Life Events

Obituary: John Andrew Gregoire, 59

John Andrew Gregoire, 59, of Whitewater, WI passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at his home.

John was born December 4th, 1961 to his parents Donald and Linda Gregoire. John worked as an Equipment Engineer in the road construction industry for several years and also served as a firefighter for the Whitewater Fire Department. He was blessed with two daughters; Cami and Cary Gregoire, whom he loved dearly. John was very proud of his daughters and considered them the light of his life. He also loved NASCAR and his favorite drivers were Matt Kenseth and Tony Stewart. John will be greatly missed by the friends and family that he left behind.

He is survived by: his daughters, Cami and Cary Gregoire of Whitewater, his brother and sister-in-law  Don and Jill Gregoire of Whitewater, his sister Brenda and her husband Carl Kienbaum of North Fond du lac, and a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

A Graveside Service will be held to honor John’s life at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 10, 2021 at Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater, WI.

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

Obituary: Charles Scharine, 86

Charles Scharine

Jan 20, 1935 – Sept. 19, 2021

Charles F. Scharine (Charlie), 86, of rural Whitewater WI, passed away peacefully at Agrace Hospice on September 19, 2021, after an extended illness at home. 

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, September 26 at Rock Prairie Presbyterian Church with Pastor Gail Monsma officiating. Visitation will be at the church starting at 1:00 PM. Burial with military honors will follow the service at Johnstown cemetery. Light refreshments will be served at the church following the interment. Masks are required for the indoor portion of the service. Arrangements are by Henke-Clarson Funeral Home.  

Charlie was born to Albert and Charlotte Scharine in 1935. A graduate of Whitewater City High School class of 1953, he was joined in marriage with Shirley (Ellsworth) Scharine on July 14, 1956. Charlie started the family business (CS Mechanized Choring) in 1962, with dairy equipment sales and service. In the 1970s, he started the grain division and in 1987 General Motors sought out Charlie to design and manufacture custom carts. From that, Scharine’s Custom Fabrication division was born, with the entire company rebranded as The Scharine Group. The Scharine Group is now headed by Charlie’s three sons.  

Charlie also enjoyed a very successful military career. He joined the Wisconsin Army National Guard in 1953 along with fellow members of Whitewater City High football team. He served on active duty during the 1961-62 Berlin Crisis with the 32nd Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington. His military education included the Jungle Warfare School at Fort Sherman, Panama Canal Zone, Infantry Officer Orientation Course; and Command and General Staff College. Brig. Gen. Charles F Scharine (ret.) was commander of the 57th Field Artillery Brigade, instrumental in saving the brigade from deactivation in the early 1980s. Commanding the 32nd Infantry Brigade, he mobilized a full brigade of soldiers and equipment for deployment to Germany in the REFORGER 1986 exercises. After retirement, Gen. Scharine remained active in community and military associations, especially as long-time leader of the 32nd Red Arrow Infantry Division/Brigade Old Timers Club. His military awards include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, and the Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster. Charlie’s great loves included his family, his country, and gardening. He was also famous for his cinnamon rolls and Sunday morning fellowship cookies.  

Charles is survived by his wife Shirley; three daughters, April (Michael) Cochran, Shelby Keefe and Therese (Scott) Woodruff; and three sons, Blake (Kim) Scharine, Jason (Stephanie) Scharine and Marcus (Shelly) Scharine. He is also survived by two sisters Genevieve Thompson and Ellie Borchert, 9 grandchildren (Jade Cochran, Kaleb and Noah Keefe, Skyler Woodruff, Brittney Scharine, Raven and Robyn King, Morgan and Mallory Scharine) and 1 great grandchild (Zoey Gross).  

The family wishes to thank the caring staff of Agrace Hospice and Assisting Hands Home Care for their kindness and skilled assistance. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Wisconsin National Guard Foundation Inc., 2400 Wright Street, Room 151, Madison WI 53704.  

Online condolences can be made at henkeclarson.com.  

Obituary: Matthew Alan Bakken, 60, Fort Atkinson

Matthew Alan Bakken, 60, of Fort Atkinson passed away peacefully while surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, September 12, 2021, at Meriter Hospital in Madison.

Matthew was born on April 7, 1961 in Edgerton to Willis and Beverly (Myron) Bakken. He worked as a Mason for several years before creating his own lock-smith business, which he established in 2006 as Fort Lock Co. After meeting the love of his life, Matthew and Debra Bowdin joined their hands in marriage, in the presence of their closest family and friends, in August of 2018.

Matthew was a man of faith which he used as the foundation for his life. He was a loving and devoted Husband, Father, and Grandfather. Matthew prioritized his family and cherished the time he spent with them. He had a wonderful sense of humor that he shared with all those who knew him. Matthew had a love for music and in his younger years he was the lead singer and lead guitarist in a band. He experienced much joy playing his guitar for family and friends at gatherings and attending music festivals with loved ones. Another aspect of Matthew’s life that was very important to him was his lock-smith business, which he was very proud of. Matthew prided himself on maintaining a business known for reliability and professionalism. He fostered connections with individuals and businesses in many different communities in the surrounding area.

Matthew was survived by his wife, Debra Bowdin-Bakken; son, Connor Bakken; step-son, Ryan (Rachael) Bowdin; grandchildren, Franklin and Rylee Bowdin; siblings, Steven (Carol) Bakken, Susan Schloesser, Craig Bakken, Lynne (Mike) Rhoe; step-brother, Michael Lee; cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends.

He is preceded in death by parents, Willis and Beverly Bakken.

A memorial service will take place at 1 pm on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at Nitardy Funeral Home, 1008 Madison Ave., Fort Atkinson, WI 53538. Visitation will take place from 11 am until the time of service.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Fort Memorial and Meriter Hospital for their exceptional care of Matthew. A special thank you to Pastor Scharrer for his spiritual guidance and comfort to the family in their time of need. Also, a heartfelt thank you to Sherry Busshardt for all her time, love, and support during this most difficult time.

In Lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the family.

Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Obituary: James Stuart Kleinhans, 81

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he bent down and heard my cry….” Psalm 40:1

And, on September 1, 2021 with his family surrounding him, Jim Kleinhans was gently released from the devastating grip of pain, frustration, and isolation brought on as he battled Alzheimer’s dementia over the past five years.

A native of Fort Atkinson, WI, he was born on October 15, 1939. A first generation American, he was the son of John A. Kleinhans who immigrated here from Germany in 1929, and Evelyn Wetzel Kleinhans, heir to a proud family history of those who settled in Jefferson County prior to Wisconsin attaining statehood in 1848.

Jim attended St. Paul’s Lutheran School through the 8th grade and graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 1957. Jim’s post secondary schooling followed three years spent as a Navy Corpsman at Great Lakes Station in Illinois. He followed his high school basketball coach (Kermit “Doc” Weiske) to Ripon College for two years to play basketball. Subsequent to that, he attended UW-Whitewater for two years and received his B.A. degree in History and Broadfield Social Studies from UW-Stevens Point in 1994.

A lifelong involvement in sports (playing baseball and basketball through high school, college and Navy) and politics led to Jim’s 40-year professional career in journalism, printing and publication. At the request of and under the tutelage of long time Daily Jefferson County Union Editor, Bob Angus, he became a sports editor and reporter in 1964. Subsequently, he served as editor for the Ripon Commonwealth Press, The Lakeland Times in Minocqua, Arcadia News Leader, and the Dunn County News in Menomonie. He was also the senior associate editor at J.J. Keller and Associates in Neenah and an administration officer in the Bureau of Information/Education with the State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

With a keen interest in environmental issues, Jim also spent a number of years working at the state and county levels, as well as with the National Guard on related matters. He was instrumental in establishing solid waste and recycling programs and served as the Executive Director of Wisconsin’s Radioactive Waste Review Board to ensure that nuclear dump sites were not located here in the state.

Jim’s relationship to sports continued throughout his adult life. It ranged from running the city’s recreation programs, managing the Fort Atkinson Generals to coaching both boys and girls high school basketball and baseball teams. He also spent many years as a WIAA referee and umpire for those same sports. During this period, Jim also spent time as a secondary school teacher in both Wisconsin and Massachusetts where his wife was serving as a Superintendent of Schools.

James S. Kleinhans married the girl he introduced himself to when he was a senior in high school and she was a 14-year-old freshman and new resident in the city, Penelope J. Alwin, daughter of JoAnn and Walter Alwin. They were joined in marriage on December 23, 1961 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson followed by a reception at the home of the bride on Merchants Avenue, the 23 room former Hoard mansion. Jim and Penny became the proud parents of five children in the next seven years; Tory Leigh, Todd James, Tyrone Alwin, Talitha Jo (T.J.) and Tara Kim.

Jim’s sons, Todd and Tyrone, later followed his path to Ripon College as scholar athletes. His daughters Tory and TJ also received advanced degrees and together these four children have careers as school administrators and school social workers. His youngest daughter, Tara, received her J.D. from UW-Madison and served 20 years as a family practice attorney and corporation counsel in Southwest Wisconsin. Jim and Penny shared great pride in being grandparents and great grandparents to 24 children.

Jim was preceded in death by his daughter, Tara, his son Tyrone, his parents John and Evelyn Kleinhans, brother John Kleinhans, as well as mother and father-in-law, Joann and Walter Alwin, brothers-in-law, Captain Scott R. Alwin, Craig J. Alwin, Brent P. Alwin, Dennis Sohns, sisters-in-law April M. Alwin, Phyllis Kleinhans, Jeannine Davis, Elaine Robinson and nephews, Sgt. Tyrone W. Alwin and David Guld.

Jim is survived by his wife, Penny Jo Alwin, daughter Tory Kleinhans (Deanie), son Todd Kleinhans (Kim) and daughter TJ Hansen (Andreas); brothers-in-law Roy Rockwell, Matt Simmons, Lance Alwin, Sean Alwin, Lee Sohns; sisters-in-law Deborah Rockwell, Pamela Fullerton, Gabrielle Alwin, Patty Alwin, Jill Simmons, Nancy Alwin, Tess Alwin-Ngyuen, and many, many beloved nieces and nephews.

Jim became an important and essential member of a large extended family unit. He is well loved and will be greatly missed by all including his faithful driving companion Mo. A lifetime of fishing leads us to say he’s gone fishin’ once again (esp., for walleyes). The “circle up yonder” is growing and will not be broken and so we say together, “Lord, lettest Thou thy servant depart in peace….” and we will meet again. Pax Vobiscum!

A memorial service to celebrate Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, September 18 at 11:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 145 S. Prairie Street, Whitewater. Visitation will precede the service from 10:30-11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to the Honor in the Air Project for Captain Scott R. Alwin. Information and donation options can be found at Honor In The Air.

The Nitardy Funeral Home Whitewater, WI is assisting the family.  Online condolences may be given to the family at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com     

William and Sandra (Anderson) Clarke Celebrating 55th Wedding Anniversary

William and Sandra (Anderson) Clarke 55th Wedding Anniversary Announcement

William and Sandra are celebrating 55 years of love and family on September 24th, 2021. Their children, Bill and Beth Clarke, Jennifer Clarke, Shawn and Holly Clarke, along with their 9 grandchildren, Madeline, Benjamen, Gabriel, Jenna, Neva, Anna, Ryan and Savanna and Brandon Dillinger are wishing them many more years of their extraordinary love.

Obituary: Cecil John Rhodes, 95, formerly of LaGrange (UPDATED with arrangements)

In Memorial: Cecil John Rhodes, formerly of LaGrange, Wisconsin

Cecil John Rhodes, age 95 and resident of Surprise, AZ, died February 5th, 2021, of Covid-19 after a long and joyful life. 

Retired from farming the Rhodes family farm in LaGrange, WI, he loved reading, traveling and entertaining his friends with good humor. He also participated in and loved music, especially barbershop, Dixieland bands, big bands, and classical music with lots of brass.  

He served in the Navy in World War II’s Pacific arena. He was a 60-year member of the Masonic Lodge of Palmyra (WI) and a 25+-year member of the Lauderdale LaGrange Volunteer Fire Department as a firefighter and scuba diver. He was also a member of the LaGrange United Methodist Church, and the Shepherd of the Hills UMC in Sun City West, AZ.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Goldie Chamberlain Rhodes, and survived by four daughters, Gail Rhodes of Whitewater, WI; Carol and son-in-law Bob Berray of Powell, WY; Tricia Rhodes of Bloomington, MN; and Bobbi Rhodes of Powell, WY. His gift of gab and fun will be sorely missed.  

His memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 16th at the LaGrange Methodist Church, N8548 County Road H, Whitewater WI 53190.

Visitation will be at 9 am with family. The service will be at 10 am, with burial and lunch to follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the:
Lauderdale LaGrange Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. 
West 6080 US Hwy 12
Whitewater, WI  53190

Obituary: Calvin “Jim” Johansen, 74

Calvin “Jim” Johansen, 74, of Whitewater passed away on Sunday, September 5, 2021 at Wisconsin Veteran’s Home in Union Grove.

Jim was born on October 30, 1946 to Everett and Helene (Cash) Johansen in Janesville. He attended Whitewater High School and after graduating, immediately enlisted in the United States Air Force. Jim served his term in Vietnam as an aircraft mechanic and was honorably discharged. On November 6, 1968 Jim married Patricia Brown at Whitewater Assembly of God Church. He worked at Hawthorn Mellody in Whitewater until it closed, and also worked at UW-Whitewater as a maintenance technician.

Jim loved watching sports, and enjoyed helping people, belonging to his church and reading his Bible. He saw to it that he joined his family in many activities, including camping. He also liked playing ping-pong, card games, and taking his kids fishing.

Jim is survived by his wife, Pat Johansen; sons, Dean Johansen, Tom (Brooke) Johansen, Steve (Patience) Johansen; grandchildren, Dean, Austin, Jake (Nicole), Ashton, Aidan, Avery, Isaiah, Ander, Caleb, Aubrey; one great-grandchild, Emmalynn; siblings, Diana (Jeff) Simes, Howard (Sue) Higgins, Pamela (Terry) Stritzel; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his father: Everett Johansen, mother: Helene (Cash) Higgins, step-father: John Higgins, and brother: John Johansen.

Memorial services will take place at noon on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at Turning Point Church in Janesville. Visitation will take place from 11AM until the time of service.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Wisconsin Veteran’s Home for their exceptional care for Jim.

A donation can be made in Jim’s name to Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin Chapter, 620 S 76th St, Milwaukee, WI 53214, or Wisconsin Parkinson Association, 16655 W. Bluemound Road, Suite 330 Brookfield, WI 53005.

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

Obituary: Gordon Elliott Parks, 92

Waunakee – Gordon Elliott Parks passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 5, 2021, at Waunakee Manor, in the presence of family members.

Gordon was born in Indianapolis on February 25, 1929, to Howard Elliott Parks and Angela (Collins) Parks, the third of four children. He attended school in Indianapolis and in St Louis, Missouri. He received the B.A. from the University of Missouri in 1950, where he was inducted into the Mystical Seven and Phi Beta Kappa. In 1954 he obtained the master’s degree from the same school. He was awarded the PhD in History from the University of Wisconsin — Madison in 1964.

Professor Parks taught history in Texas: at the University of North Texas in Denton and at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, and in Wisconsin: at the University of Wisconsin — Whitewater, where he also served for many years as University Archivist. He retired in 1991.

From 1948-1979 Gordon served in the Army Reserve, then in the Army, and then in the Army Reserve, attaining the rank of Lt. Colonel.

On May 10, 1952, Gordon married Helen Ruth Lowry after a short courtship. They were married for nearly 62 years.

Gordon was preceded in death by his wife Helen, his parents, his brother John and John’s wife Margaret, by his sister Marian and her husband William, by his brothers-in-law Bert Weidinger and Fritz Lowry, by sisters-in-law Marie Lowry and Ann Lowry, by an infant son Danny, and by his son-in-law Tony Spragg.

Gordon is survived by seven children: Alan (Jean), Frank, Katie, Elizabeth (Willard Hanson), Christopher (special friend Caroline Jam), Howard (fiancee Sammy), and Matthew (Linda). He is survived by eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, by his sister Evelyn Weidinger, and by his sister-in-law Etta Johnson, and by many nieces and nephews.

Gordon enjoyed trips to the lake home, classical music, cooking, baking bread, and politics.

Gordon’s family thanks St Mary’s Hospital in Madison, Waunakee Manor and Heartland Hospice for their compassionate and expert care.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Windsor/DeForest Chapel
6924 Lake Road
608-846-4250

Obituary: Lolita Ann Kachel, 92 (UPDATED with full obituary)

Lolita Ann Matson Kachel, 92, passed away peacefully with family by her side September 2, 2021 at her home in Whitewater after a brief illness. Lolita was a local businesswoman and philanthropist, as well as a mother of 7 and grandmother of 12.

Born April 10, 1929 in Wausau WI to John and Laura Matson, Lolita spent her early years in Ringle, WI and her high school years in Eagle River, WI.  Her father, John B. Matson was Vilas County Superintendent of Schools and was a major influence on her appreciating the value of education.  

Growing up in the North Woods, Lolita loved spending summers with her Finnish Grandma Emma Matson and aunts on their farm, overlooking Sand Lake in Phelps, WI.  Sand Lake was also the summer home of Al Capone’s lawyer, and her aunts entertained her with tales of Capone hiding out at his lawyer’s home when things got “too hot” in Chicago.

Lolita attended Whitewater State Teachers College in 1946. She enjoyed college and was a member and president of the Women’s Self Government Association, president of Theta Sigma Upsilon Sorority and a member of the A Capella and Treble Clef choirs. While attending college she met her husband, David L. Kachel. Shortly after graduating in 1950 with a degree in Business Education, Lolita and Dave wed on August 27, 1950 in Eagle River, WI. They celebrated 60 years of marriage before his passing in February, 2011.

Lolita first taught in Mishicot, WI.  Later, while raising her family, she worked side by side with her husband in the family businesses.  Her business skills acquired in college proved invaluable throughout her life partnership with Dave at the Wisconsin Dairy Supply, later in the real estate business of DLK Enterprises, Hawk Bowl, and Brookdale and Blackhawk Manors. Lolita was on the Board of Commercial Bank for 40 years and served as Chairman for 6 of those years.

Lolita and Dave were huge supporters of education at all levels. Together they donated funds to Whitewater Unified School District for the fulfillment of many educational and sports projects. They were founding donors of the Whitewater Aquatic Center to ensure that swimming could become a sport at Whitewater High School, as well as being utilized by the public.  They awarded numerous scholarships to WHS students to assist with college costs. 

At UW-Whitewater Lolita and Dave supported numerous UW-Whitewater projects to improve the campus. These included the DLK/Kachel Fieldhouse, the Gymnasium in Williams Center, the Kachel Family Sports Complex, the Center for Entrepreneurship in Hyland Hall and the Kachel Center in Young Auditorium. Throughout the years many UW-W students have received scholarships and been employed in various Kachel businesses. 

In 1995 Lolita received the Distinguished UW-W Alumni Award. She and Dave were awarded the UW-W 1990 Service Award, as well as the UW-W Athletic Hall of Fame Distinguished Service Award in 1998.

Lolita and Dave were founding supporters of the Whitewater Food Pantry. Lolita continued supporting numerous community organizations, including the Whitewater Fire Department and Rescue Squad, and Bassett House Federation of Women’s Clubs.

The Methodist Church was an integral part of Lolita’s life.  She was a 71-year member of the First United Methodist Church and a member of Esther Circle. In later years, she watched every Sunday service at home on TV.  Lolita and Dave were also instrumental in the establishment of Whitewater churches’ Bethel House.

Lolita’s greatest joys in later years were visits by her children and grandchildren.

Survivors include her Children: Linda (David Katz) Sherman Oaks, CA; Jon (Terri), Whitewater; David (Trish) Milton, WI; Laurence (Karen) Whitewater; Kerri (Jeff McDonald) Whitewater; Thomas (Jenny) Madison, WI; and Michael (Sonia) Kachel, Whitewater. Grandchildren: Andrew, David Jon, Kristyn, Kaili, Samantha, Max, Molly, Jourden, Madeline, Emery, Camden, and Keaton Kachel. Sisters: Donna Berg, Whitewater; Eunice (Rolf) Grimsrud, Superior, WI and Sister-in-law Mia Matson, Poway, CA. Nieces: Brenda (Berg) Lowry, Appleton, WI; Sandra (Berg) Miller, Madison, WI; Lisa Olberg, Minneapolis, MN; Debra Grimsrud, Superior. WI. Nephews: John Matson, Poway, CA; Donald (Star) Matson, Pasadena, CA. Grandnieces: Logan Lowry; Mia and Zoe Matson. Predeceased family include: Husband David L. Kachel; Parents John B. and Laura E. Matson, Laurence M. and Jessie A. Kachel; Brother John E. Matson and Brother-in-law Rodney D. Berg.

Our heartfelt thanks for the special care provided by the My Care of Wisconsin team, Patti DePorter, RN and Agrace Hospice Care. Many thanks to family, friends and neighbors for their calls, cards and visits.

Funeral services will be held Thursday September 9, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church, 145 S. Prairie Street, Whitewater at 12 noon with visitation at the church from 10 am until noon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to The First United Methodist Church, the Whitewater Food Pantry, or the UW-W Foundation Student Scholarship Fund.