from 1966-1973
Faith Lutheran Church in Columbus, WI from 1973-1984
and back to First English in Whitewater from 1984-present.
An important part of her service work included sewing quilts for refugees across the world through Lutheran World Relief. The quilters at First English have made more than 10,000 quilts over the years. A ministry filled with love and joy.
In 1990 Nancy opened Victoria-on-Main Bed & Breakfast. Her business allowed her to practice what she naturally was so good at—hospitality. She welcomed travelers from all over, but she especially welcomed refugees who needed a home. Over the years people from Uganda, Belgium, Kosovo and Ukraine became family. She continued to welcome guests through her 90th year.
Nancy had a quick wit and sharp card sense. She played bridge throughout her life, with Jerry as her favorite partner. They became Life Masters in Bridge in 2024. She also loved a good game of euchre or dominoes.
Nancy and Jerry were always up for an adventure and took a two-month road trip to Alaska after Jerry retired from the ministry in 2003. Following that, they began spending the Advent season on the the gulf of Florida, collecting oodles of shells and feeding seagulls off their ocean-view balcony. They took many riverboat cruises in Europe, gathering friends to go with them. They enjoyed many vacations to the beautiful sunshine of Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico during the Wisconsin winters. They also enjoyed summer fishing trips to Gretchen and Chris’ Pine Cottage on the Whitefish Chain of Lakes in Minnesota.
Nancy lived life fully to the end in her beautiful Victorian home, just as she hoped. She had geraniums saved in the basement for the upcoming summer, canned dozens of jars of tomato juice just last fall, and hosted the whole family for Christmas 2025, decorating a 15-foot tree in the foyer. She suffered a seizure on January 16th, and was well cared for by the nurses and doctors at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison. A recent cancer diagnosis caused her to spend her last week peacefully in hospice care, where her loving family held her hands, just as she held ours throughout our lives. When it comes to love, we all learned from the best.
Bayard Leroy “Chip” Renninger III passed away on February 4, 2026, as the result of injuries sustained in a snowmobile accident.
Chip was born to Bayard II and Marian (Matheson) “Bunny” Renninger on April 8, 1963, in Pennsylvania. After moving to Janesville, Wisconsin, he graduated from Janesville Craig High School with the Class of 1981. He attended the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point before finding his niche as a finish carpenter in residential construction. Highly skilled in his trade, Chip took great pride in his craftsmanship and the quality of his work.
On July 14, 1990, he married Margaret Baumer in Janesville, and together they welcomed one daughter, Hannah.
Chip was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting elk, deer, and bear. He also loved fishing and spending time with his dogs, Ellie, CeCe, and Zara.
He is survived by his daughter, Hannah Brotz; his granddaughter, Harper Rae Brotz; his sisters, Kelli (Walt) Kraayvanger, Sue (Jim) Schumacher; as well as Margaret Renninger; several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a few close friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bayard II and Marian “Bunny” Renninger. A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
