Life Events

On the evening of Monday, June 28, 2021, Elizabeth (Beth) Eachor, 98, passed away peacefully in Whitewater, Wisconsin, in the company of her dear friend, Allen Grady.

Beth was born on April 21, 1923 to Edwin and Anna Harris Boyd on their family farm outside of Whitewater. Beth was active in 4-H as a youth and later as a 4-H leader. She met Francis (Fran) Eachor in March 1938 while performing in a 4-H play that he helped to direct, and they courted for the next five years. Beth graduated from Whitewater City High School in 1940. On June 7, 1943, Beth and Fran were married in a double ceremony that included her elder sister Sarah and brother-in-law Vincent Stubbs.

Beth and Fran had three daughters: Annette, Nancy, and Linda. As a family, they enjoyed taking road trips each summer to explore historic sites throughout the United States, including the Gulf Coast, where Beth and Fran would eventually spend their retirement. Unconventionally for her time, Beth resumed her education after having her children, earning her B.A. from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater. Beth’s teaching career started in Rock County, and she taught in Fort Atkinson until her retirement in 1981.

Following her retirement, Beth and her husband started a new chapter in their lives when they moved from Fort Atkinson to Spanish Cove in Lillian, Alabama. For thirty happy years, Beth lived a full life in retirement, enjoying frequent cross-country trips in the family camper with Fran as they traveled to visit relatives in such far-flung places as Wisconsin, New York, and California. For entertainment, they loved visiting with friends and attending square dances, often in matching outfits made by Beth herself. Following Fran’s passing in 1990, Beth devoted more time to her community and friends, becoming active in the Baldwin Literature Council as a tutor and joining the Red Hat Society. Her pioneer spirit compelled her to travel the world extensively as a member of the South Alabama Senior Travelers, visiting Alaska, Hawaii, France, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Sicily, Italy, Wales, Ireland, Spain, Bermuda, Canada, Austria, Scotland, Panama, Costa Rica, Columbia, Mexico, the Bahamas, Curaçao, Nova Scotia, Australia, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Russia, Finland, and Switzerland.

The proud descendent of Scotch-Irish Presbyterians who founded the North Lima Presbyterian Church in 1850, Beth made her Christian faith a cornerstone of her family’s life. In her retirement, she was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Foley, Alabama, serving in many different capacities: Elder, Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, Presbyterian Women member, and Stephen Minister. She was awarded a Life Membership in Presbyterian Women for her leadership skills.

In 2011, Beth returned to Whitewater, where she resided at Fairhaven. During her time there, she enjoyed participating in many activities. This included providing interviews to UW Whitewater students about her time as an elementary school teacher. Until the start of the pandemic made such interactions impossible, she was still sharing her love of teaching with UW students. Beth also became a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ and their Women’s Group. Further, she was active in the Alpha Minnieska Club, part of the Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs, and she was also a member of the Wisconsin Education Association.

Beth was a strong and loving matriarch who provided her family with a sense of continuity across both time and space: she preserved ancestral memories through the stories and mementos she passed down to her children and grandchildren, and she traveled all over the US, visiting family until well into her 80s. Although she would not have considered herself a feminist, the way in which she balanced career and family, and her determination to continue living a full life following the passing of her husband, seems more in keeping with the social attitudes of younger generations than those of her contemporaries. Beth thoroughly enjoyed socializing and playing cards, and she was always impeccably dressed for every occasion, her outfits coordinated to the smallest detail. Throughout her life, Beth cherished her relationships with her many faithful and steadfast friends. She also believed in caring for those who were unwell or in need, and she lived this belief by being attentive to sick friends and family and by donating to various charities. She brought great joy to family and friends, and she will be greatly missed.

Beth was preceded in death by her husband, Francis, her sister, Sarah Stubbs, of Whitewater, and her daughter, Annette Setka, of Garrison, TX. Survivors include daughters Nancy (Kenn) Bailey of Hollister, CA and Linda (Terry) Floeter of Portage, WI; grandchildren Trisha Garcia, Tanja (Wyatt) Edenfield, Monique (Michael) Wicker, Jessica (Scott) Stellmacher, Elizabeth (Bryan) Miller, Stella Setka (Ethan Alexander), Nicholas (Amy) Bailey, Robert Bailey, and James Floeter; great-grandchildren Niko Garcia, Nathan Wicker, Colton Wicker, Carter Wicker, Ava Stellmacher, William Miller, Madisen Miller, Brinkley Miller, Benjamin Edenfield, Vivian Edenfield, Emma Bailey, Zelda Alexander, and J. Wilder Alexander.

Beth’s family would like to offer special thanks to Allen Grady, her very dear friend, whose kindness and companionship brought Beth much joy during her years at Fairhaven.

A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, September 10, 2021 at Nitardy Funeral Home in Whitewater. Visitation begins at 10 a.m., with a service to follow at 11. Interment will take place immediately after the service at Hillside cemetery in Whitewater. The family asks for donations in lieu of flowers addressed to:

Friends of Fairhaven
Attn:  Beth Johnson
435 W. Starin Rd
Whitewater, WI 53190

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

Laurie J Deegan, 65, of Whitewater passed away on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at her home surrounding her loving family.

Laurie was born on November 7, 1955 to William and Clara Brzezinski. She grew up in Greenwood, Wisconsin where she met her husband, Ron Deegan. On November 25, 1971 Ron married Laurie and together they moved to Whitewater.

She loved reading books, solving puzzles, being in her flower garden, going for long walks, and later in life spending time with her four grandchildren. For years, she was in the Whitewater bowling league, horseshoe league, and dartball league.

Laurie is survived by her husband, Ron Deegan; daughter, Jenny (Jim) James; four grandchildren, Angelo James, Luke James, Genevieve James, Joseph James; seven sisters and one brother.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Clara Brzezinski; and son, Jesse Deegan.

A memorial service for Laurie will take place at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 12, 2021 at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St., Whitewater, WI 53190. A visitation will take place from 11 a.m. until the time of service.

The family would like to give special thanks to Rainbow Hospice staff for their exceptional care for Laurie.

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

Alice P. Autry (Markham), age 70, of Silver Spring, Maryland succumbed to the effects of a long illness on July 3. “Patty” to her friends and family is survived by her husband of 42 years David, their son Michael and his wife Krista, three grandchildren Piper, Nora, and Connor of Gaithersburg, Maryland, and four sisters: Beth (Elizabeth Ann) Catania of Bedford, Virginia; Phyllis Shepherd of Portland, Oregon; Jane Markham, of Port Washington, Wisconsin; and Sharon Hahn, of Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Ms. Autry attended high school in Whitewater, Wisconsin and earned a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee. She retired from the Montgomery County, Maryland public schools, where she delighted in helping children with their communication skills.

Gloria M. Weigandt, age 98, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at Fairhaven Residential Facility in Whitewater. She was born on November 10, 1922, in Oshkosh, the daughter of Carl and Minnie (Schenk) Plonsky. Gloria attended Oshkosh public schools and received a bachelor’s degree from Wisconsin State Teachers College – Oshkosh (now UW-Oshkosh). She earned additional graduate credits at UW-Madison.

After graduation, she taught English composition and American literature at Shawano High School, where she met a physical education teacher and basketball coach named Robert (Bob) Weigandt, whom she married on July 30, 1949. The next year, she, Bob, and their newborn son moved to Whitewater where Bob accepted a position as teacher and coach at Wisconsin State Teachers College – Whitewater (now UW-Whitewater).

After raising two sons, Gloria resumed her teaching career at Whitewater High School where she taught for an additional fifteen years. Gloria was an active member of First English Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday school, served on the Altar Guild, and played the organ. She also served as organist at Heart Prairie Lutheran Chapel where she played an antique pump organ, and she taught piano lessons to local children in Whitewater. Gloria believed strongly in social activism and participated in many organizations including League of Women Voters, Faculty Dames, and Delta Kappa Gamma, honorary society for professional women educators. She loved to walk throughout Whitewater even into her 90’s and enjoyed chance conversations with neighbors and university students.

Gloria is survived by her two sons, David (Susan) Weigandt of Richland Center, and Paul (Susan Burleigh) of Costa Rica. She is further survived by her two grandsons, Robert of Rhinelander and Jacob of Copper Harbor, Michigan, as well as special friends Kathy Gibbs and Bill and Ruby Davis.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother Fred.

A future memorial service will be held at Fairhaven and private burial will later take place at Hillside Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Lutheran Social Services.

The family would also like to thank the wonderful staff at Fairhaven, Hearthstone, and Agrace hospice for their compassionate care of Mom.

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

Stephanie Sielicki, 68, Whitewater passed away on Sunday, July 4, 2021 at Fairhaven Senior Living in Whitewater, WI.

Stephanie was born on September 17, 1952 in Fort Atkinson, WI to John and Donna (Kondroczuk) Sielicki.  She graduated from Whitewater High School.  Stephanie retired from Northwestern Mutual after many years of service.  Stephanie also worked for many years at Randy’s Supper Club. She enjoyed traveling.  Paris and Savannah, GA were her favorite destinations. She loved all animals, especially dogs.  She loved food, purses and jewelry in that order.

She is survived by her sister Mary Rutkowski, Greendale, WI; Nephew Jason Rutkowski; Nieces Sarah Zaja, Jessica Sielicki, Angela Collins.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Marvin Sielicki.

Private Services will be held at Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater with burial at Calvary Cemetery in Whitewater, WI.  Online condolences may be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com. 

Laura Jean Petitt, 38, Whitewater, passed away peacefully and is finally at rest in Heaven.  She was the beloved wife and best friend of Justin; precious mom of Carson, who was her whole life; daughter of David and Debra Britton; daughter-in-law of Melodee and Gene Carey and Terry and Sue Petitt; granddaughter of Dorothy and the late Myron Britton; granddaughter of the late Representative Robert Behnke and Dolores Behnke; granddaughter of Melvin and Judy Storck; dear sister of Samantha Ellefson, Christine and Casey Stauff, Kayla Carey, Shawn Carey, Jon Petitt and Justina Petitt. She is further survived by countless relatives and friends. Laura, you were greatly loved and will be forever in our hearts. Laura will always be watching her boys and cheering Carson from Heaven.  

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, July 9, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. at the Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb Street, Whitewater 53190. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 4:00 p.m. until the time of the service.  As an expression of sympathy, you may wish to consider memorials to FCCU for a scholarship fund for her son Carson Petitt. 

Online condolences may be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com. Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater is assisting the family. 

Eva Susan Borenitsch
October 19, 2014 ~ June 28, 2021 (age 6)

Waunakee – Eva Susan Borenitsch had a wonderful life. In six years, she shared and received more love and joy than most could experience in 100 years.

Everything about Eva was special, and she made everyone around her feel the same. Even though Rett Syndrome caused her to communicate differently, she used a combination of technology, giggles and hugs to let you know how she felt.

She was her Mom’s snuggler, her Dad’s running buddy and her brother’s biggest fan. Smiles came easy for Eva, especially if it involved a family Brewers game, an afternoon swim with her brother in the pool (her happy place), or a chocolate cupcake.

Eva’s family would like to thank everyone who helped make her life so full, including her team at the Waisman Center, especially therapists Sarah and Annette; teachers, aides and staff at Prairie Elementary in Waunakee; the staff at Gio’s Garden; and her home aide and special friend Claire.

Eva continues to be loved by her parents Jim and Emily and brother Elliot; her grandparents Ken and Susan Kidd, Richard and Kim Borenitsch, and Barbara Borenitsch; aunt Ali (Nick) Suttman and cousins Benjamin, Andrew, and Jillian; uncle Stephen (Ashley) Kidd and cousin Shep; aunts Jenna Waligorski and Olivia Waligorski, along with many other friends, family and classmates. She is preceded in her passing by her aunt Jessica Borenitsch.

A celebration of life will be held at Winn-Cress Funeral Home in Waunakee at a later date. Details are forthcoming, but we ask guests to consider dressing in pink or purple, just as Eva would have done.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made to the Waisman Center in memory of Eva. Donations will support the Communication Aids & Systems clinic (CASC), which gave Eva a voice, and programs to bring joy and fun to all kiddos with exceptional needs.

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com

Winn-Cress Funeral Home
5785 Hwy Q
Waunakee, WI

Mary Teresa (Stefancin) Meikle, age 87 of Whitewater passed away on June 16, 2021 in Madison.

Mary was born in Kingston, Pennsylvania on February 19, 1934, daughter of Joseph J. and Mary M. (Rusnak) Stefancin. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation at West Chester State University Pennsylvania and a master’s degree at Marquette University Wisconsin. Her graduate work was done at University of Oslo, Norway and University of Wisconsin Whitewater.

She taught elementary and middle school physical education and health in Butler, Pennsylvania from 1956 to 1958. Mary began the elementary physical education program in Oak Creek, Wisconsin where she taught from 1958 to 1965. From 1965 to 1989, as an assistant professor, she was a member of the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department at University of Wisconsin Whitewater.

On February 7,1967, she and Douglas married. They traveled extensively throughout the five continents. Mary continued to travel after Doug’s death. Other interests included reading, card games, crafts, casino play, and keeping in touch with friends and loved ones.

Mary is survived by her son Douglas Meikle of Green Bay, son in-law Tom Ploessl of Waunakee; grandsons, Eric (Erica) Meikle of Boulder, Colorado, Peter Meike of Minneapolis; great-granddaughters, Elise and Adeline Meikle of Boulder, Colorado; great-grandson Mark Meikle of Boulder, Colorado; sister, Emily (Richard) Snavely of Pennsylvania, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband; daughter, Anne; parents, two brothers, and one grandson.

A memorial mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1225 W. Main Street, Whitewater, WI on June 26, 2021 at 1 p.m. A visitation will take place from 12 p.m until the time of service. A burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the charity of one’s choice.

WALTER A. “WALLY” KINATEDER, age 87 of Jefferson passed away on Saturday, June 19, 2021, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on May 15, 1934, in Palmyra township to Joseph and Anna (Resch) Kinateder.

He graduated from University High School in 1952. Wally honorably served in the United States Army with the artillery stationed in Germany.

He married Kathleen Szymkowski on February 4, 1961, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Whitewater. Wally was employed as a Supervisor at the Jefferson County Highway Department for over 30 years until his retirement.

Wally always considered himself a country boy at heart loving nothing more than helping his son on the farm and driving his Oliver 88. Wally enjoyed collecting toy tractors and woodworking.

He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church serving on the church council and the Knights of Columbus. Wally was generous with his spare time volunteering many years with St. Vincent DePaul in Jefferson, Meals on Wheels, and even knitting stocking hats for the Homeless in Milwaukee.

He is survived by his wife Kathleen “Kaye,” sons Gary (Melanie) Kinateder of Aurora CO, Steven (Debra) Kinateder of Helenville and Bruce (Shareen) Kinateder of Whitewater; grandchildren Adam, Alex and Andrew Kinateder, Lucas (Lindsay) Kinateder, Emily Kinateder, Megan Kinateder, Alisha (Jerry) Miller, Tasha (Anthony) Alcorta, Alexander (Rebekah) Olson and Talia Olson; great-grandchildren Rosalie and Daisy Olson, and Elias and Ardath Alcorta; sister Alice Thomas of Waukesha.

Wally is preceded by his parents; son Philip Kinateder; brothers Joseph Kinateder, John Kinateder and Herbert Kinateder; sisters Helen Gerlach and Rosella Kinateder.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, at the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jefferson with the Rev. Thomas Coyle officiating. Burial will follow in the Parish Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass.

Those wishing to send a donation in Wally’s name may direct them to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. The family wishes to especially thank Father Tom Coyle for his prayers for Wally.

Please visit www.schneidermichaelisfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence and share a memory.