Life Events

Linda S. Lehman, 61, of Whitewater, WI passed away with her loving husband by her side on March 15, 2022 at Agrace Hospice Center in Janesville, WI.

Linda was born on January 31, 1961 in Milwaukee, WI the daughter of Bruce and Sue Carol (Schroeder) Omdoll, Sr.. Linda grew up in Milwaukee and graduated from Milwaukee Marshall High School. She was united in marriage to Michael Lehman on June 27, 1992 at Wellington Park Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. The couple was blessed with a son, Bret in 1998. Linda was happy and good spirited; she loved her family and she loved people. Her passion in life was music, specifically 80’s Rock. She also had a special connection with animals of all kinds, including bugs. She was loved and she will be greatly missed.

She is survived by: her loving husband of 29 years, Michael Lehman of Whitewater, WI; her son, Bret Lehman of Jefferson, WI; her siblings, Bruce (Susan) Omdoll, Lisa (Richard) Heitl, Lora (Dan) Cieszynski, John (Charlotte) Omdoll and Shari (Kory) Schuhmacher; and her siblings-in-law, Gary (the late Julie) Lehman, Charles (Tina) Lehman and Patricia (Charles) Wozniak. She is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her father, Bruce Omdoll, Sr..

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Linda’s family.

A Funeral Service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, March 25, 2022 at the Gibson Family Funeral Home in Palmyra, WI (320 W. Main St. Palmyra, WI 53156). Visitation will take place from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Linda will be laid to rest in Hillside Cemetery on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.

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

Whitewater/Brodhead, WI – Carrie “Maisie” Condon, age 99, passed away on March 7, 2022 while at her home in Whitewater.

Maisie was born on July 27, 1922 in Stoughton, WI, the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Whaley) Taylor.
She married Gurnsey Condon in 1946 in Southern Wisconsin.

Maisie was a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ of Whitewater, the Alpha Club, Federation of Women’s Clubs, Fairhaven Auxiliary, Whitewater Country Club and Women’s Golf Association and the Golden Girls (a group of friends of 60 years and older).

Maisie is survived by two sons, Gurnsey (Noele) Condon of Wisconsin Rapids, WI and John (Terry) Condon of Kissimmee, FL; three grandchildren, Sean Condon of Minocqua, WI, Kristin Condon of Woodbury, MN and Andrew Condon of Pleasant Prairie, WI; two great-granddaughters, Ryan and Devan Condon; one great-grandson, Jude Besl and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Maisie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gurnsey in 2004 and all of her siblings.

Funeral Service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2022 at D.L. Newcomer Funeral Home, 1109 East 9th Avenue, Brodhead, Wisconsin, with visitation starting at noon. Burial in Greenwood Cemetery, Brodhead. The Condon family asks that you kindly consider making a charitable donation to UNICEF, Save the Children, or a charity of your choice rather than floral donations. To extend online condolences to the family, please visit: www.dlnewcomerfuneralhome.com.

Dianne Camplin died peacefully on March 10, 2022 at the age of 86 after suffering a stroke in February. A beloved wife, mom, and grandma/Mimi, she was born on June 3, 1935 to Alois and Marianne Mueller.  She graduated from Menomonee Falls High School and met her husband, Dave when they were maid of honor and best man in her cousin’s wedding. They married in 1956 when both were attending UW-Whitewater where she was an active member of Theta Sigma Upsilon sorority. Graduating with a degree in elementary education, she spent most of her 27-year teaching career at Rockwell School. She was proud to have taught many 5^th and 6^th grade students math, science, and how to crochet. Dianne and Dave spent most of their adult lives in Fort Atkinson and moved to Fairhaven in Whitewater in 2016.

Known as “Auntie,” her love of children extended to babysitting in retirement.  This began when Dave’s brother, Bill and partner, Kitty moved to Fort. Their children, Satchel and Savannah were Dianne and Dave’s first “grandkids.” She then took care of children of other family friends. These relationships continued years after the babysitting ended. 

Dianne retired at 55 and enjoyed leisure life and gardening. She realized her greatest joy at the age of 60 with the birth of their first grandchild, Rivkah soon joined by sister, Shira and then cousin, Parker. Being a grandma was her favorite ‘job.’ She and Dave traveled to Illinois, Iowa, North Carolina, and California to visit, attend school plays, bnot mitzvah, graduations, birthday parties, and celebrate holidays.  

Dianne was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church for over 60 years.  She was also a member of a ‘Sewing Club’ comprised of several local friends where Dianne perfected the craft of darning socks. After many years, the sewing ceased; however, the gatherings continued with the Fort Pizza Hut $5 all-you-can-eat buffet being a favorite lunch spot. 

She will long be remembered for her deviled eggs, Oreo cookie ice cream dessert, chocolate zucchini cake, and her favorite phrase: ‘It is what it is.’

She is survived by her children, Karen Douglas and son-in-law, Roger Douglas of Walnut Creek, CA; Steve Wolf-Camplin and daughter-in-law, Nicole Wolf-Camplin of Wilmington, NC. Also survived by the loves of her life, grandchildren: Rivkah Wolf-Camplin of Atlanta, GA; Shira Wolf-Camplin of Asheville, NC; and Parker David Douglas of Seattle, WA. She is further survived by Dorothy Thode; Don and Bonnie Camplin; Fred and Ruth Ann Camplin; Bill Camplin and Kitty Welch; and Gene Camplin.   She is further survived by nieces and nephews and several dear friends,  many of them fellow Fort teachers. Dianne was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, David Camplin in February of 2020 and her brother, Ronald Mueller in 2010.

Correspondence can be sent in care of the Café Carpe, 18 S. Water Street West in Fort.  Memorials can be made in Dianne’s honor to: Jefferson County Humane Society or the Fort Atkinson Food Pantry.

A memorial will be held on Sunday, April 24 at Bethany Lutheran Church with visitation at 2:00, a service at 3:00 and a reception to follow. 

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

Jeffrey “Jeff” John Halko, 66, of Whitewater passed away on Sunday, December 5, 2021 at Mercy Hospital in Janesville.

Jeff was born on June 12, 1955 in Chicago to Michael and Marie (Arruda) Halko. He grew up in the Silver Lake area where he graduated from Wilmot High in 1974. Jeff forged lifelong friendships in his youth before leaving the area to hitchhike across the country with new found friend, Rikki, landing in Libertypole/The Gulch, before returning to California. He met and married Cynthia Lamb in 1982, operated his first window cleaning business, Spotless Window Cleaning, in Monterey. They moved their family to LaCrosse, WI where he owned and operated Sunshine Window Cleaning until 1998. Jeff relocated to Elkhorn, WI following his divorce and purchased Picture Perfect Window Cleaning. He soon met and married Colleen Eissens in 2002, who joined him in the window cleaning business.

Jeff loved his work and his customers. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed singing, playing guitar, dancing, golfing, scootering with his dogs, getting together and catching up with ‘ol friends, making new ones, good conversation and spending time with family. He enjoyed watching Badger football, basketball and volleyball, as well as Packer football.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Colleen Eissens; his sisters Paula Kunz (Bill) and Laura Hart (Larry); his brother Larry Halko; his children Jacey (Lamb-Halko) Bubbers and Caleb Lamb-Halko; his grandchildren Tybalt Barbosa, Cianna Bubbers, Roman Bubbers, and Lannie Bubbers; his stepmother-in-law Rose Eissens; his stepchildren Chloe Barbosa (Jessy), Skylar Gabel-Eissens and Sean Gabel-Eissens; his beloved proteges Joe Oachs, Ryan Boeck and Dave Boeck; his canine kids Simon and KiRa.

He is preceded in death by his parents Michael Halko and Marie Janks, his brother George Halko; his in-laws Alvin Eissens and Alice (Akker) Bolluyt.

Every day presents a new opportunity to choose joy, despite our sorrow.  Please join us to celebrate the life of Jeff Halko and the joy he brought to our lives.  Please bring your memories, ones that make you smile, laugh and feel blessed to have known a person so full of love, joy and playfulness. 

The Celebration of life will take place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on April 24, 2022 at Evergreen Country Club, N6246 US 12, Elkhorn, WI.  An informal service will take place at 2 p.m., with light refreshments and socializing to follow.

Cards may be sent in c/o Picture Perfect, PO Box 112, Whitewater, WI 53190.

Online condolences can also be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Marie Augusta Traxler, 77, Whitewater, passed away at home on Sunday, March 13, 2022, after battling lung cancer. She was surrounded by her family.

Marie was born on April 20, 1944 in Whitewater, WI to Woodrow and Marion (Schultz) Thayer. She graduated from Palmyra High School in 1962. Marie married Sidney Traxler on June 29, 1968 at the Palmyra Methodist Church. She was employed as a program assistant for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and retired in 2007. Marie was the state treasurer of the Wisconsin National Guard enlisted association auxiliary. She enjoyed crafting and playing cards with her friends and taking care of others was her passion. She was a member of First English Lutheran Church.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 54 years, Sidney; children: Melinda (Michael) Ulsberger, Fort Atkinson, Susan (Bradley) Meyer, Milwaukee; grandchildren: David and Sarah Ulsberger, Preston and Addison Meyer; great-grandchildren, Dominic McKinnon and Adrian Ulsberger; brothers: Carl (Nancy) Thayer and Bruce Thayer; brother-in-law, David (Dottie) Traxler and many cherished friends and family. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters-in-law, Marty Thayer and Karen (Tom) Chwala.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, March 18, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St. Whitewater, WI 53190. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. The family would like to thank Kendra, Sarah, Gretchen and Terri from Rainbow Hospice for their loving care and support. Online condolences may be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Annabell Jeanette Hoof, age 84 of Whitewater, WI, passed peacefully on Friday, February 4, 2022 at St Mary’s Hospital in Janesville.

She was born in New Ulm, MN to Raymond and Rosella Glaesemann. On May 12, 2002 she married Wayne Hoof. He preceded her in death on May 6th, 2017. She is also preceded by her former husband, Donald Kaat, the father of her 6 children, her parents Raymond and Rosella, brother Floyd and sister Diane.

Ann enjoyed reading, setting puzzles and sewing. She was employed by Monterey until her retirement in 2000. Ann graduated from high school in 2002 at the age of 67.

Annabell is survived by a sister Elaine (Richard) Gudmunsen of Wayzata, MN, her children Twila (Joe) Ehrfeld of South Carolina, Candice (Kevin) Wholey of California, Dawn (Rob) Via of Edgerton, WI, Timothy (Judy) Kaat of Florida, Brenda (Ken) Drake of Janesville, WI and Charles (Barbi) Kaat of Edgerton, WI, 11 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 25, 2022 at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St., Whitewater, WI. A visitation will take place from 10 a.m. until the time of service. A burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery. Condolences can be mailed to Dawn Via, 403 Hemphill Ave, Edgerton, WI 53534.

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

Shawn Marie Smith, age 53, passed away peacefully February 26th 2022, at Froedtert Hospital. She was born on July 28th, 1968, in Watertown to Patricia Blank.

Shawn was a respected dog behavior consultant for the last 10 years in Whitewater and the surrounding area. As a past member of the Basenji Club of Southeastern Wisconsin, she served as rescue committee chair, facilitating many successful placements. She also served as chair of the rescue committee of the Basenji Club of America.

She received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater. While an undergraduate she published a study that appeared in 2007 Applied Animal Behavior Science.

She is survived by her life Partner, Todd Thayer, her Mother Patricia Blank, children, Jesse Smith and Josh Smith and two brothers, Jerry Salb and Bob Budde.

Thank you all for the cards and condolences.

James M. Stypla, age 71, of Janesville, passed away at home on Friday, February 25, 2022. A celebration of his life will be held on a later date. SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY is assisting his family.