Life Events

Beverly Jane (Patefield) Roehl, 89, Whitewater died on Thursday, September 30, 2021 at Fairhaven Senior Living, Whitewater. 

Beverly was born on October 4, 1931 in Fort Atkinson.  She was the daughter of Arthur and Bernice Patefield.  Beverly was confirmed and became an active member of the Friedens Evangelical and Reformed Church in 1946.  She graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 1949.  Beverly married Gordon E. Roehl on September 22, 1951 at the First Methodist Church, Fort Atkinson.  She worked for the State of Wisconsin at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for 34 years as a secretary in the Admissions office and later as an Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Chancellor for Administrative.  Her job was a labor of love.  She retired in 1998 and after retirement she traveled to Hawaii, Great Britain and Europe.  Beverly volunteered at the Milton Public Library for ten years and the Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital.  She was a reading companion for several students in the Whitewater School District.  Beverly was a current member of the Whitewater Congregational UCC after being a member and organist of the North Lima Presbyterian Church for nearly 50 years.  She also was a substitute organist at many other churches in the area.  Beverly sang with and was a past president of the Milton Choral Union, the Beloit/Janesville Symphony Chorus and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Community Chorus.  She was a member of the piano trio that performed at retirement and nursing homes in the Milton/Janesville area.  Family was always the most important part of her life, but music provided the expression of love and emotions.  She organized and performed in the Fairhaven Music Soirees for 4 years.  Beverly was also an avid reader and card player.  She loved to crochet and made afghans for her children, nieces, nephews and hospital babies.  She is survived by her son, Roger Alan Roehl of Bruce, WI; her loving grandson Nicholas Edward Roehl of Milton, WI; her daughter-in-law, Jodelle “Jodi” of Janesville, and her step-grandson, Chris Jones.  Other survivors include estranged grandson, Nathan T. Roehl of Janesville; a foster son, Mohammed “Ben” (Sandra) Ariss of Mukwonago; foster granddaughters, Sara (Carl) Ariss Hackbarth; great-grandchildren; sisters: Shirley Gebhardt and Helen (Chuck) Sayre; Katherine Ariss and numerous nephews and nieces.  She was preceded in death by her husband Gordon in 1990; son, Gregory Arthur in 2011; parents; and three brothers: Russell A., Douglas J., and Jerome “Romie.”

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, October 8, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St., Whitewater, WI 53190.  Inurnment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Atkinson.  Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service.  As an expression of sympathy you may wish to consider memorials to Fairhaven Senior Living, Whitewater.  Online condolences may be made at nitardyfuneralhome.com

Cheryl “Sherry” Lea Chapin age 69 passed away after a long battle of illnesses, on September 23, 2021 at Mercy Hospital, with her loving family by her side.

Cheryl was born to Frank “Bud” and Gladys “Rudolph” Shearer on October 9, 1951 in Elkhorn WI. She was raised in Palmyra Wisconsin.

She met and married the love of her life Joseph Chapin. They married in Jefferson Wisconsin October 21 1988. They settled in Elkhorn WI, where they still live today. She worked at Continental Plastics in Delavan WI.

Cheryl had many passions; when she was healthy she loved to hike, do yardwork, baking, decorating for the holidays and cleaning her house. She loved flowers, shopping and taking a trip to the casino. But most of all she loved spending time with her family and spoiling the ones she loved. She had an old soul and a heart of gold.

Cheryl is survived by her husband Joseph Chapin of Elkhorn WI. Her sisters: Mary “Jerry” Walker Richmond WI, Dorothy Shearer of Jefferson WI, Gail Shearer of Jefferson WI, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in her death by her son Dallas. Her parents Frank and Gladys Shearer. Her brothers, Eugene “Bucky” Shearer and Clyde Jaquith.

A celebration of life will take place on October 9th at 1:00 PM at the Community Center at Tremain Mobile Park. N2639 County Rd Z Dousman WI 53118.

Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

MaryLou (Joosten) Rogers passed away peacefully on Saturday afternoon, September 11, 2021, in Fitchburg, Wis., at the age of 93, with her family by her side.

She was born December 15, 1927, to Eulalia (Markee) and Louis Joosten in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., the youngest of their seven children, and was raised in nearby Rudolph. Most remarkable about her young life, MaryLou would often recall, were two things: A cross-country band trip with her sisters that took them all to Washington, D.C., a very young MaryLou playing the cymbals and passing the hat; and perhaps the proudest achievement—that each of the seven Joosten children, including she and her four sisters, earned their college degrees during a time when it was especially uncommon for women to do so. Education and literacy were lifelong passions, and MaryLou’s penchant for proper grammar was a source of great pleasure to her friends and family. She was a voracious reader, New York Times crossword puzzle solver, Scrabble and bridge player.

MaryLou graduated as valedictorian from Rudolph High School in 1945, then attended UW-Whitewater. She was a member of the Alpha Sigma Sorority and graduated in 1949 with a degree in business. In 1950, she married Alan “Pete” Rogers in Whitewater where they raised four children.

In 1973, Mary Lou moved to Amery, Wis., where she first worked as a transcriptionist and later became office manager at Apple River Memorial Hospital. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Amery, where she played the piano and organ, worked at church events, and helped with bookkeeping.

She moved back to Whitewater after retirement and later moved to Heritage Senior Living in Middleton, Wis.

MaryLou is survived by her children Carol (Dave) Miller, Waunakee; Peter (Sheree) Rogers, Venice, Florida; Todd (Pamela) Rogers, Auburn, Alabama; and Christopher Rogers, Waunakee. She is also survived by grandchildren Ryan Miller, Todd (Meg) Miller, Katherine Rogers, Jennifer (Benny) DeBruin, Jason Smith, Madison Rogers, Nicholas Rogers, Abigail Rogers, Danielle Rogers, and three great grandchildren: Jackson, Bodhi and Eamon Miller.

MaryLou now rejoins her family in passing; her parents Eulalia and Louis, and her beloved sisters and brothers Janet, Beryl, Gloria, Joan, Jackie, and Bruce.

There will be a private family service and she will be interred at Amery Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests gifts in MaryLou’s memory be made to the Amery Area Public Library, 225 Scholl Ct., Amery, WI 54001; or The Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org.

MaryLou’s family would like to thank the many caregivers and medical professionals who assisted her in her journey with Alzheimer’s disease, especially the staff at Heritage Senior Living, St. Mary’s Hospital, and Agrace Hospice. You represent your profession well and are making a positive difference in the lives of those in your care.

Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Keith A. Strait, 77, Whitewater passed away on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at Alden Estates in Jefferson, WI.

Keith was born on December 31, 1943 in Elkhorn, WI to Francis and Helen (McNamer) Strait.  He graduated from Whitewater High School in 1963 and received his Bachelor’s Degree in education from UW-Whitewater.  While in college he served his country in the United States Naval Reserves.  He was activated during the Vietnam War and was stationed in San Diego, CA.  He married Kaylene Hutcheson on January 21, 1967 in Whitewater.  Keith taught for 36 years and for 35 of those years he taught for the Whitewater Unified School District as a fifth and sixth grade teacher.  He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, travel and reading and spending time with his grandchildren.  Keith was an active member of the St. John Masonic Lodge in Whitewater and served four terms as the Worshipful Master.     

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Kaylene; sons: Quinn (Amy) Strait, MN, Cale (Tasha) Strait, MN; grandchildren: Laila, Tenzin, Fiona, Zay, Cade, and Wynn; siblings: Barbara Moore, Black River Falls, Marion Halverson, Kenosha, Marlyn (Roger) Buswell, Beloit, and Gordon Strait, Albany.  He was preceded in death by his parents; son Kyle; brothers: Ray, Kermit, Stewart and sister Mildred Pester.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 12:00pm at Nitardy Funeral Home 550 N. Newcomb St. Whitewater, WI 53190.  Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery, Whitewater.  Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 10:00am until the time of the service.  As an expression of sympathy you may wish to consider memorials to the St. John Masonic Lodge in Keith’s honor.    

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

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.  

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

“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 8^th 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