Life Events

Laura (Lollie) Millis Triebold passed away on October 19, 2021 in the comfort of her home and on her own terms following a short bout with cancer.  Laura was born February 1, 1940 to Leslie and Doris (Hunt) Engel, the only one of 9 to live past infancy.  

She attended Campus School (at now UW-Whitewater) from kindergarten through high school, graduating as class valedictorian in 1958.  Schooling continued at Skidmore College in Sarasota Springs, NY with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, graduating in 1962, again as class valedictorian.  Never wanting to stop learning, Laura earned a Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from UW-Whitewater in 1975, and a Master’s degree in Nursing from Marquette University in 1995.

Laura was united in marriage to David Triebold on October 26, 1963.  More schooling was acquired in a hands on manner as the city girl learned how to milk cows, drive a tractor, and master the many other jobs required on a working dairy farm, which eventually transitioned to a crop farm.  Three girls were born into the family: Kathleen in 1964, Kristine in 1966, and Karla in 1967.  All three girls mastered Laura’s ability to balance work and family life, and became strong independent goal oriented women who shared her love of learning.  She never obtained her initial wish for three daughters to work for three different airlines so she could take advantage of the family travel discounts. Instead, she gained three professionals: an accountant, a doctor, and a lawyer.  

Laura loved to work, be it in the nursing field, the farming field or the rental property field.  Her work life began in 1962 as the head nurse of Pediatric Surgery at the Presbyterian Hospital (now Rush Memorial) where she stayed until her marriage to Dave.  From 1967-1971, she was a Visiting Nurse for Walworth County.  In 1971, she became an instructor for the LPN program at the Madison Area Technical College-Fort Atkinson campus.  Laura retired in 1999 after 28 years of teaching.  While teaching for MATC, she was honored to be invited by the NCLEX Association to write for the National LPN exam not once, but twice.  Laura took pride in her nursing students, wanting them to succeed in life by empowering them to work hard to obtain their goals, and to believe in themselves, which helped propel them into becoming exemplary, caring nurses.

After her official retirement, Lollie continued working with Dave on the farm, as well as managing their rental properties.  Her relaxation consisted of planting and watering her flowers during the spring and summer, writing “Burt Letters,” and schooling and kicking her family’s derriere in Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.  She enjoyed planning traveling trips both domestic and international.  Destinations included most of the 50 states, the Caribbean, Central America, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, Thailand, and Russia.  For the past 20 years, Torremolinos, Spain became a favorite wintertime destination.  New friends were made on every trip. Soon, each of the new friends found their name and address inserted into Laura’s infamous and ever growing old-school address card box.  All of these new friends benefited from Laura’s love of correspondence through her Christmas Tabloid newsletter.  In it, she would regale her readers with tales of her life with family and friends on the farm.  She was the wordsmith that kept these many people connected, always slipping in a new vocabulary word or two, which required the use of the good ole Webster’s Dictionary.  Who even knew what the words accoutrements, assiduous, behemoth, bucolic, cloven, paucity, pensive, prognosticators, repertoire, and solace meant?  Thank you Lol for the vocabulary lesson!  These new friends and their extended families from around the world always had an open invitation to spend time on “The Triebold Farm,” enjoying Dave and Laura’s hospitality.  

Laura is survived by her husband David; 3 daughters, Kathleen (Jeff) Markham, Kristine (Phil) Welter, Karla (Jeff) Mortara; 6 grandchildren, JJ (Jess), Josie (Wyatt), Kristina, Keira, Alexandra, and Andrew.  The grandkids were forbidden to call her grandma as she was never old enough to be a grandma, instead, she was Lollie.  

Memorials for Laura should be sent to the Whitewater Food Pantry, iHOPE (www.yai.org/iHOPE), Lauderdale LaGrange Fire Department.

In Lollie’s honor, a traditional “Triebold Farms” party will be held in the Summer of 2022.

Special thanks to “Laura’s Ladies” – the caregivers that helped all of us through the last few months, Karen, Lisa, Donna, Elizabeth, Kelly, Nikki, and Anne, and Rainbow Hospice. 

Nitardy Funeral Home is aiding the family. Online condolences may be made at nitardyfuneralhome.com

Jean H. (Peterson) Nielsen, 92, of Dousman, WI passed away on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at Lake Country Health and Rehab Center with her loving family by her side.

Jean was born on August 12, 1929 in Kaukauna, WI the daughter of Allen and Lydia (Mahn) Peterson. She spent her childhood in Kaukauna and then moved to Maywood, IL and graduated from Proviso High School. After high school, Jean worked as a buyer for Sears in Chicago and then was transferred to Appleton, WI. Jean married LeRoy Deno and the two were blessed with four loving daughters. Jean later married Harold Nielsen and the two would go on to enjoy many years of marriage together until his passing in 1991. In addition to raising four children, Jean worked in a few different capacities during her life. She owned and operated the Edge of Town Café in Palmyra for a number of years and then worked as a chef at Fort Atkinson Hospital until her retirement. Jean was kind. She cared for others and had a good sense of humor even in her final days. Her loving family will remember her example of positivity even through her long battle with cancer and other medical issues. A fond saying, she shared with others “always keep up your gumption.” Jean was a member of St. John’s Evan. Lutheran Church in Whitewater for a number of years and her faith meant a lot to her. Above all else in her life was her love for her family. She was a proud mother, grandma and great-grandma and she will be dearly missed by those she leaves behind.

She is survived by: her two loving daughters, Pamela (Wesley) Jones of Pretty Lake, and Patricia Deno of Pretty Lake; her dear grandchildren, Brenda (Zach Perez) Jones of Okauchee Lake, and David (Rebecca) Jones of Whitewater; and her two dear great-grandchildren, Felix and Vivian. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

She is preceded in death by: her husband, Harold Nielsen; the father of her children, LeRoy Deno; two dear children, Sandra and Barbara Deno, and her siblings Charlotte (Harold) Coenen, Russell (Nona) Peterson and Thomas (Sharon) Peterson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Evan. Lutheran Church of Whitewater, ProHealth Care Foundation, or the Macular Degeneration Research at UW-Madison Hospital.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to all of Jean’s healthcare providers for the wonderful care they provided Jean over the years.

A Funeral Service to honor Jean’s life will be held at 4:00 P.M. on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Sullivan, WI (W407 US-18, Sullivan, WI 53178). Pastor Dean Zemple will officiate the service. Visitation will take place from 2:00 P.M. until the time of service at the church. Jean will be laid to rest next to her husband in Highland Memorial Park of Appleton at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, October 27, 2021.

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

James Roland “Jim” McVeigh, 92, of Whitewater passed away on October 16, 2021 at Rainbow Hospice Inpatient Center in Johnson Creek.

Jim was born on March 13, 1929 to the late John and Anna Frances (O’Bryan) McVeigh in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from East Troy High School in 1947. On April 15, 1950 Jim married Joan Smart at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Eagle, WI.  Jim and Joan raised their 7 children in Eagle, WI before moving to Palmyra where they lived for 44 years. He worked at Waukesha Motors as a machinist for 29 years until retirement. Jim’s enjoyments included RV camping, golfing, and hunting. He also enjoyed playing cards with family and friends, his model railroading hobby and was an avid Packer and Badger fan. Jim was a member of Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Whitewater. Jim was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who loved spending time with his family.

He is survived by his children, Robert (Deborah) McVeigh, Denver, CO, Thomas (Patricia Scott) McVeigh, Smithville, MO, James (Linda) McVeigh, Palmyra, Timothy McVeigh, Palmyra, Margaret (David) Fargo, La Crosse, WI, Daniel McVeigh, Janesville, WI, Richard McVeigh, Fort Atkinson, WI; 13 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren and his sister-in-law, Mary Ellen McVeigh.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Joan; three brothers, Jack McVeigh, William McVeigh, Robert McVeigh; and two sisters, Margaret Masi, and Anna Maude Reek.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church 1225 W. Main St., Whitewater, WI 53190 or may be attended virtually at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/5331452566.  Burial will follow at the Oak Knoll Cemetery, Eagle, WI.  Friends may call at the church on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service.  As an expression of sympathy you may wish to consider memorials to Rainbow Hospice, Jefferson, WI.

Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Kenneth H. “Ken” Rowley of Whitewater, Wisconsin died on October 15^th, 2021 at the age of 87. Ken was born and lived for 75 years on the family farm in Richmond Township, WI; after which he moved to Prairie Village in Whitewater, WI.

Ken attended eight grades at Finch country school. He graduated from Whitewater City High School and from the Agricultural Short Course at the UW-Madison College of Agriculture. Ken was active in Future Farmers of America and 4-H. He received numerous honors in both culminating in attending 4-H Club Congress in Chicago and receiving the FFA “American Farmer” degree in Kansas City. On June 19^th, 1954, Ken married Nancy Wilbur in Whitewater. Four sons were born to Ken and Nancy and they enjoyed 67 years of marriage. Ken was a dedicated farmer, or “agriculturist” as he sometimes said. He was a long-time Farm Bureau member and served that organization as a Director and as County President for many years. The Farm Bureau prides itself on being “The Voice of Agriculture” and Ken vocalized that point of view to many organizations, often the only one there to speak for farmers.

Ken was an active, life-time member of the Methodist Church working on innumerable committees. He served as chairman of the Administrative Council for many years.

Ken is survived by his wife, Nancy; two sons, Kenneth (Debbie) of W.Suffield, CT and Curtis (Sally) of Whitewater; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, Harold and Mae Rowley; two sons, Russell and Richard and his sister and brother-in-law Laurene and Bill Keech.

In the Methodist Church in Whitewater, Ken’s life will be celebrated. Pastor Don Norman will officiate at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 21^st, 2021 following a visitation from 10 to 11. Interment will be at the Richmond Cemetery following the funeral service.

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

Lonnie “Rip” Ripley, 74, Whitewater, passed away on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at Wellington Meadows, Fort Atkinson after a courageous 4 year battle with cancer.  He was born on December 10, 1946 in Elkhorn, WI.  Lonnie was a lifelong Whitewater resident and attended Whitewater High School.  He enlisted in the United States Navy and served several tours in Vietnam from 1964-1967.  Upon returning to Whitewater, he spent his entire career working for various printing companies and retiring from Freedom Graphics Systems in Milton, WI.  

Lonnie’s favorite pastimes included fishing, Gus’s Pizza, Green Bay Packers, Rock ‘N’ Roll and more fishing.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Lois and Clark Johnson; sister-in-law, Connie Ripley and brother, Donald Ripley.  He is survived by his brother, Mike; Sister, Leanne (Bob) Breckler; brother, Jamie (Dixie) Ripley; daughter, Donna Ripley; son, Lonnie Ripley; step-daughter, Angela Marie Wintlend.   

A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 7, 2021 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St., Whitewater, WI 53190.  Online condolences may be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com